Zoomers are changing their gastronomic habits: How the catering system in business centers will change
Generation Z prefers to have lunch not in office canteens, but in cafes and restaurants
Most representatives of Generation Z prefer to have lunch not in office canteens, but in cafes and restaurants located in business centers or nearby. This is the conclusion reached by Ekaterina Borisova, Director of Development at Rariteco, who, together with her colleagues, conducted a study on the preferences of Generation Z in the field of office food.
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Thus, 46% of respondents choose cafes and restaurants, preferring a more informal atmosphere and a wide range of dishes. About 20% buy ready-made sets from vending machines or stores near the office, appreciating speed and convenience. The rest of the employees bring food from home or dine in canteens, which emphasizes the need to rethink this format taking into account the needs of the younger generation.
Interestingly, despite the presence of canteens in business centers, only 12.5% of respondents regularly use them, while 25% prefer cafes and restaurants. In general, at least 76% of employees actively use the public catering infrastructure, including vending machines, both in the business centers themselves and nearby. Among those who eat at work, 30% buy food from vending machines or stores, or have lunch in the canteen.
Zoomers demonstrate a special approach to nutrition, actively interested in the composition of products and their origin. For them, not only taste is important, but also health benefits. Many representatives of this generation prefer healthy eating, including vegetarian and vegan options. In addition, young people born between 1995 and 2010 are open to new gastronomic experiences and are interested in trying dishes from different cuisines of the world, especially the growing popularity of Asian street food.
The cost of lunch also plays an important role for zoomers. According to the research, 20% of office workers are ready to spend up to 400 rubles on lunch. The majority, namely 55% of respondents, budget for lunch in the range of 400 to 700 rubles. The remaining 25% are ready to spend more than 700 rubles on lunch. These data emphasize the need to offer a variety of food options in business centers that satisfy both more economical and more demanding employees.
"The transformation of the catering system in business centers is a natural process," Borisova noted. According to her, the consumer, accustomed to a variety of formats and cuisines outside of work, expects a similar range in office food outlets. "The developer's task is to provide a wide choice so that each employee can find an option to their liking. We see the future in a variety of formats - from familiar cafes, restaurants and food halls to modernized canteens and digital cafes that meet the needs of the younger generation," the developer concluded.
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