SAP Concur Data: Business Meals and Entertainment Spending Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
SAP Concur analyzed expense report data from the first half of 2023 and found that business meal and entertainment spending surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Entertainment spending increased 11.86% compared to the first half of 2019, while meal spending rose 9.1%, with SMBs contributing significantly.
Impact and considerations
The data reflects the recovery of business travel and in-person interactions, as well as the impact of inflation on expenses, providing a reference for companies setting expense policies and budgets.
Key points
- 192 million expense reports flowed through Concur Expense in 2022.
- In H1 2023, entertainment spending increased 11.86% and meal spending increased 9.1% compared to H1 2019.
- SMB entertainment spending grew 32%, while large businesses saw only a 4% increase.
- The average entertainment expense rose 23% from $123 in 2019 to $151 in 2023.
- The average meal expense rose 23% from $43 in 2019 to $55.
- Q4 is the peak season for meal and entertainment spending, with October being the busiest month.
- Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, food and beverages from restaurants are 100% deductible for 2023 taxes.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 29 Sept 2023, 15:24
- Page published
- 14 Aug 2026, 08:19
- Last updated
- 29 Sept 2023, 15:24
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：Business Meals and Entertainment Expenses Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 29 Sept 2023, 15:24