1851

Millennials and baby boomers, the two largest consumer segments, represent an estimated $783 billion in restaurant sales. They share a common love of cuisine and great service. But they want different things from restaurants. Millennials prefer trendy cuisines. They are drawn to the latest tableside and social-media technologies for communicating with restaurants and receiving marketing messages. In contrast, boomers are more likely to embrace familiar foods and more familiar technologies such as email, according to the 2016 Restaurant Industry Forecast from the National Restaurant Association. The same report finds millennials are anywhere from two to three times more likely than boomers to have used a restaurant electronic ordering tablet or a tableside payment terminal. The two groups diverge in their approach to restaurant loyalty as well. In one study, 40 percent of millennials say they prefer apps over loyalty cards to interact with restaurant loyalty programs. And they're more likely than boomers to favor loyalty programs that offer a social or competitive component. <p style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">How can restaurants cater to both groups, when their behaviors and preferences don't always align? <p style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">A few key strategies focused on overall satisfaction and targeted loyalty can bridge the gaps across this broad and valuable customer base, lessening the impact of generational differences. <p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">1. Don&#8217;t just cover the basics&#8212;take them to a new level <p style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Everyone, regardless of age, appreciates great food, great service and a sense that every restaurant employee&#8212;front or back of house&#8212;is dedicated to a singularly satisfying dining experience. Delivering on these fundamentals will attract new diners, keep existing diners satisfied and support long-term engagement and advocacy from both groups. According to the NRA, great food that they can't make at home easily is appealing to both groups (67 percent of millennials, 51 percent of boomers). <p style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">2. Look to the future and make it mobile <p style=" background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: white; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Forty percent of millennials are embracing technology and mobile features for their dining decisions, according to the NRA, while only 26 percent of boomers are doing the same. Make it easy for smartphone-savvy (or less-than-savvy) diners to find information about the establishment, place orders, pay checks and manage their rewards. Mobile capabilities and tools&#8212;including a robust and easy-to-use mobile app&#8212;are a plus. <a href="http://restaurant-hospitality.com/marketing/how-engage-both-millennials-and-boomers?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-hospitality-how-restaurants-can-engage-both-millennials-and-baby-boomers-5340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read the full list.

1851 Franchise

Even though the two largest consumer groups expect different things from restaurants, there are strategies that brands can use to successfully reach both.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Restaurant Hospitality: How Restaurants Can Engage Both Millennials and Baby Boomers 

restaurant-hospitality-how-restaurants-can-engage-both-millennials-and-baby-boomers

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service representative giving presentation

Strategic Partnerships Fuel Franchise Growth at HomeTeam Inspection Service

hometeam-inspection-service-franchise-growth-partnerships

Express Employment Professionals

What’s in the 2025 FDD? A Closer Look for Express Employment Professionals Franchise Buyers

whats-in-the-2025-fdd-a-closer-look-for-express-employment-professionals-franchise-buyers

petbar

How-petbar-Makes-Pets-and-Their-Owners-Happy-as-Part-of-the-Family-in-a-Clean-and-Fun-Environment

How petbar Makes Pets and Their Owners Happy as Part of the Family in a Clean and Fun Environment

petbar-franchise-opportunity-boutique-pet-grooming

petbar Franchisees Win the $6.89B Global Market With Complete Transparency, Self-Service and Membership Models, Creating the Happiest Place for Dogs

petbar-franchise-opportunity

Why petbar Wants to Be the “Disney World for Dogs” — and a Dream Business for Franchisees

petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa

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

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

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

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

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

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

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

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

Restaurant Hospitality: How Restaurants Can Engage Both Millennials and Baby Boomers

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS