Based on OpenTable’s 2025 numbers, the holiday brings in a huge chunk of business, with 2026 looking promising

Mother’s Day was restaurants’ biggest day of the year in 2025, according to reservation platform OpenTable.

Families and friends celebrating mom dined out in droves, increasing restaurant traffic 12% year over year. And there’s optimism that those numbers will be just as high on Sunday, May 10.

The National Restaurant Association paints a pretty rosy picture, forecasting that 80 million American adults will dine at restaurants on Mother’s Day 2026, up from 75 million in 2025.

If it’s up to the mothers, that’s certainly the case; 42% would rather go out to eat than have breakfast in bed (only 4%), and 62% of all Americans say dining out is an important part of the Mother’s Day celebration, per OpenTable.

For 38% of respondents, that restaurant meal is a multi-generational gathering. And Gen Z is leading the charge, choosing a Mother’s Day restaurant meal more than three times as often as Baby Boomers and double Gen X.

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In fact, OpenTable reservations for six or more diners increased by 13% in 2025. Another change last year: More guests—56%—requested a “Notify Me” alert if they couldn’t get the original restaurant reservation they requested.

Operators looking to snag Mother’s Day business this May may also tap into these trends:

• 12 p.m. is the most popular time to dine on that Sunday. A restaurant that has built a reputation as a brunch or lunch destination has an edge here.

• The latest data from review platform Yelp concurs, predicting that in 2026, 48% of people show a strong preference for dining out on Mother’s Day, with brunch a popular choice. Brunch buffets and special packages are grabbed up quickly, and unique menus with French, Japanese or global themes are a draw.

• But dinner is also in the running, according to the National Restaurant Association, with 55% of consumers opting for that meal occasion with mom and the crew. Plus, earlier dinners are trending. While noon may be the most requested OpenTable time slot, 5 p.m. saw a 14% increase in 2025, suggesting early dinner may play a bigger role this year.

• Price may be more of a factor as well. In the past, Americans spent an average of $187 per party on Mother’s Day dining, but nearly 87% expect to spend more this year than in the past.

With money tighter in many circles, diners may be seeking restaurants that offer more bang for their buck. Or opting for takeout or delivery instead of the more expensive dining-in option.

Source https://www.nrn.com/menu-trends/how-restaurant-traffic-will-trend-this-mother-s-day