Dining Out Isn’t Slowing Down in Florida — Here’s Where We Rank

If it feels like your dinner tab has gotten bigger — you’re right.

But here’s the twist: even with inflation concerns and higher menu prices, Floridians are still dining out at some of the highest levels in the country.

A new report from Paris-based Trace One, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, shows Florida ranking among the top states for both overall food spending and dining-out expenses since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Let’s break it down.

How Much Are Floridians Spending?

Florida ranks:

• #8 nationally for total food purchases
  ➝ Average household spending: $1,710 per month

• #8 nationally for dining out
  ➝ Average household spending: $990 per month

• #17 nationally for groceries
  ➝ Average household spending: $720 per month

Translation: nearly $1,000 a month per household is going to restaurants alone.

That puts Florida ahead of Colorado and Rhode Island — and just behind Texas and New York.

The Post-Pandemic Surge

Since 2019, Florida’s spending increases have outpaced national averages:

• Grocery spending: Up 41.4%
  (National average: 28.3%)

• Total food spending: Up 45.2%
  (National average: 37.6%)

• Dining out: Up 48.1%
  (National average: 45.8%)

So despite headlines about inflation fatigue and Americans questioning whether dining out is “worth it,” Florida households are spending more than ever.

Is There Really a “Restaurant Apocalypse”?

You may have seen chatter about restaurant closures across Florida — including well-known chains like Bahama Breeze, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and Denny’s.

But the hard numbers tell a different story.

According to the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants:

• Active food licenses (restaurants, food trucks, catering, etc.) grew to 68,240 by December 2025.

• That’s an increase of 2,069 licenses year-over-year.

Meanwhile, data from the National Restaurant Association and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association show:

• Restaurant locations increased from 41,366 in 2018
  to 48,516 in 2024
  ➝ An increase of 7,150 locations.

That doesn’t look like collapse — it looks like expansion.

Why Florida Is Different

Hospitality experts point to a few key drivers:

1️⃣ Population Growth

Florida continues to attract new residents — many of them higher-income households relocating from other states.

More residents = more dining demand.

Lifestyle Factor

There’s a long-standing saying in Florida: when people move here, they don’t use their kitchen as much.

Between outdoor living, warm weather, and social culture, eating out becomes part of the lifestyle.

Consumer Evolution

Restaurant operators say success now depends on adapting.

Younger consumers are drinking less alcohol.
Health-conscious dining is up.
Value perception matters more than ever.

Those that innovate are growing.
Those that don’t are closing.

What This Means for Naples

For Southwest Florida — especially Naples — this trend aligns with what we’re seeing locally:

• Full patios in season

• Expanded restaurant footprints

• Continued new concept openings

• More demand for experiential dining

Even as shoppers become more price-conscious at grocery stores (splitting trips between Publix, Walmart and Aldi), dining out remains a priority spend for many households.

Florida currently trails only Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Nevada, California, Massachusetts, New York and Texas in dining-out spending.

That’s elite company.

The Bottom Line

Inflation may be squeezing budgets — but in Florida, dining out isn’t disappearing.

It’s evolving.

Spending is up nearly 50% since 2019.
Restaurant licenses are growing.
And new operators are still bullish on expansion.

If anything, Florida’s restaurant scene isn’t shrinking — it’s reshaping.