US Census data shows that nearly 50% of young adults ages 18–24 are enrolled in or have completed college. Students will continue to be an important demographic as they rely heavily on foodservice. About three quarters of students purchase food/beverages on campus at least once per week or more, and 67% of students order food from an off-campus restaurant, up from 63% in 2013, according to Technomic’s recently released “College & University Consumer Trend Report.”
Students today are more interested in healthier options, ethnic cuisines and trying adventurous foods. One quarter of students also said they would be willing to pay more for ethnically inspired foods.