What Gen Z Wants from Coffee Shops
This article originally appeared on Restaurant Insider
Generation Z grew up with Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts on every corner. They’ve always been able to find just a cup of coffee pretty much anywhere they go so it’s not surprising the latest restaurant industry trends find that it takes more than a well-brewed cup o’ joe to lure them in.
Two recent studies on the coffee preferences of younger generations found that they’re “a finicky group of conscious consumers who have deeper emotional connections to their coffee experiences than their generations predecessors.”
Gen Z is continuing to demand a trend that has started to appear more frequently thanks to the Millennial generation that came before them but are also asking for more. They want an experience to go along with their coffee and they expect to be able to align their purchases with their ethics as well. On the surface, their expectations might seem impossible to meet, but by paying attention to a few main points, your coffee shop can easily attune itself to the upcoming generation.
Transparency
This is one way that Millennials and Gen Z are the same — they both want to know that their dollars are, at least in part, being used to make positive contributions to the world through the establishments they shop at. “Whether it’s sustainability in general or community-based programs, transparency feeds their desire for an experience that is more than a cup of coffee. Make your efforts clear and customers will come,” shares Restaurant News. If part of your proceeds goes to a non-profit of all of your coffee is fair trade, don’t be shy about making it known. Gen Z wants to see that stuff.
Quality
“Gen Z’ers have high expectations when it comes to clean, organic food that’s produced both ethically and sustainably (like cage-free eggs),” notes Restaurant Hospitality. Whether it’s the coffee they’re drinking, the scone they’re munching on, or a sandwich they’re picking up for lunch, members of Generation Z expect food…
