Daily Record

According to a recent poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies of Annapolis, more than one out of every two Marylanders (53 percent) say they dine out less today than they did a year ago, while just one out of every 50 dines out more. The remainder, 45 percent, said their restaurant habits had not changed.

“I think people are paying attention to where their money is going, and eating out is one of those areas,” said Paul Hartgen, president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. “Overall, people are feeling a little more conservative with their funds. When you feel like your house isn’t gaining [in value] like it once was or your retirement plan is becoming nonexistent, those things affect the psyche.”

Hartgen noted that restaurateurs hold the same concerns. In a survey conducted by the association last month, the economy and food costs were the top-ranked issues the industry faced, followed in order by sales volume, recruitment and retention of employees, energy costs and competition. For the last two years, the economy ranked fourth on the same list and food costs had never ranked higher than third, Hartgen said.

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The Gonzales poll was conducted via telephone from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5 and interviewed 833 registered voters in Maryland who indicated they are likely to vote in next month’s general election. Its author said the questions were intended to explore how the economy is affecting spending after a previous poll by the Annapolis firm found that 42 percent of Marylanders — up from 10 percent in January — ranked it the most important issue facing the state.

The poll also found that 49 percent answered they were driving less than they were a year ago while 46 percent said they drove about the same amount. But since the poll was conducted, the average gas price in the state has dropped 86 cents per gallon to $2.68, and AAA Mid-Atlantic is predicting lower prices in the coming weeks. That change gives the restaurant industry hope that consumers will redirect their spending

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts the cost of food will rise between 5 and 6 percent by the end of this year while Hartgen said restaurant prices have increased by 4 or 4.5 percent.