U.S. restaurants in 2012 collected 3 percent less revenue from corporate diners than in 2011, according to Dinova.

The firm, which leverages client spending to provide discounts at participating restaurants, based its findings on data collected from more than 2 million employees of companies using the Dinova network who spent an aggregate $700 million in 2012. Dinova also reported that spending per transaction declined to $50.78 from $52.03 in 2011. "This is a sign of the times and a continuing trend, rather than a blip, for the restaurant business," according to Dinova CEO Vic Macchio. "We see continued desire to save money on business dining among the corporations in our network. They do so through policy changes, reduction in travel and restrictions on spending, based on the business situation."