American families that share meals together are more likely to be happier and healthier, according to research conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). Mintel’s custom consumer research reveals that the vast majority of families frequently dine together at restaurants. This means the foodservice industry plays an integral role in the lives of American families.

This report explores the factors that shape how families eat at restaurants. Mintel provides valuable insights that can help you make informed decisions in tailoring marketing messages to families, launching new menu items with family appeal, and identifying opportunities as they pertain to American families and dining out. Insights into, along with meaningful analysis and discussion of, the following topics are included:

American families that share meals together are more likely to be happier and healthier, according to research conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). Mintel’s custom consumer research reveals that the vast majority of families frequently dine together at restaurants. This means the foodservice industry plays an integral role in the lives of American families.

This report explores the factors that shape how families eat at restaurants. Mintel provides valuable insights that can help you make informed decisions in tailoring marketing messages to families, launching new menu items with family appeal, and identifying opportunities as they pertain to American families and dining out. Insights into, along with meaningful analysis and discussion of, the following topics are included:

Restaurant industry sales and market outlook

Recessionary factors that contribute to troubled restaurant sales

Trends in annual spending on food away from home by family consumer units

Effects of demographic shifts on restaurant usage, with particular focus on the child population and Hispanics

Discussion of health and wellness trends as they apply to families, along with the subsequent impact on restaurant usage

Trends for at-home dining by families, and ways restaurants can entice families to dine out

Menu analysis by daypart, menu item, kids’ meals, price, and marketing claim, underscored with industry examples

Analysis of family-centric marketing and promotional strategies by leading restaurant operators

Family restaurant usage by weekday and weekend use; daypart; and restaurant segment

Family habits and rationales for dining out, with special focus on how the recession has impacted family dining habits

What parents want to see on kids’ menus, as well as interest in healthy/nutritional meals for both parents and kids