Premium Foods in Kid-Sized Portions

A new menu trend targets customers with kids by offering adult menu options in smaller portions for the children throughout their food and beverage management. Watch for smaller cuts of premium steaks, fresh fish, and locally-sourced healthy fare, along with bolder ethnic flavors that are usually the domain of adult palates.

A recent food research and development study reports that 78% of the Top 250 chain restaurants and 88% of full-service restaurants have menus specifically for children. pasta products, sandwiches and chicken are the most popular children's lunch and dinner entrees, with dips such as barbecue, honey mustard, and sweet-and-sour sauces. These options will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever perused a children’s menu.

However, they may be pleasantly surprised to find that healthier offerings are increasingly being included in children's menus of the Top 250 chains. There is an upswing in the number of listings of vegetables and fruits, healthy beverages and smoothies, and items described as natural or organic to the nutrition panel.

Teaching children the value of natural and organic foods may also prepare them for seasonal menus that are more sustainable--a trend that is sure to become more popular in the current economic and environmental climate.

There is also a growing preference for bolder, spicier flavors like teriyaki, chili, and chipotle, helping children to broadening their idea of acceptable flavors beyond those found in traditional American fare.

This is actually good news for the food service industry, because based on a study done by the university of Birmingham in England, children who are given particular foods early in life will tend to want those foods in the future. So by making the choicest foods available in children’s portion sizes, restaurants may be training future customers to buy only the best on offer.