6 Ways to Help Elevate the Kids’ Menu and Dining Experience

Kids’ menus often feature classic comfort foods that are guaranteed crowd pleasers. To help your menu stand out, try giving dishes more creative names. For example, kids might get more excited about a “Galactic Grilled Cheese” or “Champion’s Cheeseburger” than a plain “Grilled Cheese” or “Cheeseburger.”  Take the Nach O’ Cheeseburger, for instance— 78% of families with kids said they would visit a restaurant just for this burger.² It’s a great option for families who enjoy a little spice, and it can easily be customized to a please a milder palate by simply removing the jalapeños.

Many of today’s kids are open to eating more than just mac and cheese, buttered noodles and cheese pizza—some are curious about globally influenced meals as well as bold or spicy flavors. Menuing smaller portion sizes of “adult” menu items can be a great way to make kids feel involved in the dining out experience. Try menuing mini pizzas, a single taco, smaller portions of wings or boneless wings with more kid-friendly sauces, such as honey barbecue or parmesan garlic. Another option to try menuing is Barbacoa Steak Sliders. Eighty-two percent of families with kids said they would be extremely or very interested in purchasing these sliders.² An adult portion of this dish could include three sliders, while the kids’ meal option could be reduced to one slider. 

Currently, 53% of operators have caught on to the opportunities in family dining, and have already begun offering both smaller portions of what’s on the regular menu as well as special dishes specifically for kids.¹ For restaurants to remain competitive, catering to families’ needs is a must.

Some parents—and their kids—may be interested in healthier options on the menu. While comfort foods rank high on the list of things millennial parents look for when ordering meals for their kids,¹ they also want to see healthier foods and beverages that they can feel great about giving to their kids. Consider apple slices as a side instead of french fries, for instance, or veggies like carrot sticks or cucumber slices. Grilled chicken strips can also be offered as a healthier option. For families who have special dietary needs, consider offering gluten-free nuggets and highlighting that on the menu, as well. 

Tyson® Gluten Free Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets

Alongside healthy options and comfort foods, millennial parents also look for build-your-own combos when dining with their kids.¹ Being able to tailor a kids’ meal to their child’s unique taste is convenient, and it helps ensure they’ll choose something their child actually wants to eat, too. A build-your-own combo could include an entrée, choice of a side and a beverage priced for value. For example, a build-your-own combo could give kids and parents the choice of an entree such as chicken tenders, a cheeseburger or a corn dog. Then, to add to the combo, customers could choose between sides including veggie sticks, fruit, french fries or mac and cheese. To finish the combo off, they can choose a beverage such as sparkling or flavored water, milk, juice or a soda.