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Building Your Bridge to Modern Family Menus
In today’s dynamic foodservice landscape, understanding the preferences of how the modern family eats is crucial. For restaurant operators, catering to their tastes can be a powerful way to attract and retain customers. Affinity Group is here with the inside scoop on how family eating preferences are driving meal decisions and what you can do to meet their demands.
KEY INSIGHTS
Increased Dining Out
With busy schedules and a hectic work-life balance, families are turning to restaurants as a way to alleviate some of the stress and burden of preparing meals at home. In a recent survey, Affinity Group found that up to 60% of families report that they dine out specifically to save time and effort.
Economic Factors
Despite the increased frequency of dining out, cost remains a significant factor influencing dining habits for many families. Our survey revealed that 58% of families actively look for deals and discounts before deciding on a restaurant. This underscores the importance of offering value alongside convenience.
Loyalty is Crucial
Loyalty programs and promotions are important factors in family dining decisions. According to the survey, 29% of families are more likely to return to a restaurant if it participates in a loyalty program that provides rewards or discounts. Over 80% of families have a favorite restaurant they visit frequently, emphasizing the importance of good food, reasonable prices, and friendly service.
Make it Memorable
Food quality is paramount in creating memorable dining experiences. The survey found that 88% of diners have had a memorable experience, with 75% of these occurring in the last month. Factors influencing their desire to return include food (73%), atmosphere and service (50%), friendliness and value (46%), and wait time and their server (32%).
HEAR FROM OUR EXPERTS:
ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR OPERATORS:
Families prioritize restaurants with menus that cater to their children’s tastes. Kids often prefer familiar, simple, and fun foods.
• Dedicated Kids’ Menu
Offer a variety of kid-friendly options such as chicken tenders, pizza, and mac and cheese.
• Healthy Twists
Appeal to parents by incorporating healthier versions of popular kids’ dishes, like baked chicken tenders and whole-grain pasta.
• Interactive Menus
Design menus with fun activities or games to keep kids entertained while waiting for their meals.
Parents are increasingly concerned about the nutritional value of the meals their children consume. They seek out restaurants that provide healthy, balanced meal options for kids.
• Nutritional Information
Clearly display nutritional information for kids’ meals.
• Balanced Options
Offer meals that include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Customization
Allow parents to customize meals to suit their children’s dietary needs or preferences.
With the rise in food allergies and special dietary needs, families look for restaurants that can accommodate these requirements safely and effectively.
• Allergen-Free Options
Provide meals free from common allergens like nuts, dairy, and gluten.
• Staff Training
Train staff to handle special dietary requests and prevent cross-contamination.
• Clear Labeling
Clearly label menu items that are allergen-free or can be modified to meet dietary needs.
Families with young children often seek quick and efficient service to keep their dining experience smooth and enjoyable.
• Speedy Service
Prioritize quick preparation and delivery of kids’ meals.
• Pre-Order Options
Offer online pre-ordering so families can minimize wait times upon arrival.
• Kid-Friendly Portions
Serve appropriately sized portions that cater to children’s appetites.
Families seek good value for their money, looking for restaurants that offer quality meals at reasonable prices.
• Family Deals
Provide special deals or combos for families.
• Kids Eat Free
Offer promotions where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Loyalty Programs
Implement loyalty programs that reward frequent family visits.
Understanding and catering to the modern family’s eating preferences is essential for operations looking to attract and retain family diners. By offering kid-friendly menus, health-conscious choices, allergen awareness, engaging dining experiences, fast service, appealing presentation, and good value for money, they can create a dining experience that satisfies both children and their parents. Remember that when you need to elevate your family menu to maximize profits, the talented culinary team at Affinity Group is always here to help you Build Your Bridge to Local Sales Success.