PARIS - The deepening global financial crisis has forced more and more French people to choose low-priced fast food shops instead of traditional restaurants, local media reported.

A survey conducted among 10,000 French people showed the customers received by traditional restaurants in 2008 dropped 2.2 percent as compared to 2007, whereas those in fast food shops rose 1.4 percent. Price is the determinant factor for people to choose restaurants against the backdrop of the financial crisis, researchers said.

To counter the impact of crisis, some traditional restaurants tried to find ways to attract customers.

A restaurant in the western city of Saint Malo recently provided so-called ‘crisis meal packages’, sold at only 3.9 euros each. The meal, each including a main dish and a dessert, will be sold every Wednesday noon.

Compared to an ordinarily average price of 15 euros for each meal, the low-cost ‘crisis meal package’ won favour among the local residents, many of whom are satisfied with its quality and wanted to come again.

The restaurant owner said the financial crisis forced families to cut back on household spendings, including eating out. He hoped the ‘crisis meal package’ could help boost his business.

The low-cost meals are also introduced by restaurants in other cities. In the southeastern city of Perpignan, a restaurant sold packages of 5.9 euros each, with a main dish, a glass of red wine and a cup of coffee, while in the western city of Nantes, packages of $3.5 each with a main dish and a dessert were provided.