Spending at restaurants grew 2.1 percent, but the cash register may slow down this year, according to a new survey.

Almost one in four restaurant-goers say they plan to spend less at restaurants this year than they did in 2010, a year in which restaurant-industry spending grew to $403.5 billion, according to Mintel, a Chicago-based consumer research company.

For those 10 percent of people who plan to spend more this year, casual dining restaurants are expected to win their wallets. But the cost of going out remains an issue for many. More than 60 percent of restaurant-goers say it’s too expensive to eat out regularly.

“This focus on frugality isn’t likely to disappear any time soon,” said Eric Giandelone, Mintel’s director of foodservice research.