The domestic food service industry has been rapidly growing thanks to the rise of income level resulting from the growth of national economy, the increase of leisure time, the improvement of life quality, the increase of dual-income couples, the incre...
The domestic food service industry has been rapidly growing thanks to the rise of income level resulting from the growth of national economy, the increase of leisure time, the improvement of life quality, the increase of dual-income couples, the increase of single households, the transition of consumption patterns, the decrease of working hours, increasing interest in healthy food and the change of value system. Recently families become the main customers of the food service industry and family-centered lifestyle has been settled, an increasing number of restaurants are targeting families as their main customers. Therefore, it is necessary for restaurants to analyze the demands and desires of family dining-out customers and how they will change in the future.
Thus the present study purposed to examine factors affecting restauran selection behaviors, focused on the concept and characteristics of food service industry, the process of families purchase decision and the concept of family life cycle. For this purpose, this study carried out an experimental research through a questionnaire survey based on previous literature reviews related to the food service industry, family life cycle and restaurant selection behaviors. The experimental research examined whether there are differences in the importance of selection attributes according to family life cycle (the age of children, decision maker in choosing restaurants, etc.). According to the result, families with young children considered child-related selection attributes such as play ground for children, children's menus, discount menus for children and easily understandable menus. In addition, in families restaurant selection, children of older age participated more in decision making.
Considering the results of this study, it is necessary for restaurants to b aware of how family dining-out consumers demands and desires will change in the future. Moreover, restaurants can meet customers desires when they are equipped with basic factors related to food and services. Furthermore, they need to analyze the existing food service market objectively, to sub-divide the market carefully, and to establish appropriate marketing strategies fit for the characteristics of the restaurants.