Many factors influence how we as Americans eat - everything from our age to
how much money we earn to whether or not we have children in our lives whose
dietary needs or whims must be prioritized daily. As a result our eating
habits are as varied and individualized as we ourselves are. Food industry
players nonetheless have opportunities to target a wide variety of consumers
whose choices often revolve among three key priorities: health, convenience,
and variety.
In this data-packed Packaged Facts report, How We Eat: Retail and Foodservice
Opportunities in When and Where America Eats, we examine modern mealtime
habits and how these three core food priorities combine into a variety of
trends that will continue to influence the food and beverage landscape into
the foreseeable future. Our look at when Americans eat not only tracks in
detail the times when various consumer segments are having meals, but how
these patterns influence their tendencies to snack, to eat more than three
meal a day, to make unhealthy food choices, and to eat socially or alone.
Our analysis also spans retail and foodservice. Food spending, whether at home
or at restaurants, has been driven by the youngest and the oldest adult
brackets. seniors are spending somewhat more on both food at home and food
away from home than they did in 2007, while younger adult consumers are
spending a great deal more on food at home (20%) and food away from home
(23%). Spending growth among younger adults is driven by population increases,
whereas spending increases among older consumers suggest a lifestyle change -
not coincidentally, 2011 marks the first year that Baby Boomers have reached
the age of 65. These consumers bring with them not only household wealth
accrued over time, but also restaurant engagement levels greater than that of
earlier generations, driving spending growth.
Scope and Methodology
The research in this report is based primarily on Packaged Facts' ongoing
coverage of the food and beverage retail and foodservice markets. This
includes data analyzed from Packaged Facts' proprietary Food Shopper Insights
Survey, conducted in March 2011 and based on a sample of 2,000 U.S. adults
balanced to census data on measures of gender, age bracket, geographic region,
household income level, and presence of children in the household). The report
also draws on customized cross tabulations of data from The Experian Simmons
National Consumer Survey covering Spring 2007 through Fall 2011. Additional
information was gathered from various government, business, and trade media
including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Executive Summary
Overview
Scope and Methodology
Mealtime Trends
The Return of the Home Cooked Meal
The Blurring Line Between Snacks and Meals
The Rise of the Fourthmeal
Eating Alone Is Becoming a New Normal
Ready Meals with a Healthy Twist Prove Ideal for Busy Lifestyles
Vitamins and Minerals from Real Foods not Supplements
Millennials Spur Collision of Technology and Foodservice
The Passing of the Generational Torch
Eating Trends
Snacking in America
Table 1-1: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Afternoon, Evening Snacks Are Most Popular
Table 1-2: Mealtime and Snacking Patterns: By Gender, March 2011
(percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Table 1-3: Patterns for Snacking Alone or With Others: Weekdays vs.
Weekends, March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
At-Home Snacks More Popular
When America Eats
Table 1-4: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Who Eats Together, Who Eats Alone
Healthy Habits and Eating Patterns
Table 1-5: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Foodservice Trends
Hispanics Driving Growth in Food Spending
Table 1-6: Food, Food at Home, Food Away from Home & Restaurant
Expense: Hispanic v. Non-Hispanic, 2007-2010
Growth at Opposite Ends of the Age Spectrum
Importance of $100K+ Households
Restaurant Usage by Major Segment
Table 1-7: Restaurant Usage by Major Segment, 3-Year Growth Index,
2008-2011
Restaurant Usage Trends by Generation
Restaurant Usage Trends by Household Income
Restaurant Usage Trends by Race/Ethnicity
Table 1-8: Prepared Foods Usage, Mean Usage and Usage Share by Retail
Channel, 2012
Prepared Foods at Convenience Stores and Supermarkets
Key Points: Institutional Foodservice
Key Points: University Foodservice
Key Points: Corporate Foodservice
Key Points: Healthcare Foodservice
Key Points: U.S. Sports and Recreation Foodservice
Key Points: U.S. Amusement Park Foodservice
Eating at Restaurants by Daypart
Table 1-9: Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By Gender &
Generation, 2011
Meal Time Location Analysis
Chapter 2: Mealtime Trends
The Return of the Home Cooked Meal
The Correlation Between a Healthy/Happy Family and Meals at Home
The Blurring Line Between Snacks and Meals
“Better-For-You” Snack Products in High Demand
Healthy Snacks Gain Significance with American Parents
The Rise of the Fourthmeal
Eating Alone Is Becoming a New Normal
Ready Meals with a Healthy Twist Prove Ideal for Busy Lifestyles
Vitamins and Minerals from Real Foods not Supplements
Millennials Spur Collision of Technology and Foodservice
Tracking Sustainability Online
Catering for the Adventurous
The Passing of the Torch: Millennials Are Becoming Greater Preoccupation
for Marketers
Exotic Flavors and Ethnic Cuisine Find a Home at Local Retailers
Chapter 3: Eating Trends
Overview
Snacking Patterns
Snacking, Fast Food, and the Return of Home Cooking in America
Table 3-1: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
U.S. Snack Market to Reach $77 Billion in 2015
Table 3-2: Projected U.S. Retail Sales of Snack Foods, 2010-2015 (in
billions of dollars)
Afternoon, Evening Snacks Are Most Popular
Table 3-3: Meals/Snacks Typically Eaten: Overall and by Gender, March
2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Table 3-4: Mealtime and Snacking Patterns: By Gender, March 2011
(percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Table 3-5: Patterns for Snacking Alone or With Others: Weekdays vs.
