The real reason why Americans eat so much fast food — and it’s got nothing to do with cost or cravings

A new report is dishing out the real reason people keep getting takeout.

Grocery store prices are rising, it’s getting more expensive to dine out and people are resorting to fast-casual food — but not because of the prices.

New data revealed that Americans rely on picking up fast-casual food for meals, but it has nothing to do with cost or the food itself.

Fast-casual dining data from Morning Consult found that the main motivation is simply exhaustion.

According to the report, 40% of fast-casual eaters choose to do so because they are too tired to cook at home, making it the single largest entry point in the category.

“Fast casual isn’t chosen for adventure — it’s chosen for relief,” the report said.

Five Guys and Raising Cane’s were a top choice among consumers too tired to cook, according to the data, while CAVA, Panera Bread and Sweetgreen underperformed in the rankings.

Secondary triggers for fast-casual dining include quick lunches on work breaks, casual meals with friends and road-trip stops.

The Morning Consult data revealed that 58% of fast-casual consumers are Gen Z or Millennials — those who deal with a stagnant income, rising costs and not being able to find enough hours in the day.

Gen Z and Millennials don’t want to have to figure out what to make for dinner — they want something quick and without thought.

Fast-casual diners tend to be more optimistic than the general population, but that confidence has taken a toll as consumer sentiment in general has declined over the past seven months — and the main attraction is not having to make decisions.

Behind exhaustion, 35% said they just want something affordable and filling, followed by the convenience of picking something up during a commute at 33%.

With a third of fast casual dining happening while people are on their way home from work, the data reveals that Americans are squeezing their meals into something that’s already part of their day rather than planning around it.

According to a YouGov survey from January 2026, 81% of people who order takeout or delivery do so because it gives them the ability to multitask.

Nearly 40% of fast-casual diners are parents — people who are juggling their life and schedule on top of their children’s — according to Morning Consult data.