[quote author="bkshopr" date=1220065755]Bubblegum,
Well put. Everyday day skills are what the kids need for the rest of their lives. Kids can't cook because the parents did everything for them including wiping their behind so they can concentrate in studying. We are seeing a huge increase in "everyday necessity" restaurants where the focus is not ambiance and leaving a tip. Those who can't cook will eat at these restaurants more frequently and allow them to stretch their budget a little more. This group will try to stay away from fast foods but eat at a "transitional hybrid" restaurant frequently where one can order in line while the bus boy/server also brings the food to the table in retaining some tradition of a classy establishment.
Here is a realistic example for a well known chain restaurants who found the niche for this type of demographic:
Pei Wei is the quick turn over profit center for Paul Fleming (PF Chang). 4 turn over?s per evening at an average rate of $18/person for PF Chang while Pei Wei's remarkable 12 turns at $12/person yield a higher profit as well as the dining area's densely packed tables also added additional occupancy capacity.
PF Chang's bar generates quite a bit of revenue to make up for the off set. The strategy is to make the patrons wait so they can have a few more drinks.
Markets like Trader Joes and Whole Foods are stocking more ready made dinners to take home. Some retails just specialize in packaging fresh ingredients for the menu of the day where families have a monthly meal plan.
Chinese Foods are often required freshly prepared ingredients but the chefs manage to invent alternatives for the growing demand of Chinese can't cook. My posting on dumplings generated some interesting posts by Acpme and Momopi. Frozen dumplings, wontons, BBQ pork buns, pot stickers and etc are just a few of the ways the Asians are coping with the needs of cultural foods.
The current generation is changing the way we live. Retails, restaurants and market must also need to adjust to the changing need of our lifestyle.</blockquote>
You are a random, random person.