Restaurants: Should Adults Be Able To Order Off The Kids' Menu?
- InsightTrendsWorld
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Why it is the topic trending:
Ongoing Social Media Debate: A TikTok influencer's experience being questioned for ordering a kids' meal has reignited a long-standing debate about adults ordering from kids' menus.
Relatability of the Issue: Many adults have reasons for wanting smaller portions or specific kid-friendly foods, making the topic relatable.
Restaurant Policies and Opinions: The article discusses different restaurant approaches to the issue and presents various perspectives on whether it should be allowed.
Financial and Dietary Motivations: The reasons why adults might want to order from the kids' menu, such as lower cost and smaller portion sizes for weight management or dietary needs, are explored.
Potential Impact on Restaurants: The article touches on the financial implications for restaurants of adults ordering from the kids' menu.
Overview: The article explores the debate surrounding whether adults should be allowed to order from kids' menus at restaurants. It discusses the various reasons why adults might want to, such as smaller portions, lower prices, or specific kid-friendly foods like chicken nuggets or grilled cheese. The debate was recently reignited by a TikTok influencer who was questioned for ordering a kids' pizza in Japan. The article presents different perspectives, including those of adults who regularly order kids' meals, restaurants that have policies against it, and the potential financial implications for the restaurant industry.
Detailed findings:
A TikTok influencer was questioned for ordering a kids' pizza at a hotel in Japan, sparking a debate.
Adults may want to order from the kids' menu for smaller portions, lower prices, or specific food items.
Some restaurants ban adults from ordering off the kids' menu.
Many commenters on the TikTok video shared that they often order kids' meals, especially if the adult menu options are too large or don't offer what they want.
One person recalled being denied a Happy Meal at McDonald's as a child.
Ordering from kids' menus can save a significant amount of money over a year.
Smaller portions are a motivator for some adults, including those in the weight-loss-surgery community. Some are even given cards by their surgeons to request kids' meals.
There is debate about whether restaurants lose money when adults order kids' meals. Some argue that kids' meals are often sold at cost to attract families who will order more profitable adult entrees.
One Redditor shared an anecdote about a restaurant potentially losing money when their mother was denied a kids' meal and opted to share a pizza instead of ordering a full adult entree.
Key takeaway: The question of whether adults should be able to order from kids' menus is a contentious issue with valid points on both sides, revolving around factors like portion size, cost, dietary needs, and potential financial impacts on restaurants.
Main trend: The Evolving Perception of Kids' Menus Beyond Just Children
Description of the trend (please name it): The Menu Misconception. This trend describes the evolving perception and potential utilization of kids' menus beyond their traditional intended audience of children. Adults are increasingly considering and sometimes attempting to order from these menus for reasons such as smaller portion sizes, lower prices, dietary restrictions, or simply a preference for the food offered, leading to debates about restaurant policies and the original purpose of kids' menus.
What is consumer motivation: Adults are motivated by a variety of factors when considering ordering from a kids' menu, including:
Portion Control: Seeking smaller, more manageable meal sizes for health or dietary reasons.
Cost Savings: Kids' meals are typically less expensive than adult entrees.
Specific Food Preferences: Sometimes the items on the kids' menu (like chicken nuggets, grilled cheese) are what an adult is craving.
Avoiding Food Waste: A smaller portion can reduce the likelihood of overeating and wasting food.
What is driving trend:
Increased Awareness of Portion Sizes: There's a growing awareness of the health implications of large portion sizes in adult entrees.
Economic Considerations: In times of financial constraint, the lower cost of kids' meals can be appealing.
Dietary Restrictions and Preferences: Some adults may have dietary needs or preferences that are better met by the simpler options often found on kids' menus.
What is motivation beyond the trend: For some, there might be a sense of nostalgia or simply a craving for the comfort foods typically found on kids' menus.
Description of consumers article is referring to (what is their age?, what is their gender? What is their income? What is their lifestyle): The article mentions adults of various backgrounds considering or attempting to order from kids' menus. It specifically highlights the appeal to those seeking smaller portions (potentially related to health or age), those looking to save money (suggesting budget-conscious individuals across income levels), and those with specific food cravings or dietary needs. The TikTok influencer mentioned is a younger adult, but the commenters range, suggesting the trend isn't limited by age or gender. Their lifestyle might include being health-conscious, budget-aware, or simply having a preference for the types of food offered on kids' menus.
Conclusions: Kids' menus are increasingly being considered by adults for various reasons beyond just feeding children, leading to discussions and sometimes restrictions on this practice in restaurants.
Implications for brands:
Restaurants: Need to consider their policies on adults ordering from kids' menus, balancing customer desires with potential financial impacts and the original intent of these menus. They might also consider offering smaller portion sizes on their regular menu.
Food Producers: Might see a continued demand for kid-friendly food items that appeal to a broader age range.
Implication for society: This trend reflects changing attitudes towards portion sizes, cost-consciousness in dining, and the potential for blurring the lines between menus intended for different age groups.
