New-look for kids menus

INTERESTED in learning about what will be popular on menus for children this year?

According to Restaurant Business, as an increasing number of millennials become parents, operators benefit from learning their preferences when creating kids menus.

Below is what they say those preferences are, and what trends will make their way to kids menus this year:

More focus on breakfast

Mentions of breakfast dishes on kids menus have grown year over year, and mentions of pancakes on kids menus have increased.

Takeaway: As some restaurants and eateries move away from the “kids eat free” model, fun, childsized breakfast options will appeal to both parents and kids like crispy funnel cakes, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and topped with glazed strawberries, whipped topping, and shimmery elf sprinkles.

Snackable bites

A majority of consumers say their typical eating habits include three meals a day, with a few snacks between meals.

Takeaway: With more snacking happening, parents will look for familiar foods their kid’s love, such as cheese and crackers, carrots and hummus and pretzels with dipping sauce like pretzels with dipping cheese.

Healthier eats

A 44% of millennials living with kids ages 12 or younger say they would visit restaurants more often if they updated kids menus with more sophisticated and healthier options.

Takeaway: As parents increasingly focus on their own diets, those preferences will carry into what is being offered for kids like a choice of sides, including oranges, grapes or quinoa. – IOL