Appetizers Boom In Worrying Sign For The Economy

A new semi-scientific recession indicator just dropped: surging appetizer sales. Restaurant-goers are loading up on apps like there’s no tomorrow, CNBC reported this week, based on data from Buyers Edge Platform, a company that helps eateries source ingredients.

Mozz stick index

Buyers Edge attributes what it dubbed the “appetizer economy” to budget-conscious eaters forgoing pricey entrees and dessert and opting instead for finger foods that often come with promotions and drink specials:

• Sales of mozzarella sticks, pickle chips, and cheese curds—dishes notorious for denting the appetite for the main course—are up by about a third in 2025 compared to last year.
• Meanwhile, dessert orders dropped 2% over the same period.

The Great Appetizer Awakening comes as Americans increasingly feel the bite of inflation when eating out. The price of a meal at a full-service restaurant was up 4.2% in September compared to a year before, according to government data.

Big picture: The trend fits into the so-called K-shaped economy, in which wealthier people continue to spend, while lower-income consumers tighten their belts. For instance, the New York Times recently reported that online pizza orders have declined, while Papa John’s customers are opting for smaller pies and fewer toppings. Sagging sales are potentially caused by the proliferation of competing options on delivery apps and weight loss drugs—but are also a sign that many diners might be struggling to afford even relatively inexpensive indulgences.—SK