Chicago-based foodservice consulting firm Technomic this week released a report detailing the emerging trend of adult-style kids’ menus.
The 2009 Kids’ Marketing & Menu Report provides an in-depth analysis of the kids’ menu category for the 250 largest chain restaurants as well as leading emerging chains and independents based on Technomic’s proprietary MenuMonitor database and industry data.
More kids menus are featuring smaller portions of traditional adult offerings such as seafood, premium steaks, locally-sourced health foods and bolder ethnic flavors.
The findings also show that parents who value local, organic and natural culinary attributes are beginning to steer their children away from conventional offerings such as mac-and-cheese and chicken fingers in favor of fresh seafood, baked or grilled chicken, organic vegetables and premium cuts of meat.
Darren Tristano, executive VP at Technomic, said that while there is not a lot of seafood on kids’ menus across the board, the current trend is an opportunity for restaurants to fill that gap to provide seafood, which is a healthier option than fried foods or pizzas.
“In terms of seafood there’s an opportunity for restaurants to introduce it to kids, allowing them to get exposed to it at a younger age to start to crave it and want to order it,” says Tristano. To purchase or learn more about the report visit Technomic’s Web site at www.foodpubs.com.
February 3, 2009
