2022
9
US Restaurant Breakfast and Brunch Trends Report 2022
2022-11-03T03:01:30+00:00
REP75946115_862B_4F09_996A_DF188E8C0D64
3695
157139
[{"name":"Foodservice","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/foodservice"}]
Report
en_GB
“In a time when value has heightened importance, the relative affordability of many breakfast and brunch options makes the daypart a solid place to drive traffic. While menu diversity can…

US Restaurant Breakfast and Brunch Trends Report 2022

Market Intelligence Reports - What's Included
  • Interactive Databook
  • Multiple Report Formats
  • Access to Clients Portal
  • Custom Presentation Tool

This report provides comprehensive and current information and analysis of the restaurant breakfast and brunch market including restaurant breakfast market size, brunch market size, anticipated market forecast, relevant market segmentation, and industry trends for the restaurant breakfast and brunch market in the US.

Current market landscape

Despite the seismic shifts to routines and a heightened call for controlled discretionary spending, the majority of breakfast diners are actually maintaining or even increasing their participation, indicating that breakfast habits may be hard to shake. The relative affordability of breakfast perhaps makes it slightly less vulnerable to rising prices compared to lunch or dinner, suggesting that breakfast may be a solid space for operators to sustain or grow traffic.

Still, lingering elevated prices could have longer-term impact on overall occasions, restaurant choice and even menus in a number of ways: diners trading down, up or out. Among the salient 20% who are cutting back on ordering breakfast/brunch, nearly two thirds cite higher prices and 46% of diners say the price of the items affects where they order breakfast/brunch. Building relationships with diners means making away-from-home breakfast a habitual routine and encouraging customers to boost their visitation frequency, and it must be grounded in value.

While breakfast occasions are gaining momentum, there is still ample room to drive morning visitation and ordering. Diners are more than twice as likely to dine “out” for dinner or lunch. Yet, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials report increased foodservice breakfast occasions this year, compared to only about a quarter of Gen X and older, a bellwether of changing restaurant traffic patterns and a slow visitation evolution. Gen Z and Millennial are prolific diners for brands to build breakfast loyalty with, and they have more fluid demands, signaling a call for operational and menu updates to meet their contemporary needs.

Market share and key restaurant brunch industry trends

  • Shaking up, not breaking, morning routines will be the key to grow AM traffic
    More than half of consumers report their breakfast is the same most days, challenging operators to forge or reinforce habits through taste and incentives that make their brand a regular part of even varied routines.
  • Blend taste experience with convenience
    Consumers cite the leading reason to order breakfast is to treat, yet most occasions still go to convenient LSRs suggesting that it’s not all about indulgence, but rather easing into the day. Brands can deliver on both.
  • Tap into Millennial, Gen Z needs to build loyalty
    Increased breakfast, brunch and even snacking visitation among younger diners point to signs of a shifting dynamic in restaurant visitation that call for the blurring of breakfast and brunch.

Breakfast restaurant industry trends

The biggest challenge to operators to grow morning occasions is also the strongest opportunity: tapping into the habits of breakfast. More than half of consumers eat the same breakfast on most days, yet just short of a quarter of breakfast diners report dining out for breakfast is part of their routine. In a time when change is among a primary constant and the need to demonstrate value is almost universal, there is no better time to create loyalties and incentivize visitation with rewards programs that create a call to action while securing a spot in AM routines.

Read on to discover more about the restaurant breakfast and brunch market consumer market, read our US On-premise Restaurant Technology Market Report 2022, or take a look at our other Foodservice research reports. For information on the retail breakfast market, please see: Frozen Breakfast – US, 2021 and Hot and Cold Cereal – US, 2021.

Quickly understand restaurant breakfast trends

  • Daypart and breakfast/brunch ordering.
  • Changes in breakfast/brunch ordering patterns.
  • Breakfast/brunch ordering by operator segment and occasion breakfast/brunch attitudes and behaviors.
  • Interest in breakfast/brunch menu and operations features.

Covered in this breakfast consumer trend report

Brands include: Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Panera, McDonald’s, Burger King, Denny’s, Nektar, IHOP, Protein Bar, Jamba Juice, Planet Smoothie, .

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

This report, written by Pooja Lal, a leading analyst in the Foodservice sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current consumer breakfast trend reports and add expert context to the numbers.

