If “age is just a number,” why do researchers and entire industries spend so much time lumping people into age-defined groups and studying how these different generations behave?
Well, the answer is simple — it has a whole lot to do with money.
According to Pew Research, age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. By understanding the likes, dislikes, habits, inclinations, expectations, and motivations of entire generations of diners, foodservice operators can better predict where and how people will spend their money. As a result, they can shape their offerings and create experiences that’ll attract the attention and loyalty of their most lucrative audiences.
Today, we take a look at three critical generations of diners with significant spending power: Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z. They all love to eat, but each generation looks for something a little different in a dining occasion.
Ready to explore this great generational divide? Check out the below infographic, which covers everything from how Gen X, Y and Z feel about foodservice technologies to their preferences around on-premise dining, to-go, meal kits, trending ingredients, and more.
