As consumers scale back dining expenses, sit-down restaurants like Chili’s and Cheesecake Factory are gaining ground against fast-food giants, delivering perceived higher value at comparable prices. Chili’s latest earnings show a 24% increase in same-store sales and a 16.3% boost in guest traffic, attributed to menu refinements and marketing investments. Market research from Ipsos reports about a third of Americans reduced outings since early 2025, hitting fast food particularly hard. Experts note the narrowing price gap between quick service and casual dining is reshaping consumer preferences.