TORONTO — Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are attracting more visits from out-of-home diners across the country in comparison to full-service restaurants (FSR), and millennials are leading that statistic, reports The NPD Group.
“While millennials are a major target for the foodservice industry, seniors are becoming progressively crucial to the market,” said Robert Carter, executive director of Foodservice, The NPD Group.
“The overarching trend, however, is that Canadians of all ages are having more sit-down meals at home and grabbing quick bites from fast-food restaurants while on the go.”
QSRs attract 64 per cent of traffic while FSRs attract 24 per cent and grocery and other retail outlets attract 12 per cent. Overall, millennials have had an increase of 157-million visits in the past six years, while the combined visits of boomers and mature traditionalists (65 and older) increased by 241 million.
The Canadian foodservice industry is seeing its highest dollar volume in six years, reaching $48 billion spent, and the FSR segment continues to experience the most challenges. The solution? According to the NPD’s second-annual Chef Panel Discussion, FSRs need greater variety with local, healthy and sample portions on their menus as well as social-media interaction.
