My days pulling up to a fast food chain's drive-through to purchase burgers and fries are over, for all practical purposes. Although I fall solidly in the Boomer camp, our three resident Millennials have asked for years that we bypass McD's, BK, etc. to instead drive to Chipotle Grill, Panera Bread or a number of local casual dining spots.
The result has been my out-of-home dining habits have changed over time. I know I can't be alone in this, which is why I find articles that focus on the challenges fast feeders face attracting Millennials as not being entirely on point. Children influence their parents' consumption habits just as the reverse is true.
Now, there's no doubt that younger consumers on the whole are more adventurous in their eating habits than their parents were at the same age. There's plenty of evidence both statistical and anecdotal that points to that.
Source: Panera Facebook page
New Technomic research, for example, projects fast causal restaurant sales are expected to grow from the $39 billion posted last year to $62 billion in 2019. Millennials, Darren Tristano, executive vice president at Technomic, told the Chicago Tribune, want higher quality food, albeit at affordable prices. Affordable these days ranges between $9 and $13 per check.
Millennials' influence on their parents is no minor consideration. According to numerous reports, many 18 to 34-year-olds are still reliant on their parents because of the challenges they have faced finding gainful employment and paying down college debt. A survey conducted by Bank of America and USA Today found 19 percent are still living at home and not paying rent or expenses.