Frequency of Visiting and Food Dollars Spent at Carryouts Among Low-Income, Urban African American Adults

Americans are eating out more frequently and spending more money on food consumed away from home. Though a growing body of research has examined consumer behavior at franchised fast-food restaurants, little attention has focused on carryouts (food establishments selling ready-to-eat food and beverages for off-premises consumption). Low-income, urban African American adults eat out an average of 4.1 times each week and 78% were at local carryout restaurants (3.2 times each week). At each carryout visit, they spend an average of $10.30. Given the frequency of visiting and food dollars spent at carryouts, this may be an important venue for intervening to improve dietary habits among low-income African American adults.