This Christmas, restaurateurs are expecting record numbers of patrons who long for a good meal without the hassle of cooking and cleaning.

TRA's 1998 Holiday Dining Survey revealed that 67.6 percent of restaurant member respondents will be open for business this Christmas Eve. The study also found that 12.7 percent of respondents will open their doors the following day for Christmas. "Only a few years ago, nearly every restaurant in Texas was closed on Christmas Day," said TRA Director of PR/Research Denise Grasso. "Now, more consumers want to relax and enjoy their short holiday with family and friends, rather than spending hours in the kitchen. Restaurants are getting this message and opening their doors to dine-in and take-out customers."

Of the respondents who said they will be open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, 60.4 percent are expecting more customers this year. Their average projected increase in customers is 21.4 percent over last year.

For those planning a family dinner but want the ease of dining out, restaurants will offer the perfect solution.  The survey also found that a majority of restaurants will offer take-out meals during Christmas.  Packing up everything from appetizers to pies, 56.3 percent of restaurant respondents open on Christmas Eve or Day will offer full meals to-go.  Those restaurants expect that take-out sales will average approximately 24 percent of their business for the holiday.

Restaurants are selling more than just food during the holidays. More than 52 percent of survey respondents will offer gift certificates for customers to wrap up for their friends and family this Christmas. Some restaurants will offer other gift items such as t-shirts or gift baskets.

The busy holiday season for restaurateurs doesn't end with Christmas. More Texans will ring in the New Year in their favorite restaurants, according to the Holiday Dining Survey. Ninety-two percent of restaurant respondents will be open New Years Eve. Those restaurants are expecting nearly 70 percent more customers this year. Champagne and party favors will be on the menu for New Year's Eve diners, as 44.6 percent of restaurants will offer a special menu for the evening.

The holiday dining survey also questioned TRA restaurant members on their busiest holidays of the entire year. Mother's Day topped the list, with 30 percent of respondents reporting it as their busiest holiday. Fifteen percent of restaurants reported New Year's Eve as their busiest day. Twenty percent of respondents claimed Valentine's Day as their busiest holiday. Thanksgiving ranked fourth (11 percent) and Christmas Eve was fifth (10 percent).