Not only are millennial parents the highest restaurant users of any group, but they also spend more than other groups, too.
So it’s little wonder why chains would want to cater to these families, nearly 80% of which report visiting restaurants at least once a week, according to Consumer Brand Metrics data from Restaurant Business sister company Technomic.
Millennial diners with kids in their party report spending $22 at limited-service restaurants—twice the consumer average—and $40 at full-service restaurants, compared to $25 for the average diner, Technomic found.
Parents born between the years of 1977 and 1992 say a restaurant’s “kid-friendliness” is the most important criteria when choosing a place to dine. Also crucial for millennial families are a robust kids menu with healthy options, use of technology to improve the overall experience, and whether the restaurant offers entertainment via video, TV or tabletop technology, according to Technomic.
Here are the most kid-friendly chains and the percentage of diners who rated the brand as “very good” at catering to families, according to millennial parents surveyed by Technomic.
- Chick-fil A, 74%
- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, 68.2%
- Cicis, 64.1%
- Friendly’s, 63.6%
- First Watch, 63.2%
- Cold Stone Creamery, 63%
- Culver’s, 61.6%
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 61.2%
- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, 57%
- Texas Roadhouse, 58.1%
Learn more about America's Favorite Chains.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.