These full-service restaurant chains are millennials’ favorites
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Even as digital-savvy, trend-influencing Gen Z commands more attention from restaurants, millennials have proven to be the most important generation for restaurant business.
According to Technomic Ignite data, millennials represented 29.5% of all restaurant visits in the trailing four quarters — compared with 28.1% for baby boomers, 23% for Gen Z, and 17.4% for Gen X — and their median check spend was $24, compared with $20 for all other generations. Further, while millennials are 27% of the adult population, they accounted for 46% of estimated restaurant spend across top chains, according to Technomic. Some 77% of millennials report using restaurants once a week or more, the highest weekly restaurant usage among generations.
While there are many reasons for millennials’ elevated restaurant usage, a primary factor is likely parenting: Millennials today are between the ages of 28 and 45, common ages to start a family.
NRN Editor in Chief Sam Oches recently joined Technomic’s Senior Director of Consumer Research Robert Byrne for a LinkedIn Live conversation about millennial dining habits and the many factors that influence the restaurants that millennials visit.
They especially spend time exploring what the data says about millennials’ favorite full-service restaurant chains. According to Technomic’s 2026 America’s Favorite Chains report, the top FSR chains among millennials were Snooze, Chuy’s, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.
Why those restaurants? Stream the conversation above for more.
Contact Sam Oches at [email protected].
