If you have any questions or comments about Foodservice Trend Watch, please send us an e-mail . The parents that Kraft spoke to all claimed to eat out at full-service restaurants a minimum of twice per month. The first thing that an operator should know about families that dine out, is that the parents are often nervous about the whole endeavour. They are concerned that their children might misbehave in the restaurant and bother other diners. These parents need to feel that they are welcome, and that the atmosphere of the restaurant is conducive to family dining.
Kids have their own issues when eating out.
Signs of family-friendliness include high chairs and booster seats, balloons, and crayons. Operators should store these items in a place that is visible from the entrance of their restaurants. For example, parents want the wait-staff to address their children directly, rather than speaking only to the parents. Parents say that the time between being seated and getting their food is the period with the greatest potential for behaviour problems among children and, hence, the most stressful period for parents. These activities are important for the whole family.