35% of Gen Z will cut back on takeout to afford Black Friday, vs. only 14% of Boomers

For many Americans, Black Friday could mean less money to spend in the weeks leading up to the holidays. This coming retail sales season, 35% of Gen Z shoppers will most likely cut back the most on eating out and takeout, compared to 14% of Boomers, according to a September 2026 survey of 899 US adults conducted by Omni Calculator. Roughly 44% of Boomers will not make any cuts. The generational divide is real, as younger consumers redirect their dining budget to fund their holiday purchases.

With the United States out-of-home food and beverage market valued at $74.42 billion in 2025, the industry may take a hit during the holiday shopping season, as 25% of respondents plan to cut back on eating out and takeout. Respondents also declared they would be looking for savings on clothes and other personal expenses (11%) and travel or trips (9%). Around 55% will be cutting back on something, compared to the 36% who will cut nothing ahead of their Black Friday shopping, with Boomers in the lead at 44%. There also emerge differences between men and women: the former are twice as likely as the latter to reduce their spending on clothes and personal items (16% vs. 7%).

One-fourth of consumers across all generations plan to spend more than last year, with Gen Z showing the strongest upward trend (36%), followed by Millennials (26%), Gen X (22%), and Boomers (17%). In comparison, only 10% of Gen Z, 20% of Gen X, and 21% of Millennials will reduce their Black Friday expenses, while Boomers are roughly evenly split between reducing their budgets (18%) and increasing them (17%).

But even though, proportionally, Gen Z is planning the biggest budget jump, their estimated average budget sits at $362, with 10% planning to spend less than $100. In contrast, Gen X and Millennials want to spend roughly $442 and $404, respectively. So, although Gen Z is the most likely to increase their Black Friday budget, their average planned spending is still below that of Millennials and Gen X. Therefore, cutting back on everyday purchases, such as takeout, may be one way for them to prepare their wallet for the Black Friday shopping spree.

Boomers' average budgets trend slightly below Gen Z's, at an estimated $329. Overall, the most common budget sits between $250 and $499, with 29% of respondents landing in that interval. 

It seems like gift shopping will be a major focus of the Black Friday weekend for everyone—around 48% of respondents plan to do at least some of their gift shopping. Roughly 22% plan to cover over three-quarters of their gift plans.