Study conducted by Technomic reveals the latest data on college & university students’ foodservice behavior, attitudes and preferences as well as the latest trends for this channel
CHICAGO, May 31, 2017—College & university enrollment will steadily rise, and opportunities for this channel will grow as a result. However, on-campus operators are also facing growing competition as technological advancements allow more off-campus restaurants to reach on-campus students. For example, tech-based enhancements will allow college & university operators to meet their students’ demands for convenience, but can also provide opportunities for off-campus operators to steal share. To grow foodservice sales, colleges and universities must keep abreast of how the evolving foodservice space is impacting students’ expectations of on-campus dining.
“Many college and university foodservice locations are already introducing new dishes and formats, such as make-it-yourself dining hall stations, to meet students’ demands,” says Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights. “Continuing to meet students’ high expectations of variety, authenticity and flexibility will be crucial to growing sales on or near campuses in the coming years. For example, tech-based amenities like mobile apps for pre-ordering or on-campus delivery can meet students’ needs for flexibility and convenience.”
Key takeaways from the report include:
- Nearly half (49%) of college & university students avoid some type of meat or animal products
- More students are price-sensitive off-campus (58%) than on-campus (46%)
- Slightly more than half (54%) of students say it’s important to eat healthy and pay attention to nutrition
Compiling findings from 1,500 college and university students, as well as Technomic’s Digital Resource Library and MenuMonitor, the comprehensive 2017 College & University Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers to understand students’ foodservice usage and attitudes to identify key areas of opportunity.
Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.
Contacts:
Press Inquiries and Report Details: Kelly Weikel, (312) 506-3830, or kweikel@technomic.com
Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, or pnoone@technomic.com