Teens name top 7 restaurant chains

Once again, Starbucks has been crowned the top restaurant chain among teen consumers.

The coffee brand edged out six other chains listed in a recent report by financial company Piper Jaffray. As part of its latest Taking Stock With Teenssurvey, the firm spoke with 6,100 teens across 44 U.S. states, and split the data into upper ($101,000/year) and average ($55,000/year) household income categories. Piper Jaffray found that although the share of teen spending on restaurants decreased from 24% in spring 2017—an all-time high—to 22% in fall 2017, it continues to outpace what teens spend on clothing (20%).

Starbucks was noted as being the most-preferred chain among teens from both income categories. Teens' top restaurant choices also included the following six brands, which largely lean toward limited service.

The chicken chain came in second overall in both income categories, and is the only brand aside from Starbucks to be preferred by a double-digit percentage of upper-income teens.

The QSR is most preferred by 5% of upper-income and 6% of average-income teens. Piper Jaffray estimated McDonald’s check average in 2017 to be just over $6, placing it right in the middle of the brands mentioned in both categories.

Although the fast-casual pioneer ranked third among upper-income teens, the brand didn’t crack the top five brands among those from average-income households.

Piper Jaffray found that 4% of upper-income teens prefer Dunkin’ Donuts, while, like Chipotle, it was not listed in the top five among those of average income.

One of just two casual-dining chains on the list, Olive Garden is the top restaurant among 4% of average-income teens.

The casual chain tied with Olive Garden for the fourth most-preferred restaurant among average-income teens.