5 Reasons Why Filipinos Love Fast Food and Restaurants - Understanding Filipinos' Affinity for Fast Food and Restaurants

The Philippine people have a penchant for eating out at restaurants and fast food venues due to their love for novelty and curiosity when it comes to cuisine. Trying something new, unusual, and that cannot be prepared at home is a good enough reason for most locals to opt for takeout or a meal at a restaurant. Filipinos are also a highly social society that considers outings and excursions as opportunities not only to relish new and delightful delicacies but also to meet new people and spend time in new surroundings.

Although dining at a restaurant or a fast food outlet is often considered expensive in most parts of the world, the same cannot be said when dining out in the Philippines. This is due to the affordable and competitive pricing practices that local restaurants and fast food chains follow to keep meals accessible to all diners. While there are fine dining establishments and exclusive restaurants where a meal might set one back quite a bit, a vast majority of popular fast food chains and restaurants boast affordable meal options.

With most fast food hubs and restaurants offering delivery services, convenience is another reason why Filipinos prefer to order rather than prepare meals at home. It's not only fast food brands such as the Jollibee Food Corporation that have jumped on the home delivery bandwagon as more and more Filipino restaurants allow customers to place orders online or via a dedicated app. Delivery motorbikes are a common sight in Manila and other major cities due to the large number of locals ordering meals straight to their doorsteps. Owing to the discounts and promotional rates on offer during special holidays, ordering takeout from one's favourite fast food joint can also be a great saver for those on a budget.

Fast food often receives a bad reputation for being flavourless and bland in most parts of the world. However, this is not the case in the Philippines where food restaurants do not fall into this category. As a nation that considers eating a national pastime, it is not easy to maintain a food brand or restaurant business in the Philippines without quality meals. This is why even the most basic fast food options taste delicious when consumed at a Filipino outlet, and why travellers love to dine out during a holiday in the country.

Dining with friends and family at a neighbourhood restaurant and celebrating one's birthday at a local fast food hub are community activities in the Philippines. Considered a social event, locals often look forward to stepping outside of their daily routines and heading to the nearest burger joint to grab some fries and milkshakes with friends or siblings.