US Buffet Demand Jumps 252% as Diners Chase Value Amid Rising Food Costs
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
US Buffet Demand Jumps 252% as Diners Chase Value Amid Rising Food Costs
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Summary
Yelp searches for all-you-can-eat buffets jumped 252% from 2025, signaling a sharp U.S. comeback for value-focused dining as grocery and restaurant prices climb.
Korean barbecue is a major winner in that shift: KPot charges about $31.99 to $36.99, operates in nearly 40 states, and an industry expert said its expansion reflects changing tastes rather than Tex-Mex weakness.
Other concepts highlighted by The Wall Street Journal span price points and cuisines, from Good Time Country Buffet’s $26.99 Southern spread in Manhattan to Der Dutchman dinners around $20 and Tashkent Supermarket’s $10.99-$11.99-per-pound Uzbek hot bar.
Fogo de Chão shows the trend reaching upscale chains as well, with a $20 Market Table, a pricier churrasco option, and a U.S. footprint that has nearly doubled to about 115 locations in four years.