Weekends, March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
At-Home Snacks More Popular
Table 3-6: Patterns for Snacking at Home or Away from Home: Weekdays
vs. Weekends, March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Table 3-7: Patterns for Snacking in Home Kitchen or Elsewhere in Home:
Weekdays vs. Weekends, March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Table 3-8: Patterns for Snacking at Table, at Kitchen Counter, or
Elsewhere in Home: Weekdays vs. Weekends, March 2011 (percent of U.S.
grocery shoppers)
When America Eats: An Hour by Hour Analysis
Table 3-9: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: By Generational Age Bracket,
2011 (percent and index)
Breakfast Cluster (7:00 am - 9:59 am)
Figure 3-1: Percent Who Eat During Breakfast (7:00 am - 9:59 am): By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent)
Lunch Cluster (12:00 pm - 2:59 pm)
Figure 3-2: Percent Who Eat During Lunch (12:00 pm - 2:59 pm): By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent)
Dinner Cluster (5:00 pm - 7:59 pm)
Figure 3-3: Percent Who Eat During Dinner (5:00 pm - 7:59 pm): By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent)
Fourthmeal Cluster (10:00 pm - 5:59 am)
Figure 3-4: Percent Who Eat “Fourthmeal” (10:00 pm - 5:59
am): By Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent)
Who Eats Together, Who Eats Alone
Table 3-10: Social Eating Patterns by Hour of Day: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-11: Solo Eating Patterns by Hour of Day: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-12: Social or Solo Eating Patterns When Dining at Family
Restaurants/Steakhouses or at Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurants: By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Consumer Eating Psychographics
Healthy Habits and Eating Patterns
Table 3-13: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
“Better-For-You” Snack Products in High Demand
Natural and Organic Product Claims in Food and Beverage
Table 3-14: Consumer Opinion on Natural and Organic Products,
February 2011 (percent)
Majority of Americans Seek Healthy Lifestyles
Figure 3-5: Consumer Psychographics: Physical Health and Fitness,
March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Groceries and Consumer Health Goals
Figure 3-6: Consumer Psychographics: Healthy Eating and Dieting,
March 2011 (percent of U.S. grocery shoppers)
Older Americans Favor Health, While Young Adults More Likely to Have
Unhealthy Eating Habits
Table 3-15: Selected Psychographic Patterns Associated With Unhealthy
Eating Habits: By Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-16: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Adventurous Eaters
Table 3-17: Selected Foodie Psychographics: By Generational Age
Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Dining on a Budget
Table 3-18: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: By Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Consumers Remain Thrifty
Table 3-19: Consumer Attitudes: “Price Not Main Factor in
Purchases” and “Spending More on Consumer Products, ”
February 2011 (percent)
Table 3-20: Responses to Statements Related to Grocery Spending,
February 2011 (percent)
The American Dinner Table: Home Cooked Meals vs. Frozen Foods vs.
Pre-Cooked Meals
Table 3-21: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: By Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
How Millennials Eat
Snacking and Selected Meal Trends
Table 3-23: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29
(Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-24: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29
(Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
When Millennials Eat: An Hour by Hour Analysis
Table 3-25: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: Adults Age 18-29
(Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-7: When Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials) Eat: Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner, and Fourthmeal, 2011 (percent)
Figure 3-8: When Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials) Are Most Likely to
Eat Socially: by Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-26: When Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials) Are Most Likely to
Eat Socially: By Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-9: When Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials) Are Most Likely to
Eat Alone: By Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-27: When Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials) Are Most Likely to
Eat Alone: By Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-28: Social or Solo Eating Patterns When Dining at Family
Restaurants/Steakhouses or at Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurants: Adults Age
18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Millennials and (Sometimes) Healthy Habits Eating Patterns
Table 3-29: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-30: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Many Millennials Too Busy to Make Good Eating Choices
Table 3-31: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-32: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who
agree)
Table 3-33: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-34: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Marketing to Millennials Means Appealing to Their Foodie Tendencies
Table 3-35: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29
(Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-36: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29
(Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Millennials Dine on a Budget
Table 3-37: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-38: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who
agree)
When Dining at Home, Millennials Prefer Frozen and Pre-Cooked Meals
Table 3-39: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 18-29, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-40: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
How Generation X Eats
Snacking and Selected Meal Trends
Table 3-41: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44
(Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-42: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44
(Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
When Gen Xers Eat: An Hour by Hour Analysis
Table 3-43: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen
Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-10: When Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers) Eat: Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner, and Fourthmeal, 2011 (percent)
Gen Xers Eating Together, Gen Xers Eating Alone
Table 3-44: When Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers) Are Most Likely to Eat
Socially: by Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-11: When Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers) Are Most Likely to Eat
Socially: by Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-45: When Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers) Are Most Likely to Eat
Alone: by Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-12: When Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers) Are Most Likely to Eat
Alone: By Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-46: Social or Solo Eating Patterns When Dining at Family
Restaurants/Steakhouses or at Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurants: Adults Age
30-44 (Gen X), 2011 (percent and index)
Gen Xers and Healthy Habits Eating Patterns
Table 3-47: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-48: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
30-44 (Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Haste and Unhealthy Eating for Gen Xers
Table 3-49: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-50: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Table 3-51: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-52: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Appealing to the Foodie Nature of Gen Xers
Table 3-53: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen
Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-54: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen
Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Coupons Influence What New Food Products Gen Xers Purchase
Table 3-55: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-56: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Gen Xers Prefer to Prepare Home Cooked Meals over Frozen Foods or
Pre-Cooked Meals
Table 3-57: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-58: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 30-44, 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
How Baby Boomers Eat
Snacking and Selected Meal Trends
Table 3-59: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64
(Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-60: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64
(Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
When Baby Boomers Eat: An Hour by Hour Analysis
Table 3-61: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby
Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-13: When Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers) Eat: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner, and Fourthmeal, 2011 (percent)
Boomers Eating Together, Boomers Eating Alone
Table 3-62: When Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers) Are Most Likely to
Eat Socially: by Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-14 :When Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers) Are Most Likely to
Eat Socially: by Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-63: When Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers) Are Most Likely to
Eat Alone: by Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-15: When Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers) Are Most Likely to
