US Family Dining Trends Market Report 2022

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

Current market landscape

Families are highly engaged restaurant users, and off-premise restaurant occasions are a key driver; 62% order restaurant meals for takeout for their family. This suggests that parents value the relaxed atmosphere and convenience of dining at home.

The pandemic has served to solidify the advantages of convenience, value, and experience that takeout and delivery procurement methods provide. The industry has a long road ahead in the return to normalcy for in-person family dining, and COVID-19 remains a driver in how families approach restaurant use. More than one quarter of parents cite lack of COVID-19 safety policies at restaurants as a barrier to dining out with their family.

Future market trends in US family dining

While families prefer restaurant over retail for prepared meals, foodservice competition from retail continues to grow, especially after families were reminded of the value and convenience of retail prepared options throughout the pandemic. To remain competitive, restaurants must continue to promote time-saving and affordable meals such as family meal deals or at-home meal kits.

When choosing a restaurant to dine at with their family, menu variety is more important to parents than attentive service, atmosphere, speed or meal deals. The desire for greater menu variety seems to be rooted in the lack of interesting kids’ menu items. Parents are ready to see innovation of sophisticated, healthy and internationally inspired kids’ menu options.

Read on to discover more about this family dining trend report, read our US Restaurant Breakfast and Brunch Trends Market Report 2021, or take a look at our other Food and Foodservice research reports.

Quickly understand family dining trends

• How and where families tend to order restaurant meals.
• Changes in family dining behaviors over the last two years, including shifts in preparing food at home and use of takeout/delivery.
• Factors parents see as barriers to dining at a restaurant with their family.
• Factors that motivate parents when choosing a restaurant for their family.
• A look at what menu items kids order and related family dining behaviors.

Covered in this report

Brands include: KFC, Burger King, Del Taco, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shake Shack, Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, Denny’s, Panera, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Hat Creek Burger Company, CiCi’s Pizza, Golden Corral, Morton’s Steakhouse, Chuck E. Cheese, Rainforest Cafe, Capital Grille, IHOP, Olive Garden, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart, Chili’s.

Expert analysis from a specialist in family dining in the US

This report, written by Amanda Topper, a leading analyst in the Food and Foodservice sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the family dining market in the US, and add expert context to the numbers.

Amidst a struggling industry, foodservice operators can lean on families in the return to growth. Beyond procurement enhancements, restaurant operators must place greater emphasis on developing menu variety – giving kids more than the status quo meal. To win family dining business, restaurant operators must focus on speed and convenience, affordable pricing, and kid-friendly amenities.

Amanda Topper
Director, US Research