Family Dining Restaurants Are Well-Positioned for Renewed Growth

While some chains need to revitalize their menu and decor, family dining has managed to weather the recessionary storm better than their casual dining counterparts. In fact, recent Technomic research indicates that many of today's value-conscious consumers actually prefer family dining restaurants for several dining occasions.

'Moms in particular are often likely to choose a family-dining restaurant due to their kid-friendly menus and atmospheres, and the real value offered by these restaurants," says Ron Paul, President of Technomic. "At this time we believe our supplier-clients should pay special attention to family dining. Few other operator-customers offer the breadth of menu items, often serving at least three meals a day.'

The current state of affairs for the family dining segment will be explored in Technomic's current study, Family Dining: The Next Generation. Related findings fueling the need for this research include:

- Over half of consumers (51 percent) view family-style restaurants as the most suitable restaurant choice for breakfast.

- Family-style restaurants have experienced slightly fewer consumers cutting back by visiting less often, but purchasing less expensive food items than casual dining restaurants.

Leading family dining chains, compared to leading casual dining chains, prove to be a more appealing option for moms and rate higher to providing family friendly experiences:

How would you rate your favorite sit-down restaurants' kids offerings?

Source:2009 Technomic Kids & Moms Consumer Trend Report; survey of 1,500 moms with kids under age 12 comparing their favorite family dining restaurant vs. their favorite casual dining restaurant

Technomic's study, Family Dining: The Next Generation, provides valuable insights to help manufacturers effectively and efficiently target this segment. It is tailored to a supplier's product line and includes a selling guide for chains studied. The research will also include exclusive consumer insights, which will be offered to restaurant operators. To learn more, please contact Ron Paul at 312-876-0004.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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