Consumer Trends

Consumer trends, insights and preferences

Getting the lowdown on restaurants

Dec. 15, 2011

Where do potential customers go to get information about local dining choices? The Internet is the #1 source, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center. The survey revealed that newspapers and word-of-mouth are also popular sources.

Consumer Trends

Moms Run the Show on Mother's Day

May 09, 2012

Sunday, May 12, promises to be a high-grossing day for restaurants, as families across the country take mom out to eat for Mother’s Day. According to Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer of OpenTable.com, “Mother’s Day has always been one of the biggest dining holidays of the year—and with good reason. Being a mother is one of the most important jobs in the world.”

Consumer Trends

Emerging ethnic flavors

Oct. 26, 2012

Asian, Latin and Mediterranean have dominated the "ethnic" category on menus for at least a decade. Now, Datassential's data analysis of U.S. Chains and Independents in 2012 revealed that niche ingredients and flavors within these big three are emerging.

Consumer Trends

Study finds support for organics, not their prices

Apr. 15, 2013

Consumers are showing more interest in doing what’s right for the environment—as long as it doesn’t cost them more.

Consumer Trends

The truth about millennials

By Kelly Killian on Jan. 22, 2014

For this in-demand set, one size does not fit all.

Consumer Trends

Consumers rank chains’ feel-good attributes

Jan. 14, 2015

In addition to measuring chains’ operational attributes, Technomic also rated their connection to consumers through a series of questions designed to gauge loyalty and perception of a brand.

Consumer Trends

Tipping 360 Part 1: How consumers view tipping policies

By Kelly Killian on Jan. 19, 2016

As restaurateurs experiment with no-tipping policies, consumers we surveyed say they are willing to go with the flow—as long as it means a fair shake for servers.

Consumer Trends