Consumer Eating and Dining Habits of America Today (6/6)

A growing interest in flavors and flavor intensity is another trend that is helping to shape consumers' food choices at the casual-dining level, Darden's Bernstein says. "We're talking about bolder flavors, not necessarily high spice profiles," he explains. "It reflects the general diversity of the American population and culture and at the same time the growth of the Hispanic market." Consumer’s Reasons to choose a full-service restaurant In a study that examined consumers' reasons for choosing a particular full-service restaurant over their second choice, only 12 percent of respondents cited pricing, placing it in a tie for last place in a field of five variables. By contrast, 21 percent of those polled said, "I like it there," while 20 percent said the reason for their pick was a convenient location. Sixteen percent cited the quality of the food, and 12 percent said their chosen restaurant had a good variety of foods from which to choose. When people looking for a dining experience, versus a fueling stop, are willing to drive to a place that is out of their way, pay more for their food and linger over the meal. NRA study conducted last fall reveals that fully 70 percent of the adults polled said they felt the need to reduce stress in their daily lives. "The last thing people want to encounter at a restaurant is a stressful situation involving service or any other attribute of the experience," he says. "Consequently, any situation that allows the consumer to exert control and have a sense of empowerment like making reservations over the Internet tends to be a positive experience." Source: ? Consumer Trends: What Do They Want And Why?, Nation’s Restaurant News, May 23, 2005. ? National Restaurant Association's 2004 Tableservice Operator Survey ? Exclusive consumer trend data by NPD Group, the Port Washington, N.Y.-based global market research firm, as quoted in NRN’s report.