Restaurant deals are being tossed around with greater intensity lately. And some may or may not be related to the fact that Americans apparently aren’t eating out as much, according to some industry reports.

Here are some examples:

1) T.G.I. Friday's recently launched a loyalty program, called Give Me More Stripes. The membership benefits include a free appetizer or dessert upon sign-up, an $8 gift certificate for every $100 spent (excluding alcohol), communication about menu offers and a one time jump-the-line pass.

2) If you buy a drink in the morning at Starbucks locations, you’ll receive a receipt to return for a $2 iced beverage after 2 p.m. that same day. This is one of a series of recent Starbucks promotions.

In a recent report, Technomic, a food industry consulting firm based in Chicago, said that 35 percent of consumers are dining out less frequently than a year ago. Money woes are the reason. People are trying to save money, they have less money to spend, and they cited the high price of some restaurant menu items, according to Technomic.

“It’s vital for operators to provide consumers with added value incentives to maintain and grow their business,” said Darren Tristano, an executive vice president at Technomic, in a news release. “Consumers want to feel that their dinner experience is a good value regardless of the price point. Special offers, promotions, family-pack and combo meals promote that perception.”

Let me know what restaurant deals that you have noticed lately.

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• Posted by Jenny Kincaid Boone in Deals
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