It’s taken some restaurateurs a little while to accommodate the idea of “tweens” – those 9-to-12 year olds who are making up an increasingly important market segment. And new info by Technomic and C3 shows that it can’t hurt to have menu items that appeal to guests in this age group.
The information was taken from a survey that included more than 1,500 customers to compile a rough picture of teen and “tween” dining habits.
What the Tweens told Technomic
This “older younger guest” set told Technomic that they specifically wanted separate menus for themselves. Of course they don’t want the “kiddie” menus. But adult menus can seem scary or – worse – downright boring.
What should you put on your tween menus? The answers will depend on both the food and the demographic(s) you serve. Menu items should be mostly simple – yet customizable enough to let your tween customers feel in control of their dining experience. And above all, they shouldn’t be boring!
But What About Teen Restaurant Guests?
Teens are a little more adventurous than their younger tween counterparts. They told the surveyors that they are looking for exciting new concepts.
This doesn’t have to be just about the food they eat. It can include rule-breaking novelties (such as the “throw your peanut shells on the floor” style of some chain steakhouses) or high-tech gadgetry. Buffalo Wild Wings is testing out iPads in one of its locations in Toronto, and you can bet this would be an easy hit with most teens.
You don’t have to drop thousands of dollars on Apple products to entice technology-literate teens, however. A whole host of electronic devices are being introduced that allow guests to order and even pay without ever leaving their table, or having to wait for your wait staff to input their orders.
Teen and Tween Voting Power
58% of teens and 54% of tweens told Technomic that their families worked together to decide on where the family should eat out. So it definitely pays to make sure you keep your teen and tween guests in mind the next time you revamp your menus.
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