Younger Consumers Are Abandoning Casual Chains. Here’s What Restaurants Are Doing to Fix It
They're adopting new tech, menu items and more to court millennials
Casual restaurants are at a critical breaking point. Consumers—hello, millennials and Gen Z—are increasingly fleeing legacy chains, from Applebee’s to Olive Garden, in favor of trendier, tech-savvy, more health-conscious options. Applebee’s announced plans to close between 60 and 80 eateries in 2018, citing a millennial-driven decline in foot traffic as a major factor. Sister brand IHOP announced plans to shutter 30 to 40 locations this year, too.
This story first appeared in the April 9, 2018, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.
