Catherine Roe, chief executive of Elior UK, which recently won the 2015 Cost Sector Catering ‘Contract Caterer Award’, said The Millennial Eater report aimed to help caterers understand what makes the Generation Y tick when it comes to workplace and higher education catering.
It is estimated that by 2020, millennials will make up 75% of the workforce, so understanding their eating preferences will enable caterers to tap into this growing market more effectively.
Said Roe: “Millennials – also known as Generation Y – fascinate us. They’ve been called the generation that lives to eat and the tastemakers in food.
“But no one has ever attempted to fully explore their relationship with food – until now, that is. Our research highlights five key trends that define millennials’ attitude to food, trends that will influence how the food industry meets their demands.”
The report revealed five trends:
Late Starters: Millennials shun the usual mealtimes. They skip breakfast twice a week on average, suggesting an appetite for mid-morning snacks. And when it comes to buying lunch, they want value, speed and convenience – and of course quality food.
Convenience is king: Millennials are a busy bunch. Habitual snackers, they dash into supermarkets and fast food outlets to grab a quick bite. Speed of service is the most important factor for 42% of them when buying breakfast, and 40% when buying lunch.
Digital connections: Social media is a second home to millennials. 66% favour outlets that are active on social media, and expect technology to be part of the eating out experience.
A healthier diet (tomorrow): 92% of millennials say they either eat healthily, or intend to. But their food choices suggest otherwise. Sausages, bacon, burgers and fries win out over salads, wraps and fruit.
Cooking is the new fashion: 91% of millennials cook at home, and anticipate eating out less in the coming years. They generally serve up the same meals they order when eating out.
Carina Paine Schofield, research fellow at Ashridge International Business School, said: “This significant report from Elior UK goes some way to answering key questions and closing the gap between millennials want and what the industry currently offers.
“In summary, millennials expect more. More from an employer, from a food provider and from life.”
Elior UK commissioned Allegra Foodservice to conduct the survey of 1,000 18-30 year olds, including 30% students, to find out what are looking for from their work and university catering options.