Campus dining halls ain’t what they used to be. Long gone are the days of standing in line for trays of beige, oily, unappetizing food. Colleges have really upped their food game, offering metric-tons of high-quality options.
The downside is that this also translates into higher meal-plan prices. In fact, the average college student who eats on campus pays about 85 percent more than they would if they ate their meals at home. This is just one of the many reasons why 48 percent of students do not have a meal plan.
Contrary to popular belief, students are NOT broke. In fact, when we surveyed college students to ask them what they spent their money on, 78 percent said that the number-one thing they shell out money for (once tuition and bills are paid) is… food! Indeed, up to half of them responded that they spent up to a whopping $20 per order.
The reality is that Gen Z students are simply savvier than previous generations about how they spend. So, for many, skipping exorbitant cafeteria meal plans in favor of sourcing their own food is a no-brainer.
When it comes to food Gen Z students will splurge on, they are making their spending decisions differently than have generations past. For example, Gen Zers are looking for high-quality and healthy ingredients (think organic, protein-rich meals). They’re also looking for dining experiences, not just meals (hello, #foodporn). Plus, they prefer to be spontaneous, planning only 5 percent of their meals in advance.
This presents a HUGE opportunity for quick-service restaurants. But to capitalize on this opportunity, you have to know how to get Gen Z students in the door.
If you’re struggling with how to do this, you’re in luck. Alex Mooney, UNiDAYS’ Director of Innovation for Food and Dining, has cooked up some excellent tips on how to get Gen Z to the table. Check them out below:
Want more food for thought? Take our insights to go by downloading our restaurant report: How Restaurants Can Cater to Gen Z.