Why We Keep Going to the Same Three Places
The invisible routine behind your social life — and how to shake it up
Think fast: Where did you go the last three times you ate out with friends?
If you're like most people we interviewed, it’s probably the same handful of spots. Not because you love them, but because choosing something new feels exhausting. Is it going to be the right vibe for the group? Is it going to be good? How can I get everyone to agree?
This isn’t just habit. It’s a coping strategy.
After interviewing dozens of people in their 20s and 30s about how they make plans, a clear pattern emerged: when life is overwhelming, choice feels like work. So people stop exploring and start defaulting.
The Discovery Drain Is Real
“We just rotate between the same three places. Not because we’re obsessed, it’s just easier.” -Market Research Interview
That was one of the most common sentiments we heard. The problem isn't a lack of desire for novelty. It’s friction.
Modern dining discovery is broken. Everyone toggles between Google, Yelp, Instagram, texts, maps, reviews, and outdated menus just to maybe land on something new. But it takes time. Mental energy. Negotiation.
So we give up and say, "let’s just go to the usual."
“I don’t want to waste time researching. Just give me a few fun, new places to try.”
-Market Research Interview
“Sometimes I’ll scroll DoorDash for 30 minutes and still just order the same thing.”
-Market Research Interview
We think of this as “decision fatigue,” but in behavioral psychology, it’s more than that, it’s what researchers call cognitive offloading: the brain’s way of avoiding complex processing when it’s overloaded.
Discovery Feels Like a Job So No One Volunteers
People in our research didn’t just feel bored with the usual, they felt responsible for breaking the cycle. And that, too, became a burden.
“It always falls on me to suggest something new, and I just don’t have the energy.”
-Market Research Interview
“I want to be spontaneous, but I’m so tired of being the one doing the legwork.”
-Market Research Interview
This points to a deeper dynamic in social planning: someone has to take initiative. And in many groups, it’s the same person every time. That person ends up carrying the emotional load and the research load and then eventually stops trying.
The Problem Isn’t Options
In most cities, there are hundreds if not thousands of restaurants. But what people need isn’t more places, it’s a reminder of the right ones, surfaced at the right time.
That means taking into account:
Dietary needs
Budget
Location
Schedule
Vibe (are we in the mood for beer and board games or cocktails and heels?)
But no app does this in a seamless way. So people settle.
“I think one thing I struggle with is knowing exactly how I want to encapsulate the vibes, and that’s not being portrayed in photos and reviews.”
-Market Research Interview
That insight stuck with us.
Why ForkYes Is Built for Breaking the Cycle
ForkYes is designed to disrupt the rut, not by overwhelming you with choices, but by giving your group a smart, curated shortlist based on what actually matters.
It learns from your past plans and preferences, adjusts for group needs, and only shows options that make sense for the moment you’re in. No more “where should we go?” spirals. Just swipe, match, done.
Restaurant discovery + group consensus = happy dining experiences
And it’s not just for dinners. Many people told us the hardest part was figuring out what to do after the main plan.
“YES. I always want a nightcap but it takes so long to find something.”
-Market Research Interview
“I’d love to see suggestions for dessert or second stops or even pop-up events.”
-Market Research Interview
ForkYes helps you plan the night, not just the meal.
Ready to Escape the Usual?
We’re building this because we’re tired of decision fatigue, tired of doing all the planning, and really tired of eating at the same three places.
If you’ve ever felt that, too, we’d love to have you try ForkYes.
Join the waitlist!