Poor restaurateurs, just when they get a handle on what Millennials want, the next generation goes and grows up.
Generation Z is the cohort of roughly 82 million Americans who were born in 1996 and later, according to the Census Bureau’s 2015 population estimates.
The oldest among them are about to turn 21. Many are entering the workforce. And they have money — whether it’s direct spending or via influence on parental purchasing.
The youngest generation is shelling out a lot on dining. More than one-fifth of teens’ total budget goes toward food, according to Piper Jaffray’s fall 2016 “Taking Stock With Teens” survey, conducted by analysts at the investment firm.