1851

Millennials are a generation described in a lot of ways by a lot of people. &nbsp;Whether these early 20- to late 30-year-olds embody or defy society&rsquo;s stereotypes of them, there is one thing for certain &mdash; they are emerging consumers with spending power that they use selectively, and the restaurant industry has changed enormously due to their influence. Now, it&rsquo;s imperative for industry players to pay attention. &nbsp;

An inclination toward the healthy option

1851 Franchise Chief Development Strategist Sean Fitzgerald said he&rsquo;s seen a massive shift in the QSR space toward healthier and faster. &nbsp;&ldquo;Millennials move fast. Their days are packed and they don&rsquo;t want to spend time waiting in line, but they aren&rsquo;t willing to sacrifice quality of food. They are rewarding brands that are able to provide higher-quality, more natural food that plugs into their schedule,&rdquo; Fitzgerald said. 

An emphasis on speed and simplicity via technology

&ldquo;QSR franchises that are improving their technology to improve speed of service are the ones accommodating millennials most effectively,&rdquo; Fitzgerald said. Features like mobile ordering and electronic menu boards that mitigate transactions allow for more productive use of time when there isn&rsquo;t much to be had and position brands favorably with this audience. &nbsp;

These developments pair best with a product that is simple &mdash; a distinct offering with a succinct menu. 

&ldquo;Brands also need to understand their target audience and execute at a high level,&rdquo; Fitzgerald added. &ldquo;Mistakes are made when brands try to accommodate too large of a customer base. Millennials are key responders to the simplicity model.&rdquo; 

Dining in is Out

Delivery services like Postmates, Uber Eats and GrubHub, among others, provide consumers with endless options from the comfort of their own residence, and millennials are at the forefront of that shift. &ldquo;Consumers&rsquo; at-home food options have expanded exponentially, revolutionizing the industry and forcing brands to adapt or become irrelevant,&rdquo; Fitzgerald said

3 Restaurant Industry Shifts Owed to Millennial Influence

1851 Franchise

Like it or not, they can’t be ignored. Here’s a list of 3 ways millennial purchasing behavior is affecting the whole industry.

3-restaurant-industry-shifts-owed-to-millennial-influence

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

3 Restaurant Industry Shifts Owed to Millennial Influence

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS