Restaurant vouchers serve up record consumer savings

Restaurant diners are saving £3 million every day as increasing numbers of Brits get a taste for discount dining, according to Moneysupermarket Vouchers.

Restaurant vouchers, which can offer up to half price off the cost of a meal, are the most popular type of online discount.  Over the last 12 months the number of people using restaurant vouchers has risen by 30 per cent and nearly 60 per cent of Brits report having dined with a discount in the last six months.

While eating out was once considered a treat for many, one in five people (17 per cent) say they now eat out more than ever because of the discounts available.  The UK is currently tucking in to 14 million cut price meals every month with Italian cuisine by far and away the most popular choice.  High street chains Pizza Express (30 per cent) Pizza Hut (22 per cent) and Zizzi (11 per cent) are the most popular restaurant vouchers.

The average person hands over a restaurant voucher once every other month, however, the number of people eating out once a month or more with a voucher has risen by 11 per cent in the last year. 

Discount dining culture is now a firmly established trend in the UK.  Over half (51 per cent) of people say they now automatically check for voucher before eating out and 22 per cent won't go to restaurant unless it's offering a discount.

Sian Harrison, Voucher Expert at moneysupermarket.com comments: "Over the last year, more and more restaurants are realising the benefits of offering money off vouchers as a way of keeping tables full.  The number of vouchers on moneysupermarket.com has increased by 400% year on year, with restaurants being by far the number one searched category. To supply the demand, we have plenty of offers on the table, and discount-hungry consumers are reaping the rewards."