Economic pressure and lower consumer confidence continue to make decisions around cooking, eating out or ordering food more deliberate. As consumers reassess discretionary spending, weekly eating habits reveal how convenience and value are defined across generations.
For Gen Zers, convenience combines casual experiences and flexible choices. Euromonitor’s Lifestyles Survey, fielded January to February 2026 (“2026 Lifestyles Survey”), showed that 78% of Gen Zers purchase takeaway food and 68% order home delivery at least weekly, reinforcing the demand for efficiency. Consumers in this cohort are frequent shoppers in fast-casual outlets offering “affordable treats”, such as convenience stores and café shops. Socialising with friends is highly important within eating out experiences for Gen Z consumers. Among generations, they are the most likely to increase visits to restaurants in 2026: 29% have this intention, compared to 21% of global respondents.
Millennials are also looking for time-saving solutions, leading them to be top users of home delivery and takeaway formats. This suggests the demand for hybrid selling models, integrating multiple channels. As their health-conscious behaviour evolves, it creates opportunities for foodservice operators to expand on quick and healthier offerings, prioritising protein-rich, low-sugar and limited portions. The 2026 Lifestyles Survey revealed that for 61% of millennials, casual dine-in visits remained steady, as they looked for intentional occasions while dealing with limited household budgets.
Bakeries are the most visited outlet among more experienced consumers. According to the 2026 Lifestyles Survey, 38% of baby boomers and 35% of Gen X cook or bake almost every day, highlighting the preference for home cooking. Although they have a lower frequency of visits to dine-in restaurants compared to younger consumers, this group highly values dining experiences tied to meaningful occasions.
Read our article on World Cup Effects on Consumer Foodservice in Mexico and the US for analysis on the World Cup impact on consumer behaviour and foodservice strategies, and download our briefing, In Real Life: The Unique Lure of Physical Experience, for strategic recommendations on foodservice landscape and in-person experiences.