ANALYSIS OF QUICK-SERVE, MID-SCALE, AND UP-SCALE FOOD AWAY FROM HOME EXPENDITURES

U.S. households spend nearly one-half of their food budget for food away from home (FAFH) with an increasing share for fast-food facilities. These trends can impact the structure of the food distribution industry, nutritional intake of U.S. households, and demand for goods at the farm level. This analysis investigates the effects of socioeconomic and demographic variables, both on the decision to consume FAFH by facility and on the decision of how much to spend on FAFH by facility. Based on National Panel Diary data, three facility types are considered: quick-serve, mid-scale, and up-scale