Generational shifts cause foodservice shake-ups
Technomic has released its “2018 Generational Consumer Trend Report,” which reveals the similarities, differences, and evolutions within each generation and how brands can leverage these findings to drive growth and stay ahead.
Technomic has released its “2018 Generational Consumer Trend Report,” which reveals the similarities, differences, and evolutions within each generation and how brands can leverage these findings to drive growth and stay ahead. With older Gen Zers beginning college and millennials starting families, these lifestyle shifts are having a significant impact on the foodservice industry. At the same time, Gen Xers are increasingly becoming empty nesters while more and more baby boomers retire each day.
“It’s interesting to see where generations align and where there are stark differences. Across all ages, consumers are more willing to pay a higher price for items described as fresh, scratch-made, and real,” said Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “In terms of differences, millennials are choosier parents than other generations have been and want all natural, organic foods for themselves as well as their kids. In older generations such as baby boomers, on the other hand, we are seeing a very slight decline in foodservice visits, but interest in prepared foods, opening up opportunities for grocery and convenience stores.”
Millennials and Gen Zers still dominate when it comes to feeling like they have no choice but to eat meals on the run, with 29% and 26% agreeing, respectively. Gen Xers (26%) and baby boomers (19%) don’t feel that need to consume on-the-go. Another finding in the report demonstrates the younger generations ease with technology. When it comes to finding out what is on a restaurant’s menu, 65% of Millennials, 61% of Gen Zers, and 48% of Gen Xers look it up online, while only 32% of baby boomers do so.