Solo dining surges 52% as Americans embrace 'Me-Me-Me Economy' over shared meals

More Americans are choosing to dine alone — and it may not be out of loneliness, recent data shows.

Solo dining orders have surged since 2021, according to a recent report from Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut. Solo dining orders have risen 52% over that period and now account for 47% of quick-service restaurant visits, up from 31% four years ago, according to the company's 2026 Food Trends Report.

"In an unpredictable world, consumers are looking for small moments of control," Ken Muench...