Restaurants Love Valentines Day

WASHINGTONThe nations restaurants will be feeling the Valentines Day love this year, as more than 70 million Americans will celebrate the love holiday by dining out, according to results of a new survey by the National Restaurant Association.

When choosing a restaurant for Valentines Day, consumers top three deciding factors are the familiarity of a favorite eatery, a romantic setting and special menu offerings. Younger adults are more likely to enjoy a special Valentines Day meal at a restaurant than older adults; 33 percent of 18- to 34-year olds, and 39 percent of 35- to 44-year olds plan to dine out for a Valentines Day meal, compared with 27 percent of those 55 and older.

When it comes to factors involved in choosing where to dine out for Valentines Day, 42 percent of consumers pick their favorite restaurant or their companions favorite restaurant for their special meal; 21 percent select a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere; 12 percent choose restaurants that offer special menus or promotions; 12 percent let their companions pick the venue; and 11 percent choose a restaurant where they havent dined.

Thirty-nine percent of 18- to 34-year olds said a romantic atmosphere is important versus only 8 percent of those 65 and older.

The association also surveyed member restaurants on what type of promotions they would offer around Valentines Day. The most common responses included special menu items (63 percent), prix fixe menu (45 percent), celebratory beverages or desserts (34 percent), flower/candy (28 percent), and entertainment/music (13 percent). Interestingly, 63 percent considered Valentines Day falling on a Mondaya typically slower day of the weekan advantage.