Eat Alone: by Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-64: Social or Solo Eating Patterns When Dining at Family
Restaurants/Steakhouses or at Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurants: Adults Age
45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Boomers Take Pride in Their Health
Table 3-65: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-66: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Haste Can Derail Boomers' Healthy Efforts
Table 3-67: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-68: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who
agree)
Table 3-69: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-70: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics: Adults
Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Adventurous Eating Is Not a Boomer Trait
Table 3-71: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby
Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-72: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby
Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Fast Food Becoming a Budget Strategy for Boomers
Table 3-73: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-74: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 45-64, 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Boomers Have a Love of Cooking and Avoid Frozen Foods or Pre-Cooked Meals
Table 3-75: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-76: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
How Seniors Eat
Snacking and Selected Meal Trends
Table 3-77: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 65+
(Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-78: Selected Meal and Snack Psychographics: Adults Age 65+
(Seniors), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
When Seniors Eat: An Hour by Hour Analysis
Table 3-79: Percent Who Eat by Hour of Day: Adults Age 65+ (Seniors),
2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-16: When Adults Age 65+ (Seniors) Eat: Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner, and Fourthmeal, 2011 (percent)
Seniors Eating Together, Seniors Eating Alone
Table 3-80: When Adults Age 65+ (Seniors) Are Most Likely to Eat
Socially: By Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-17: When Adults Age 65+ (Seniors) Are Most Likely to Eat
Socially: By Hour of Day, 2011 (index)
Table 3-81: When Adults Age 65+ (Seniors) Are Most Likely to Eat
Alone: By Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Figure 3-18: When Adults Age 65+ (Seniors) Are Most Likely to Eat
Alone: By Hour of Day, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-82: Social or Solo Eating Patterns When Dining at Family
Restaurants/Steakhouses or at Fast Food/Drive-In Restaurants: Adults Age
65+ (Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Seniors Leading the Health and Wellness Charge
Table 3-83: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
65+ (Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-84: Selected Wellness and Nutrition Psychographics: Adults Age
65+, 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Fast Food Gaining Popularity with Even Most Health Conscious Cohort
Table 3-85: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 65+ (Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-86: Selected Psychographic Patterns Suggestive of Unhealthy
Eating Habits: Adults Age 65+ (Seniors), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Table 3-87: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics:
Adults Age 65+ (Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-88: Selected Weight Loss/Dieting Goals Psychographics:
Adults Age 65+ (Seniors), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Gourmet and Foreign Cuisine Growing on Seniors
Table 3-89: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 65+ (Seniors),
2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-90: Selected Foodie Psychographics: Adults Age 65+ (Seniors),
2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Fast Food Beginning to Fit Seniors' Budgets Due to Recession's Lingering
Impact
Table 3-91: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 65+, 2011 (percent and index)
Table 3-92: Selected Budget-Based Mealtime Decision Making
Psychographics: Adults Age 65+, 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Seniors Prefer Easy to Prepare and Frozen Meals
Table 3-93: Selected Attitudes About What People Eat and Likelihood to
Cook Meals: Adults Age 65+, 2011 (percent and index)
Chapter 4: Foodservice Trends
Foodservice Definitions
Limited-Service Restaurant Definitions
Limited-Service Restaurants
Quick-Service Restaurants
Fast Casual Restaurants
Snack and Beverage Establishments
Full-Service Restaurant Definitions
Full-Service Restaurants
Family Dining Restaurants
Casual Dining Restaurants
Fine Dining Restaurants
Foodservice Market Definitions
Sports and Recreation
Corporations
College/Universities
Healthcare
Other Definitions
Daypart
Guest Traffic
Restaurant Spending and Usage Trends
Consumer Restaurant Spending Trends
Restaurant Growth: Follow the Money
Table 4-1: Demographic Share of Household Income: 2007-2010
Table 4-2: Demographic Shares of Persons & Households: 2007-2010
Food at Home Gains
Hispanics Driving Growth in Food Spending
Table 4-3: Food, Food at Home, Food Away from Home & Restaurant
Expense: Hispanic v. Non-Hispanic, 2007-2010
Driving Restaurant Spending
Table 4-4: Restaurant Share of Spend by Restaurant Segment: Hispanic
v. Non-Hispanic, 2007-2010
Driving Dayparts
Table 4-5: Restaurant Share of Spend by Daypart: Hispanic v.
Non-Hispanic, 2007-2010
Growth at Opposite Ends of the Age Spectrum
Lifestyle Change to Mark Restaurant Spending Boom?
Table 4-6: Food, Food at Home, Food Away from Home & Restaurant
Expense by Age, 2007-2010
Carrying Full-Service Restaurants
Table 4-7: Share of Spend by Restaurant Segment: By Age, 2007-2010
Daypart Spending Trends
Table 4-8: Restaurant Share of Spend by Daypart: By Age, 2007-2010
Household Income Trends
Table 4-9: Food, Food at Home, Food Away from Home & Restaurant
Expense, by HH Income, 2007-2010
Table 4-10: Restaurant Share of Spend by Restaurant Segment by
Household Income, 2007-2010
Daypart Trends
Table 4-11: Restaurant Share of Spend by Daypart by Household Income,
2007-2010
Restaurant Guest Traffic Analysis
Visit Frequency Definitions
Snack and Beverage
Limited Service
Full Service
Population Growth Saves Industry
Table 4-12: Restaurant Usage by Major Segment, 3-Year Growth Index,
2008-2011
Table 4-43: Percent at Home, Traveling, Elsewhere and at Restaurant, Bar
or Cafe: By Hour of Day, 2011
Weekday Analysis
Table 4-44: Percent at Home, Traveling, Elsewhere and at Restaurant,
Bar or Cafe: By Hour of Day, Weekdays, 2011