In a time when value has heightened importance, the relative affordability of many breakfast and brunch options makes the daypart a solid place to drive traffic. While menu diversity can be a call to action that differentiates between operators, incentives in loyalty programs not only inspire occasions, but also secure a spot in AM routines.

Pooja Lal, Foodservice Analyst, Mintel Menu Insights
Pooja Lal
Analyst, US Foodservice and Mintel Menu Insights

Collapse All
  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
    • This Report looks at the following areas
    • Definition
    • Market context
  2. Executive Summary

    • Top takeaways
    • Market overview
      • Figure 1: Trended restaurant ordering, by daypart, 2020-22
    • Challenges and Opportunities
    • Breakfast habituality can be a foe and friend for operators
      • Figure 2: Breakfast attitudes and behaviors – Routine, 2022
    • Enhancing the breakfast and brunch experience for everyone
      • Figure 3: Reasons for foodservice breakfast/brunch, 2022
    • Take a healthy hint from at home breakfast
      • Figure 4: Breakfast/brunch daypart interests, net – Any occasion, 2022
    • Gen Z, Millennials poised to be breakfast dining advocates
      • Figure 5: Typical restaurant ordering, by generation, 2022
  3. Market Factors

    • Is breakfast still considered the most important meal of the day?
    • Lingering elevated protein, egg and dairy prices will challenge breakfast operators and diners
      • Figure 6: Changes in Consumer Price Index, 2021-23
      • Figure 7: Breakfast/brunch ordering decision
    • Labor shortage growingly exasperated as restaurant industry recovers
      • Figure 8: Quit levels, accommodation and foodservices, 2020-21
  4. Competitive Strategies and Market Opportunities

    • Brands target snacking through breakfast portability
      • Figure 9: Foodservice snackable breakfast bites introductions
    • Brands dip deep into value messaging and menus
    • Bowls can bridge the gap between breakfast, brunch, health and indulgence
      • Figure 10: Bowls on menus
    • Tapping into “health” through protein
      • Figure 11: Protein forward breakfast menu options
  5. The Foodservice Breakfast Consumer – Fast Facts

  6. Foodservice Ordering by Daypart

    • Breakfast recovery points to opportunity to build fresh habits
      • Figure 12: Restaurant ordering, 2020-22
    • Millennials, Gen Z driving the return to breakfast
      • Figure 13: Restaurant ordering by generation
  7. Changes in Breakfast/Brunch Ordering

    • Diners more likely to be increasing breakfast ordering than cutting back
      • Figure 14: Change in breakfast ordering, 2022
    • Gen Z, Millennials driving return to breakfast
      • Figure 15: Change in breakfast ordering, by generation
    • Value centric breakfast deals will resonate across income levels
      • Figure 16: Change in breakfast ordering, by Household Income
    • Be a part of parental morning routines
      • Figure 17: Change in breakfast ordering, by parental status
  8. Restaurant Breakfast/Brunch Attitudes and Behaviors

    • Breakfast habits are hard to break, so bend them
      • Figure 18: Breakfast/brunch attitudes and behaviors
    • Men willing to forgo convenience for product quality
      • Figure 19: Breakfast/brunch attitudes and behaviors, by gender
    • Get more out of Gen Z with value driven promotions
      • Figure 20: Breakfast/brunch attitudes and behaviors, by Generation
    • Quality outweighs price for many parents
      • Figure 21: Breakfast/brunch attitudes and behaviors, by parental status
  9. Breakfast/Brunch Ordering by Location

    • QSR breakfast stands tall against breakfast/brunch competition
      • Figure 22: Breakfast/Brunch ordering, by segment
      • Figure 23: Breakfast/Brunch ordering, by segment
  10. Reasons for Ordering Breakfast/Brunch

    • Meet weekday and weekend occasions in the middle with enjoyment
      • Figure 24: Reasons for foodservice breakfast/brunch
    • Anytime menus offer a common connection
      • Figure 25: Reasons for foodservice breakfast/brunch by gender
    • Transition Gen Zs from social to solo occasions
      • Figure 26: Reasons for foodservice breakfast/brunch, by generation
    • Create the break from parenting
      • Figure 27: Reasons for foodservice breakfast/brunch by parental status
  11. Interest in Breakfast/Brunch Menu and Operations Features

