Hispanics make up 16 percent of the U.S. population, according to 2010 census figures. This group makes 9.8 billion restaurant visits a year, but how and when they visit depends on their primary language. Recent NPD foodservice research revealed the following differences:
- Spanish-speaking Hispanics are more likely to patronize restaurants for breakfast, with 31% of this group’s visits occurring during the morning meal
- Snacking is also big: 22% of Spanish-speaking Hispanics in NPD’s test survey visited during the afternoon or evening snack daypart
- Among English-speaking Hispanics, lunch and dinner are more popular; 34% visit restaurants for lunch and 32% for dinner
- Hispanics as a group are more likely to bring children to restaurants. More than 50% of Spanish speakers and about 33% of English speakers have kids in tow, while only 29% of visits by non-Hispanics include parties with children
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