Gen Z & Millennials’ Eating Habits in 2025

 

In 2025, Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) continue to reshape the food industry, setting new standards for convenience, transparency, and personalization in dining driving food channel migration and ongoing churn according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. With a growing preference for snacking over structured meals, an affinity for fast and frictionless food experiences, and a penchant for digital engagement with brands, their behaviors are influencing menu innovation, marketing strategies, and restaurant operations across all segments, from fast food to fine dining.

Food Consumption Trends by Daypart

Breakfast: Gen Z and Millennials prioritize speed and portability in the morning. Breakfast on-the-go is the norm, with 72% of younger consumers saying they prefer handheld options such as breakfast sandwiches, protein-packed smoothies, or overnight oats. Coffee and energy drinks remain dominant, with cold brew and functional beverages (e.g., adaptogen-infused lattes) growing in popularity. Restaurants catering to this demographic are implementing AI-driven order customization and app-based preordering to streamline service.

Lunch: The traditional lunch hour is fading as younger consumers opt for mini-meals throughout the day. Meal bundling, mix-and-match offerings, and build-your-own bowl concepts have become increasingly popular at fast-casual chains like Chipotle and CAVA. Salad kits, protein snack boxes, and global flavors (such as Korean BBQ tacos and Mediterranean grain bowls) drive sales in both foodservice and retail grab-and-go sections.

Dinner: Convenience is king. The demand for ready-to-eat and heat-and-eat options has skyrocketed, with restaurant-branded meal kits and family bundles gaining traction. Delivery and drive-thru orders now account for nearly 60% of Gen Z and Millennial dinner transactions. QR code-enabled menus, TikTok-inspired LTOs (Limited Time Offers), and digital loyalty programs keep these consumers engaged with restaurant brands.

Late Night & Snacking: The rise of ‘fourth meal’ culture, driven by flexible work schedules and entertainment consumption, has led to increased spending on snacks and late-night food options. 45% of Gen Zer’s say they eat a snack in place of a traditional meal at least three times per week. Fast food and ghost kitchen brands leverage gamified app experiences, subscription-based rewards, and influencer collaborations to drive sales in this space.

Top Restaurant Brands for Gen Z & Millennials in 2025

Fast Food:

1.       Chick-fil-A – Known for mobile app efficiency and high-quality chicken offerings

2.       McDonald’s – Winning with nostalgia-driven menu innovation and $5 value bundles

3.       Taco Bell – Customizable late-night options and immersive digital ordering

4.       Raising Cane’s – Minimalist menu focusing on premium quality and fast service

5.       Wendy’s – Leveraging fresh, never-frozen beef and digital convenience

Fast Casual:

1.       Chipotle – AI-driven personalization and clean-label ingredients

2.       CAVA – Mediterranean flavors and innovative bowl combinations

3.       Sweetgreen – Data-driven menu curation and seasonal sourcing

4.       Panera Bread – Subscription-based coffee and digital rewards

5.       Shake Shack – Premium, ethically sourced ingredients and social media buzz

Casual Dining:

1.       Texas Roadhouse – High-value meal portions and dine-in experience

2.       Olive Garden – Affordable family-style dining with unlimited offerings

3.       The Cheesecake Factory – Expansive menu variety catering to all preferences

4.       Buffalo Wild Wings – Social, sports-driven food experiences

5.       Chili’s – Leveraging digital loyalty programs and bar-centric promotions

Special Occasion & Experiential Dining:

1.       Nobu – Upscale fusion cuisine and influencer appeal

2.       Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Fine dining with modernized digital engagement

3.       STK – High-energy steakhouse with social media-worthy presentations

4.       Eataly – multi-concept dining and retail hybrid appeal

5.       Sugar Factory – Over-the-top desserts designed for Instagram and TikTok virality

How Restaurants Can Win Gen Z & Millennials

1.       Speed & Convenience: Mobile-first strategies, AI-powered drive-thru’s, and loyalty-driven rewards programs are key. McDonald’s, for example, continues to invest in dynamic menu boards and geofenced curbside pickup to enhance convenience.

2.       Social Media & Digital Marketing: Gen Z and Millennials consume food with their eyes first. Limited-time collaborations, nostalgia-driven reboots, and TikTok-viral menu hacks create buzz and drive traffic. Starbucks, for example, uses TikTok trends to introduce new customizable drinks, leading to increased engagement and sales.

3.       Customizable & Health-Conscious Offerings: Personalization is a must. Chipotle’s ‘Lifestyle Bowls’ cater to keto, Whole30, and vegan consumers, while Sweetgreen’s data-driven menu recommendations optimize customer satisfaction.

4.       Experience-Driven Dining: Dining out is more than just a meal—it’s an event. Immersive dining concepts, such as interactive chef experiences and tableside presentations, attract Millennials who seek memorable outings.

5.       Subscription & Membership Models: Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club and Taco Bell’s Taco Lover’s Pass exemplify how brands are turning occasional diners into repeat customers by offering value-driven subscriptions.

Do You Want a Larger

Share of Stomach

Where & How They Eat

·         Solo Dining: 62% of Gen Zer’s eat alone at least three times per week, favoring quick-service and convenience-driven options like meal kits and delivery apps.

·         Group Dining: Family meal deals, bundled snacks, and restaurant loyalty perks drive social dining occasions. Gen Zer’s are more likely to share meals at home, particularly for game nights and binge-watching sessions.

·         At-Home Eating Habits: Only 22% of Gen Z and Millennials eat at a traditional dining table regularly. Instead, they prefer eating in front of a TV, gaming console, or laptop. Brands are catering to this behavior with packaging innovations, such as one-handed snack wraps and resealable meal containers.

Key Takeaways for Food Marketers

·         Leverage digital engagement to create interactive and influencer-driven promotions.

·         Prioritize speed and customization in menu offerings and service models.

·         Offer experience-driven dining for social occasions while maintaining convenience for everyday eating.

·         Capitalize on snack culture by introducing hybrid meal-snack options.

·         Innovate packaging solutions for on-the-go and at-home consumption.

As Gen Z and Millennials continue to drive food trends in 2025, successful restaurant brands will be those that prioritize digital convenience, social engagement, and flexible meal formats. The future of foodservice lies in catering to their evolving expectations, ensuring relevance in a dynamic marketplace.

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