What do consumers want from casual dining?

Business has been improving slightly for the casual-dining segment, with full-year 2018 sales up 1.1%, according to Technomic. Still, “it’s increasingly clear that the segment needs to modernize to ramp up growth,” Technomic says. For some brands, that means adding technology that increases consumer convenience. For others, it’s revamping the menu to offer more fresh, better-for-you options that fit with modern diets. Despite these efforts, some of which are already in motion, consumers still have gripes with CDRs.

More than half (53%) say the same of traditional CDRs. For both, men and millennials drive patronage.

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report

While cost is the most common deterrent, 7% say the food doesn’t taste good, and 6% name poor food quality and overall value as the reason they aren’t visiting CDRs.

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report

Consumers spend an average of $23 at traditional casual-dining restaurants and $29.20 at upscale CDRs. Younger diners tend to spend slightly more than those 35 or older. At the same time, the number of items on casual-dining menus is down 1.9%.

“As CDRs look to revitalize growth, expect to see brands evolve in a way that further highlights differentiation,” Technomic says. “That is, brands will become more specialized in what they offer and in which occasions they target.”

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report

One in 5 are more likely to frequent an independent, whereas 40% don’t veer one way or the other.

When it comes to upscale casual dining, 28% are more likely to visit independents, while 34% are more likely to go to a chain.

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report

Just 4% of traditional casual-dining occasions are for delivery, and 11% are for takeout.

Price and time concerns are the major deterrents of delivery orders from CDRs. Nearly 2 in 5 consumers say they don’t want to pay a delivery fee, and 39% think the order will take too long.  

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report

This shows that discounts still play into patronage at casual-dining restaurants.

Source: Technomic Future of FSR Consumer Trend Report