Gen Z Dining Trends: Prioritizing New Cuisines and Good Customer Service

Gen Z consumers (those born between 1997 and 2012) like to experience new food and cuisines, and will go out of their way to eat at a restaurant that offers convenience and better customer service.

Those are two insights from YouGov Profiles, a continuous, nationally representative survey, conducted in July 2025.

Key findings from the research include:

• Dining out is a treat—61% of Gen Z say it’s for special occasions rather than an everyday routine.
• Food discovery matters—Nearly three in four (73%) like trying new cuisines, though 37% consider themselves cautious eaters.
• Takeout is common but not dominant—43% usually order in, while 38% say they don’t.
• Community and service count—58% say supporting local restaurants is important, and 63% will drive farther for better service or tech-enabled convenience.
• Eco-conscious but not fully committed—While 31% report changing their diets to eat more locally sourced produce, 25% more organic and 24% less meat, 35% admit they haven’t made any eco-related food changes.

YouGov also asked U.S. Gen Z adults at which quick-service restaurant (QSR) and casual dining brands they are most likely to eat. The YouGov BrandIndex survey was conducted from April 28 to July 27, 2025.

The top five QSR brands chosen by Gen Z respondents were:

1. McDonald’s (21.6%)
2. Chick-fil-A (13%)
3. KFC (10.6%)
4. Taco Bell (8.7%)
5. Subway (8.2%)

The top five casual dining restaurant brands chosen included:

1. Wingstop (12.3%)
2. Texas Roadhouse (10.4%)
3. IHOP (6.6%)
4. The Cheesecake Factory (6.3%)
5. Olive Garden (5.8%)