Lunch has been an especially difficult meal for most chains since it is one of the easiest for customers to cut out or replace with a brown bag from home.
"Obviously, when money is tight, things like lunch are out," Urban said, "especially sit-down lunches at full-service restaurants."
Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association, said lunch traffic goes down whenever the number of employed consumers drops. Those without jobs have less need for convenient lunch options and have less cash to spend.
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Most consumers who are still working are still eating out — just not as frequently.
"I have been brown bagging it more often recently, but sometimes I just have to get out of the office to get some quality face time with my colleagues," said Dan Brown, who works at a technology public relations company outside Chicago.
In Atlanta, brand research consultant Bryan Oekel said he goes out to lunch about three times a week and typically spends about $8. Lately, he's been cutting back on ordering drinks with a meal to save a bit of cash.
"Most of the places I go to don't have the value meal," Oekel said. "The drink typically is $1 or $2 more."
Brian McAfee, a training manager for Strayer University in Newington, Va., said he tries to keep lunches out under $6 but is willing to go up to $10 if "it's something better" like Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Urban and Riehle both said most restaurants' lunch prices aren't likely to go back up soon.
"It's actually a very good time for consumers to get great deals and restaurant meals," Riehle said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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