While the trend of implementing “no
kids” policies at high-end restaurants may be making headlines across the
country, catering to kids and creating family-friendly dining environments can
be a smart way to grow your business and build brand loyalty.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
recently reported that the average American family forked over $3,370 on meals
away from home in 2011. Add to this the fact that, according to the National Restaurant Association, parties
with kids accounted for $84 billion and 15 billion visits last year, it’s easy
to see why having a reputation for being “family-friendly” can be key to your success.
Contrary to what people may think,
parents really DO enjoy dining out with their children. According to a 2013
survey conducted by Restaurant.com, nearly 6 out of 10 parents dine
out with their children at least once a week.
Their reasons for dining out include:
- 70% say
that going out to eat with their kids is a great way to spend time with
the family
- 66%
reported that they like not having to cook
- 65%
appreciate the fact that everyone can order what they want
- 65% liked
not having to do dishes
So
what are the key ingredients for a successful family-friendly restaurant?
Delicious food, great service and fun
activities that make the dining experience a pleasure — for children, as well
as their parents.
Consider the 5 following tips:
- Keep Kids Entertained
Activity placemats that feature puzzles
such as word finds, crosswords, and connect-the-dots, as well as games such as tic-tac-toe
can be a smart way to keep little ones busy — as well as provide activities
they can do with their parents. From mermaids and treasure chests to zoo
animals and sports, Superior Menus offers a variety of activity
placements, each with their own special theme.
- Keep Things Colorful
Fifty-three percent of the parents
surveyed by Restaurant.com reported that coloring was the key way they
entertained their children while dining.
A must-have for any restaurant that
caters to kids, crayons
and coloring
sheets are a popular way to keep children occupied and provide them the
opportunity to tap into their creative side.
- Make It Healthy
According to the National Restaurant Association, “healthy
kids’ meals” was the No. 3 restaurant trend in 2013. If you haven’t signed up
already, their Kids
LiveWell initiative is worth checking out. Designed to help restaurants and
food providers offer menu items that meet specific nutritional guidelines, it
makes it easy for families to eat out and
eat healthy. It’s almost as easy as it is to customize and order our unique
selection of kids
menus. The hardest part is choosing which theme!
- Serve It in Kid-Proof Containers
When it comes to kid-friendly
dinnerware, kid-proof containers such as our plastic tumblers
are a sure bet. Not only are they colorful and fun, they come with a plastic
lid and make a great “souvenir” that kids can take home with them and reuse.
- Make Them an Offer They Can’t Refuse
Nearly all respondents (96 percent) of
the Restaurant.com survey reported that they have used a coupon or a
deal when dining out with their children. Thirty percent reported they do so
more often than not. Whether it’s a “Kids Eat Free Day” or “Free Dessert,”
discounts and coupons are a great way to keep them coming back for more.
Interested in learning more about how
Superior Menus can help you cater to kids? Visit the Kids Products section on
our website. And if you’d like to share your own strategy for keeping young
patrons engaged and entertained, we’d love to hear about it. Please post your
story below.
