Family-Friendly Restaurants and Food Service Establishments

WELCOMING ADULTS AND CHILDREN

Did you know making your restaurant kid-friendly could increase traffic up to 25 percent? There are a number of reasons family-friendly restaurants and food service establishments want to welcome both adults and children.

First, families eat out 15 percent more often than they did 20 years ago. If your establishment isn’t accepting of families, you’re likely to miss out on a big piece of this pie. Second, children can have a strong influence over their parents’ decisions on where to eat. Treat little ones well and they’re sure to want to choose your establishment again and again. And third, kids are your future patrons.[1] Start filling your future sales pipeline by building relationships with your youngest patrons.

If you’re looking for ways to become one of these family-friendly restaurants, look no further. Several tips on welcoming children and their parents are discussed.

Kid-friendly tips and tricks:

  •      Offer a kid-friendly menu: Children’s eating habits can be fastidious at best. Kid-friendly options in child-sized portions, and proportionate prices, ensure happy children and happy parents. Provide your kids menu online so parents can review their choices ahead of time.[2] Offer healthier options too, like grilled chicken and veggies in addition to the standard chicken tenders and fries. You may also want to offer a variety of substitutions to accommodate the pickiest of eaters or those with food allergies, diabetes or celiac disease.[3]
  • Outfit your establishment with kid-friendly gear: High chairs are a must in any kid-friendly establishment. They not only help children sit up to the table, they help keep them at the table too!—A win for parents and wait staff. Kid-proof or sippy cups and bibs help ease stress, and messes, at mealtime, as well.[4] Don’t forget to outfit restrooms with a changing table for diaper duty and a step stool so small children can easily wash hands.[5]
  •      Provide child-friendly activities: It can be difficult for even the best-behaved children to sit still through an entire meal. Coloring books and crayons, fun and games placemats and toddler dine out kits can help keep kids busy while they wait for their food. Some restaurants and other food service establishments even have designated kids corners filled with toys, games and art supplies.[6]
  • Train staff on kid customer service: Parents will appreciate a server that knows what matters. For instance, having enough room at the table (to accommodate all their gear), providing noshes such as saltine crackers or breadsticks during waits and getting child food out ahead of time are always appreciated by parents and "kiddos."[7]
Family-friendly restaurants and food service establishments create a better dining experience for children and parents. Welcome both by trying one or more of these tips.
Ensure kids want to come again soon with these fun activity placemats 

Keep kids and grown-ups happy with coloring books and crayons 

 
 
 

[1] Behman, Aida. "Kids Friendly Restaurant – Ideas to Become One." POSSector.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2016. .

[2] Kuban, Adam. "11 Ways To Make Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly." OPEN Forum. N.p., 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 08 May 2016. .

[3] "8 Ways to Make Your Restaurant Family Friendly - Bar Entertainment System | Bar Trivia Games | Buzztime." Bar Entertainment System Bar Trivia Games Buzztime RSS. N.p., 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 08 May 2016..

[4] Kuban, Adam. "11 Ways To Make Your Restaurant Kid-Friendly." OPEN Forum. N.p., 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 08 May 2016. .

[5] Behman, Aida. "Kids Friendly Restaurant – Ideas to Become One." POSSector.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2016. .

[6] Ibid

[7] "8 Ways to Make Your Restaurant Family Friendly - Bar Entertainment System | Bar Trivia Games | Buzztime." Bar Entertainment System Bar Trivia Games Buzztime RSS. N.p., 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 08 May 2016..