- Fears of a slowing economy and worries about tariffs have spurred young Americans to point out so-called recession indicators.
- Some businesses are also picking up on the trend, with dining establishments and bars offering “recession specials.”
- Consumer sentiment has been on the decline, according to data from the University of Michigan.
As fears of a slowing economy lurk in the background, some businesses are taking notice and bringing back so-called recession specials.
Look up the term “recession specials” through Google’s search engine, and the list of results will include entries from the Great Recession nearly 20 years ago.
Consider this Grub Street article from 2008 slugged “Recession Specials: Your Definitive Guide.” Or this 2009 story from The New York Times, which details the mealtime recession specials restaurants across New York offered as an act of survival.
Fast-forward to 2025 and a crop of establishments are once more hinting at a looming economic downturn.