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If 41% of diners eat it once weekly, does your restaurant care?

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October 11, 2019

For some of us, it's like something from a horror story: Technomic's recent consumer trend report showing that desserts are disappearing from increasingly streamlined restaurant menus. And given that Technomic shows that 41% of consumers actually eat dessert once every week, it may be something of a missed opportunity for restaurateurs. 

"As dessert menus continue to shrink, identifying an optimal product mix that can still maximize consumer satisfaction will be key," Technomic Manager of Consumer Insights Bret Yonke, said in a news release about the report. "Moving forward, expect those who are truly looking to provide innovative dessert offerings to increasingly experiment with toppable beverages, such as milkshakes and hot chocolate, as well as spicy flavor profiles and dairy-free desserts that don't compromise on taste."

For brands that do want to stay "sweet" on the game of end-of-meal treats, Technomic's latest report found some key preferences in their latest study:

• It's an impulsive purchase: More than half of consumers said they buy desserts on impulse. 
• Dairy-free is no longer a dessert deal-breaker: 31% of consumers say they are more willing to try dairy-free desserts than they were two years ago
• Filling meals, however, may be: 64% of consumers who rarely or never eat dessert say it's because they are usually too full from their meals. 

Technomic's 2019 Dessert Consumer Trend Report is designed to provide an overview of current consumer dessert consumption, attitudes and preferences with an eye toward areas with strong potential for growth. The dessert report is part of the company's library on consumer trend studies.