Phone-free restaurants are trending as Chick-fil-A tests ice cream incentive

Patrons at a growing number of restaurants and bars are being asked to hide or even lock their phones as part of a push to have more memorable nights out.

As Fox News Digital recently reported, this trend is gaining traction across the US; More spots are experimenting with restrictions, incentives or ziplock bags.

Charlotte cocktail bar Antagonist keeps guests’ phones in ziplock bags for about two hours; Delilah, an upscale supper club with locations across the country, has a no-call, no-text policy, according to Axios.

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Chick-fil-A even tested this tactic at a Maryland location by offering free ice cream to families who cut off their phones.

This trend is especially prevalent in high-end, curated venues like listening bars, supper clubs, cocktail lounges and restaurants offering tasting menus, said Ben Tannenbaum, vice president of partnerships at New York-based nightlife company LineLeap.

“The driver doesn’t actually have anti-phone sentiment,” he told Fox News Digital. “Guests are going out less often than before and spending more money per visit, so operators are trying to ensure the visit is a success.”

Experts say this trend has been developing for years and is gaining momentum as more people realize the disadvantages of constant screen time.

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“The phone-free dining trend began before COVID, but has gained momentum in recent years, especially as people began to understand the negative effects of overuse of personal devices,” Amanda Belarmino, professor of hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Fox News Digital.

Hospitality experts say reading reviews and taking photos of the food during the dining experience can detract from the experience. (iStock)

He said plug-free dining can help customers focus on both their meal and their friends, and it can even be financially savvy for restaurants.

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“Diners who are engaged in the experience are more likely to eat more than one course or order a second drink,” he said.

While they were busy taking photos or reading other diners’ reviews before forming their own opinions, they were more likely to enjoy their meal if the weather wasn’t cold, Belarmino said.

Critics say enforcing phone-free policies can create awkward moments for guests and staff. (iStock)

Beyond commercial considerations, experts agree that the move reflects a return to long-standing social norms surrounding food.

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Being present when dining with others is a “timeless principle,” according to New York etiquette expert Nick Leighton.

“When your phone is off, it sends the signal that the person who is with you at that moment is not as important as what’s happening on the phone,” Leighton told Fox News Digital.

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Others say this tendency stems from the mental strain of always being connected.

Psychiatrist and founder of the North Carolina Institute for Advanced NeuroHealth, Dr. “The driving force behind phone-free dining is cognitive overload,” said Vinay Saranga. “Phone-free eating offers a form of psychological relief that will re-enforce meaningful connection and allow us to focus on the present moment.”

Experts say the move underscores the importance of being present at the table. (iStock)

However, implementing phone-free policies may come with trade-offs.

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“Enforcement is awkward in practice at best,” Tannenbaum said. “Bags, signs, and servers asking guests to put their phones away cause friction that can undermine the experience the policy is trying to create.”

He doesn’t expect phone-free dining to become the norm everywhere, and predicts it will continue as a subcategory rather than as an industry-wide shift.