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Elevating the Kid’s Menu Goodbye french fries? Hello salad?
Parents have been calling for healthier, more varied fare on children’s menus, and now restaurants seem to be responding. A recent study from Technomic reports that kids menus have been seeing a shift since pre-pandemic times. Operators are starting to offer healthier and more-sophisticated menu items in place of the standard kids meal items. Some of the fastest-growing ingredients on kids menus shows this health movement. Cucumbers are up 15.7%, sweet potato fries are up 9.7% and grapes are up 9.4%. Chefs are putting extra thought and effort into what they offer younger diners. Some skew healthy, with plant-based proteins and ancient grains, while others look to approximate the adult experience on a smaller scale, adapting dishes so they are a better fit for children. Remember, it’s often the kids that are the deciding factor on where the family goes to eat out. So making the kids happy with some great tasting food, with options that they like, and food that meets the parents’ standards, all create a winning combination.
NOTABLE KIDS MENUS ITEMS, YEAR-OVER-YEAR GROWTH Kids Chicken Strips/Nuggets
0.0%
Kids Grilled Cheese
-16.5%
Kids Mac and Cheese
-3.4%
Kids Hamburger
-22.4%
Kids Specialty Drinks
+21.7%
Kids Salad
+29.4%
UPSCALE YOUR KIDS MENU • Serve kids meals that are healthy, visually appealing, and taste great. • Pint-sized beverages: Add a selection of fruit/ veggie smoothies and mocktails • Add kid-sized adult menu offerings .• Forget the bland and offer new flavourssweet thai chili dips, salsas, guacamole can all be added on the side • Add plant-based options • Add ethnic options
~Source: Technomic Ignite menu data
34 | THE BOTTOM LINE December 2021
