Three generations possess the lion\u2019s share of purchasing power today: baby boomers, Generation X, and millennials. Not every member of a generation thinks and acts the same way, but members share enough similarities to guide restaurant operators in developing brands, concepts, and menus that maximize today\u2019s profits and help ensure the future viability of their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before evaluating generational differences, consider what Chicago-based research firm Technomic Inc. refers to as the \u201cprimary need states\u201d of restaurant consumers. These desires are universal, crossing generational divides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everybody wants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the \u201csecondary need states\u201d that differentiate the generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technomic defines boomers as those born between 1947 and 1965. Boomers are currently the largest generation, though millennials will outnumber them by 2030, according to Technomic Consumer Research Manager Anne Mills. Boomers also dwarf the other two groups in terms of spending power\u2014 more than 12 times that of either group on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These secondary need states drive boomers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBoomers may be new empty nesters or they may be contemplating retirement,\u201d Mills says. \u201cThey have more time to sit and enjoy meals. They gravitate toward full-service restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Born between 1966 and 1976, Generation X is the smallest of the three age groups, but perhaps holding the most disposable income. As Melissa Abbott of The Hartman Group points out in a recent article in Flavor & The Menu, Gen Xers boast the highest average income and therefore have the most finances to experiment with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their secondary need states are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGen Xers are in the mid-life phase,\u201d Mills says. \u201cThey\u2019re starting and raising families, and are looking to balance work and life. They want restaurant environments that are conducive to their kids and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technomic categorizes millennials as those born between 1977 and 1992. The Chicago-based market-research firm Datassential broadens that definition and tracks both \u201cadult millennials\u201d and \u201cyoung millennials.\u201d When considering the drivers and behaviour of this group, it\u2019s important to note that there are differences between younger and older millennials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe younger ones are just starting out in life and are likely still in school,\u201d Mills says. \u201cThe older ones are more established.\u201d Datassential Senior Director Maeve Webster advises operators focus on attracting adult millennials now, since they possess more spending power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In spite of the age span, both older and younger, Technomic reports that millennials share these secondary need states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A people-focused culture is one of the most salient characteristics of millennials, according to Mills. This group contains more Asians, Middle Easterners, and Latinos, who grew up eating home-cooked dishes that reflect their heritage. This, along with a rise in interracial marriages, a surge in TV cooking shows, and the ubiquity of Internet access, has given the millennial group more exposure to different cultures and cuisines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, \u201cMillennials are much more adventurous in their food choices,\u201d Mills says. \u201cDining out is entertainment for them\u2014and part of the entertainment is trying something new.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do these generational differences play out on your menu? First, remember that the size and purchasing power of the boomer generation makes it the primary target for the restaurant industry. Much of the foodservice industry\u2019s research and marketing focuses on millennials. But boomers are most likely your bread and butter. Fortunately, successful restaurants are already doing a good job of serving boomers\u2014that\u2019s why they\u2019re successful. Operators should plan on broadening their appeal to other age groups over time. It\u2019s an evolution, not a revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The evolution of sharing plates is an example. Boomers who grew up on protein-based entr\u00e9es served with an array of sides have now embraced the variety afforded by sharing plates. It\u2019s a way to serve boomers\u2019 preferred food in a new way\u2014a way that also appeals to both Gen Xers and millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The secondary need states of Gen Xers are more about the overall restaurant experience than the specifics of the menu. Dining out is social and experiential for them, just as it is for millennials. But millennials are driving new flavour solutions in a way Gen Xers are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flavour innovation begins with millennials\u2019 taste for global cuisine. Note that it\u2019s \u201cglobal cuisine,\u201d not \u201cethnic cuisine.\u201d Millennials\u2019 people-focused culture gives them a different perspective on such labels. A millennial Asian diner doesn\u2019t view Asian food as ethnic, and neither should we.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What we should do is expand our view of global beyond boomer-approved Italian, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines to also include contemporary global influences, including Indian, Thai, Korean, Peruvian and Mexican.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In terms of individual flavours, millennials like bold\u2014fruity, spicy, salty, sweet\u2014and sour is emerging as a favourite. That\u2019s driven by an interest in foods that are rich in probiotics, including yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut, and vinegars. Sour beers are also an emerging trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millennials are also keenly interested in health and wellness, \u201cThough it\u2019s different than the health concerns boomers have,\u201d Mills notes. \u201cBoomers associate health with low-fat, low-calorie, and low-sodium dishes. Millennials are much more concerned with the origin of their foods. Is it fresh? Is it local? Is it sustainably grown or raised? That\u2019s what healthy means to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customization is another key motivator for millennials. The consumer-research company The Hartman Group reported in 2014 that Millennials \u201clove\u201d Chipotle because the Mexican grill allows them to customize their burritos, \u201csomething that gives them ownership without too many options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This preference for customization, Mills maintains, combined with less money in their pockets, means millennials primarily patronize fast-casual concepts. That will change in the future as their purchasing power grows. Sharing plates will allow full-service restaurants to meet millennial demand for customization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Operators will have to adjust sharing plates menus to account for millennials\u2019 people-focused culture, culinary curiosity, and unique health preferences\u2014but the tools to target millennials are already in place. Just incorporate these changes incrementally over time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maximize the appeal of your menu by understanding the varied tastes of the different generations. Three generations possess the lion\u2019s share of purchasing power today: baby boomers, Generation X, and millennials. Not every member of a generation thinks and acts the same way, but members share enough similarities to guide restaurant operators in developing brands, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":27005,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[122,68,123,112,69,111,113],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catering-small-business","category-culinary-ideas","category-hotels-hospitality","category-restaurant-bars","category-running-your-business","category-healthcare","category-university"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n