Implications for consumers: Adults may find themselves needing to inquire about restaurant policies regarding kids' menus and might need to find alternative solutions if their requests are denied.
Implication for Future: The "Menu Misconception" trend suggests that restaurants might need to re-evaluate their menu structures and pricing to better accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of their adult clientele.
Consumer Trend (name, detailed description): The Portion-Conscious Diner: This trend describes consumers who are increasingly mindful of portion sizes when eating out, often seeking smaller options to manage their calorie intake, reduce food waste, or simply eat a more appropriately sized meal.
Consumer Sub Trend (name, detailed description): The Budget-Savvy Eater (Dining Out): Consumers who are looking for ways to reduce the cost of eating out, which can include opting for less expensive menu items like kids' meals.
Big Social Trend (name, detailed description): The Growing Awareness of Food Waste and Portion Control: There is increasing societal awareness of the environmental and health impacts of food waste and overeating, leading to a greater focus on appropriate portion sizes.
Worldwide Social Trend (name, detailed description): The desire for affordable and appropriately sized meals when eating out is likely a global consumer consideration.
Social Drive (name, detailed description): The Need for Health, Affordability, and Reduced Waste: These underlying drives are influencing some adults to consider kids' menu options.
Learnings for brands to use in 2025 (bullets, detailed description):
Recognize that adults have varied reasons for wanting smaller portions and lower prices.
Be clear about restaurant policies regarding kids' menus.
Consider offering a wider range of portion sizes on the main menu.
Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025 (bullets, detail description):
Restaurants: Develop transparent policies about kids' menu ordering and communicate them clearly. Consider offering "small plates" or lunch portions on the adult menu.
Menu Designers: Explore menu layouts and descriptions that highlight portion sizes and price points effectively.
Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article: The debate over adults ordering from kids' menus highlights "The Menu Misconception," reflecting an evolving view of these menus beyond just children's fare due to factors like portion size and cost.
What brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it: In 2025, restaurants should address "The Menu Misconception" trend by:
Establishing clear and transparent policies regarding adults ordering from the kids' menu and communicating these policies to both staff and customers to avoid confusion.
Considering the introduction of smaller portion options or "light" versions of popular adult entrees on their regular menus to cater to adults who desire smaller meals and potentially more affordable price points, thereby providing alternatives to the kids' menu.
Training staff to handle requests for kids' menu items from adults with sensitivity and understanding, particularly in situations where there might be dietary or medical reasons for such a request.
Final note:
Core Trend: The Menu Misconception: Evolving perception of kids' menus beyond just children.
Core Strategy: Establish Clear Policies and Consider Offering Smaller Adult Portions: Addressing the diverse needs of adult diners.
Core Industry Trend: The Growing Focus on Portion Control and Value in Dining: Influencing consumer choices when eating out.
Core Consumer Motivation: Need for Health, Affordability, and Appropriately Sized Meals: Driving some adults to consider kids' menu options.
Final Conclusion: The debate surrounding adults ordering from kids' menus underscores the evolving needs and preferences of diners, suggesting that restaurants should consider more flexible menu options and clear communication to better serve their diverse adult customer base in 2025.
Core Trend Detailed: The Menu Misconception
Description: The Menu Misconception trend describes the evolving perception and potential utilization of kids' menus beyond their traditional intended audience of children. Adults are increasingly considering and sometimes attempting to order from these menus for reasons such as smaller portion sizes, lower prices, dietary restrictions, or simply a preference for the food offered, leading to debates about restaurant policies and the original purpose of kids' menus.
Key Characteristics of the Trend (summary): Adults are increasingly interested in ordering from kids' menus for reasons beyond just feeding children, such as portion control, cost savings, and specific food preferences.
Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (summary): The article discusses a TikTok influencer being questioned for ordering a kids' pizza, numerous online comments from adults who order kids' meals, and a report in The Washington Post exploring the reasons behind this interest as signals of this trend.
How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior (summary): Adults are becoming more open to considering kids' menus as a viable option when dining out, driven by factors like portion size, cost, and specific food cravings.
Implications Across the Ecosystem (For Brands and CPGs, For Retailers, For Consumers, summary):
For Brands and CPGs: Restaurants need to consider their policies on adults ordering from kids' menus and potentially offer smaller adult portions. Food producers might see continued demand for kid-friendly foods.
For Retailers: Restaurants are facing the decision of whether to allow or restrict adults from ordering from kids' menus.
For Consumers: Adults might need to inquire about restaurant policies and may need to seek alternative solutions if their requests are denied.
Strategic Forecast: The "Menu Misconception" trend suggests that restaurants might need to re-evaluate their menu structures and pricing to better accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of their adult clientele.
Final Thought: The debate over adults ordering from kids' menus highlights "The Menu Misconception," reflecting an evolving view of these menus beyond just children's fare due to factors like portion size and cost.
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