The opinions of millennials matter, because their buying power is huge. But, how are millennial food tends shifting?
Soon, millennials will be the largest percentage of the population, and with the greatest purchasing power. This means that their interests and daily habits can drastically impact your restaurant business. More than any other age bracket, millennials dominate the workforce. Plus, millennials are open-minded and curious. As a result, they are influencing what we eat.
7 ways Millennial Food Trends Are Shifting:
Food and Diet
- Millennial food trends are embracing fat and turning away from sugar. According to IFIC, 47% of millennials say animal protein is healthy compared to 26% of old generations.
- Millennials prefer whole foods over processed alternatives.
- Instead of having three large meals throughout the day, millennials prefer snacking often throughout the day.
- This means restaurants should add more “snack” items to their menu. And to be clear – it can’t just be any snack option. The snacks need to be healthy, and nutritious. Acai bowls, buddha bowls, ramen, roasted chickpeas… If it sounds obscure, odds are you should add it to your menu.
- The meaning of “healthy” is evolving. If you were to ask a millenial what healthy means to them, they wouldn’t use words like low-fat or high in fiber. Instead, they will use terms like organic, local, sustainable, or natural. Providing quality ingredients is key to keeping these customers happy and coming back for more.
Tech and Convenience
- Millennials are heavily dependent on tech. There was a time that technology and food didn’t overlap as significantly as it does today. As a result of this intertwined relationship, buying habits have changed. According to the International Food Information Council’s 2017 Food and Health Survey, 55% of millennials say convenience is a top driver when buying food, while baby boomers say taste matters more.
- Millennials are demanding convenience and speed with their food. There is a reason you see meal kits, quick grab-and-go options at grocery stores, and online ordering everywhere.
- Millennials rely on information to decide on their next meal. Websites, blogs, reviews sites, and word-of-mouth from friends and family are all source areas for millenials to find out about the food they want to eat. “This prioritizing of convenience above all else is generally positive for restaurants (given the ease of eating out vs preparing at home),” the analysts said. “And, it’s especially advantageous for those offering delivery and to-go.”
Activate Your NetWaiter Site
If you want to attract more local millennials and keep them informed about your restaurant, check out NetWaiter’s restaurant platform and network. You can search for, and activate, your NetWaiter site and app here:
