More couples opting for Valentine’s Day at fast-food joints, survey says. Here are Ohio top picks
Money is tight for a lot of Ohioans, even on Valentine’s Day and recent data reveals that couples are looking to spend the day on a budget.
A new MarketBeat poll surveyed thousands of couples to see how they plan to celebrate Valentine’s and the “standout trend” is fast-food restaurants instead of fancier sit-down spots.
Chick-fil-A is Ohio’s top pick
Turns out Ohio’s love language might just be waffle fries. The pick comes as no surprise given the first Chick-fil-A restaurant was built in Cleveland in 1979.
Special Valentine’s Day items
Chick-fil-A offers heart-shaped nuggets trays through February 14th, while supplies last. Check your local store before ordering because they go pretty fast.
According to Southern Living, these are the most frequently ordered items on V-day and beyond.
- Chicken Sandwich Meal with extra pickles (otherwise known as the #1)
- Spicy Deluxe Chicken Sandwich
- Grilled Nuggets
- Waffle Fries
- Mac and Cheese
- Sunjoy (the special name for “half tea, half lemonade”)
- Market Salad
- Honey Pepper Pimento Sandwich
- Peach Milkshake
Because Midwesterners can’t live without it, mayonnaise also tops the list of most requested items.
Ohio’s runners-up
- Dairy Queen
- Pizza Hut
Why fast food?
For many couples, a fast-food stop feels simpler, and more importantly, more affordable while still feeling like a treat.
Matt Paulson, MarketBeat’s founder, explained, “We are seeing a broader trend where couples are prioritizing affordability, comfort, and shared experiences over formality.”
He says it is a direct reaction to higher prices and tighter disposable incomes and the research suggests that over half of the couples surveyed said inflation changed their plans.
What our neighbors want for Valentine’s Day
Chick-fil-A is the clear winner across the region. The franchise was voted number one in Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan and Kentucky. MarketBeat suggests it is because, “it is affordable, but not perceived as cheap.”
How the rankings were found
The poll used responses from 3,004 couples using a combination of online search data and restaurant foot traffic for the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
- Data analyzed from Google Trends, location analytics firm Placer.ai, and Yelp mentions of “Valentine’s” and “date night.”
- The top fast-food chain for each state was determined by popularity index (based on searches, visits, and mentions).
- In Georgia, Chick-fil-A stood out particularly for its heart tray promotions and high dine-in traffic.
The findings suggest consumer caution, not a financial crisis. People are still going out, we’re just choosing places that feel affordable and low-stress.