Weekend Analysis
Table 4-45: Percent at Home, Traveling, Elsewhere and at Restaurant,
Bar or Cafe: By Hour of Day, Weekends, 2011
Eating Analysis
Weekdays v. Weekends
Table 4-46: Percent Eating, Weekday vs. Weekend Percentages and
Indexes: By Hour of Day 2011
Table 4-47: Percent Eating & Eating at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe:
By Daypart, 2011
Weekday Analysis
Table 4-48: Weekday Percent Eating & Eating at Restaurant, Bar, Pub
or Cafe: By Daypart, 2011
Table 4-49: Weekend Percent Eating & Eating at Restaurant, Bar, Pub
or Cafe: By Daypart, 2011
Demographic Analysis
Table 4-50: Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By Gender &
Generation, 2011
Table 4-51: Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By Race/Ethnicity,
DMA & HH income, 2011
Table 4-52: Weekday Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By Gender &
Generation, 2011
Table 4-53: Weekday Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By
Race/Ethnicity, DMA & HH income, 2011
Table 4-54: Weekend Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By Gender &
Generation, 2011
Table 4-55: Weekend Percent at Restaurant, Bar, Pub or Cafe: By
Race/Ethnicity, DMA & HH income, 2011
Meal Time Location Analysis
Table 4-56: Top 6 Weekday Eating Locations, 8am-8:59am, 2011
Table 4-57: Top 6 Weekday Eating Locations, 12pm-12:59pm, 2011
Table 4-58: Top 6 Weekday Eating Locations, 6pm-6:59pm, 2011
Appendix: How Americans Live
Appendix - Table 1: Selected Family Structure Demographics: By
Generational Age Bracket, 2011 (percent and index)
Appendix - Table 2: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
18-29 (Millennials), 2011 (percent and index)
Appendix - Table 3: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
18-29 (Millennials), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Appendix - Table 4: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
30-44 (Gen Xers), 2011 (percent and index)
Appendix - Table 5: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
30-44 (Gen Xers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Appendix - Table 6: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2011 (percent and index)
Appendix - Table 7: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age
45-64 (Baby Boomers), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
Appendix - Table 8: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age 65+
(Seniors), 2011 (percent and index)
Appendix - Table 9: Selected Family Structure Demographics: Adults Age 65+
(Seniors), 2007-2011 (percent who agree)
How We Eat: Retail and Foodservice Opportunities in When and Where America Eats published by Packaged Facts in July 13, 2012. This report consists of 215 Pages and the price starts from US $ 3500.
Press Release
Food On-the-Go, Snacking, Home Cooked Meals and Late Night Dining Define How and When America Eats
August 24th, 2012
Global Information Inc. would like to present a new market research report, "How We Eat: Retail and Foodservice Opportunities in When and Where America Eats" by Packaged Facts.
Whether you consider the American cultural landscape to be a melting pot or a salad bowl, one things for certain: our mealtime habits are almost as diverse as the medley of cultures that comprise our great nation. We eat both in our cars and at our domestic dining tables; both alone and with groups of friends and family; and both early in the morning and late into the night.
Despite the diversity of American mealtime tendencies, food industry players still have many opportunities to target a wide range of consumers in a nation that remains united on three inalienable food principles: health, convenience, and variety. According to the new report published by Packaged Facts, the single factor that most influences variations in our interpretation of these food principles is our age.
Adults under 45 years old claim they have busier lifestyles than Baby Boomers and Seniors, making snacking and the consumption of fast food far more common due to the portability and convenience of these foods. Snacking is so integral to the lifestyle of Millennials (adults under age 30), that Packaged Facts considers them a driving force that will propel the U.S. snack market to sales of $77 billion by 2015. The repercussion of this haste is a greater tendency for younger adults to have either poor eating habits or blatantly unhealthy diets as they are more likely to feel they are too busy to take care of themselves as they should. Between Millennials and Gen Xers (adults age 30-44), the latter segment is far more conscientious about their mealtime habits, largely because Gen Xers are more likely to be parents. Because of this, Gen Xers are largely advocates of the thunderous -- if financially necessary -- return of the home cooked meal that has swept the nation since the onset of the recession. Meals at home -- even meals in the form of ready meals or frozen foods -- give Gen Xer parents the opportunity to better control the nutritional health of their children while spending bonding time with their families.
Boomers and Seniors, meanwhile, are much more conscientious eaters who prefer to know the nutritional value of and ingredients in their foods. They are also more willing to pay extra money for quality goods than younger adults. Though they rarely snack, when older Americans do indulge, they typically choose healthier snacks. Meals at home are also far more common for older Americans. Baby Boomers are fond of cooking, while Seniors favor easy to prepare meals. Either way, their avoidance of fast food and dining on-the-go is closely tied to their penchant for counting calories and avoiding artificial additives and other harmful ingredients.
Older Americans also tend to dine early, especially Seniors who are active eaters from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both Boomers and Seniors tend to eat meals alone more than younger adults, though solo eating overall is on the uptick nationwide. Seniors, more so than Boomers, have a strong tendency to eat socially during the early morning and early evening hours.
Meanwhile, both Millennials and Gen Xers are frequent indulgers in what has been colloquially dubbed the Fourthmeal, a dining occasion that is an expansion of the midnight snack and is typically eaten outside the home and with at least one other person. In the report, Packaged Facts defines Fourthmeal dining as occurring between 10:00 pm - 5:59 am. When Millennials eat, especially late, they are tremendously social. This social tendency is inherently linked to the college crowd that comprises a portion of the cohort and is an extension of Millennials penchant for social networking.
