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How to Bring in Millennials--and Keep Them Coming Back

Worried that you might be missing out on a big target consumer? Millennials, or Gen Yers, are aged 12-27 and offer a great opportunity to bring in new diners with 70 million in their age group alone. Want to know a typical millennial a little better?

So how do you get to them? With marketing, consider the way they speak. Send emails, offer coupons via text messaging, or put your menu and delivery/catering options online for ordering. Once a Gen Yer visits a restaurant, there are certain things they like and want to see:

Adventurous Foods
Millennials are much more daring with food then their parents. Attract them with exotic or ethnic flavors of wings or sauced tenders, a favorite with this generation. Better still, you can charge a higher price.

Sharable Foods
Tapas-style is big. Menu a sampler for groups to share that gives them the best of all of the tastes you offer - and don’t skimp on the flavor. Consider a "tapas bundle" to help increase check averages.

Portable Foods 
Offer food that travels as easily as they do. Wraps with chicken tenders or salads in convenient packaging can really attract this generation.

Keep in mind that attracting these business-building diners may take some adjustment, but it’s definitely worth it. These will be customers for years to come.

Source: Perdue Foodservice

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