Thai food businesses in the United States, including restaurants, reservation services and ingredient outlets, are expected to continue catering to a growing number of customers in 2026, thanks to the expanding trend of dining out across the country.
Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, Director-General of the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion, told the media that this forecast is based on recent surveys of consumer behaviour in the United States conducted by ministry officials.
She said a dining-trend report, prepared by the department’s office in Chicago, found that the number of local consumers who prefer dining out increased by 8% in 2025 and is expected to continue rising in 2026.
According to the report, consumers dined out an average of 10 times per month last year, while Millennials (Gen Y) did so as many as 14 times per month on average.
Sunanta stressed that this upward trend could translate into higher revenues for Thai food and beverage businesses in the United States — particularly restaurants, reservation platforms and ingredient stores linked to outlets in Thailand.
She noted, however, that U.S. consumers prefer convenient and good-value dining experiences, with special promotions or distinctive atmospheres. She suggested that Thai food businesses keep up with trends and adjust accordingly — for example, by introducing greener menus and eco-friendly décor.