    • MTO and customizable = healthy to breakfast diners
      • Figure 28: Breakfast/brunch daypart interests, net – Any occasion, 2022
    • Women want fresher, customizable menu items
      • Figure 29: Breakfast/brunch daypart interests, 2022
    • Millennials, Gen Z are reshaping breakfast/brunch programs
      • Figure 30: Breakfast/brunch daypart interests, by generation, 2022
  12. Healthy Breakfast/Brunch Choices

    • Protein tops the list of healthy breakfasts
      • Figure 31: Perceptions of healthy breakfast behaviors, 2022
    • Gen Z, Millennials changing perceptions of healthy breakfast meaning
      • Figure 32: Perceived healthy breakfast behaviors, by generation, 2022
  13. Breakfast/Brunch Ordering Behaviors

    • Creative adds to familiar favorites can enhance habits rather than break them
      • Figure 33: Breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, 2022
    • Woo women diners with flexible promotions
      • Figure 34: Breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, by gender, 2022
    • Incentivize Gen Z exploration
      • Figure 35: Breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, by generation, 2022
  14. Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

    • Consumer survey data
    • Marketing creative
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations

Why Choose Mintel?

Mintel is the world’s leading market intelligence agency. We show you how consumers think today and tomorrow. As a trusted partner to industry leaders, we deliver game-changing insights to businesses across the globe, fuelling their marketing and innovation strategies that will shape the future.

Access high-quality market research with every purchase of Mintel’s consumer reports. Here’s what else is included in your report purchase:

  • Multiple Report Formats: Mintel’s reports are available in PDF and PPT formats, and are delivered straight to your inbox, so you can easily share Mintel’s market intelligence.
  • Access to Mintel’s Clients Portal: After your purchase is completed, you’ll receive an invitation to join Mintel’s Clients Portal, providing instant access to supplementary insights from Mintel’s industry experts.
  • Interactive Databook: Mintel’s bespoke consumer data is presented as an interactive website, so you can deep dive into your chosen topic, explore demographics and download specific statistics.
  • Custom Presentation Tool: Easily incorporate selected research data and analysis into a tailor-made presentation to win over clients and stakeholders.

Below is a generic PDF sample report. Understand what you are buying.

Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
£ 3,695 (Excl.Tax)
  • Instant access when you pay by credit card
  • Add multiple reports to your cart to receive a discount
Add to cart

Is this report right for you?

From consumer reports to customised growth strategies. We have an option to suit your business requirements.

Find out more

Popular Related Reports

US Restaurant Marketing Strategies Report 2025

£ 3,695

The restaurant marketing landscape in the US has evolved over the last two years, with a shift towards digital discovery and social media engagement over more traditional forms...

Find out more

US Fast Casual Restaurants Market Report 2025

£ 3,695

The evergreen demand for convenience, customization, and quality continues to shape the fast casual industry. 42% of diners prefer fast casual restaurants for lunch, underscoring the close ties...

Find out more

US Dining Out Dayparts Consumer Report 2025

£ 3,695

Dining habits are becoming increasingly fluid as traditional mealtimes fade, particularly among younger consumers who prioritize convenience and indulgence. During periods of economic uncertainty, more dining occasions shift...

Find out more

US Quick Service Restaurants Market Report 2025

£ 3,695

Affordability is a double-edged sword for the quick service restaurants market, driving customer traffic yet challenging their ability to maintain their reputation amid rising costs and inflation. Varchasvi -...

Find out more

US Sandwiches, Subs and Wraps Market Report 2025

£ 3,695

90% of consumers have purchased a sandwich, sub or wrap away from home over the last 12 months, underscoring the appeal of their...

Find out more

US Social Media Influence on Food and Foodservice Consumer Report 2025

£ 3,695

Social media is deeply integrated into consumer habits, with nearly 90% of US users reporting daily activity. The top used social media apps are also the ones consumers...

Find out more

Trusted by global industry leaders

Deutsch logo

One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.

We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.

We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.

Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Abacus logo

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Wincanton logo

When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.

They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.

So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.

Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom

Is this report right for you?

From consumer reports to customised growth strategies. We have an option to suit your business requirements.

Find out more