Any operator who courts the family trade will tell you: children often drive the decision about where to eat dinner. And while you don’t necessarily have to go the route of birthday clubs and coloring-book placemats to appeal to families, child-friendly menu options and service policies will go a long way toward keeping kids—and their parents—happy.

It’s important to understand that, as with any consumer group, children do not represent one big, undifferentiated block. Babies and toddlers have different needs and desires than grade-school children and older tweens and teens, and your efforts should reflect that.

But within that broad category, there are definitely some interesting trends going on:

•More restaurants are offering separate kids menus that tout such youthful favorites as grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken fingers, mini-pizzas, and mac-and-cheese—not just smaller portions of the same foods parents get

•Healthy options like fruit instead of fries will please parents, as well as older kids who are already concerned with diet and nutrition

•Special family-oriented promotions are catching on, even in more “grown-up” restaurants, such as Sunday family night or kiddie discounts at early hours

•Don’t forget the kid appeal of beverages: Offer an alternative to carbonated beverages, such as juice or even a special mocktail designed specifically for the younger set

•Dessert is another area to exercise some child’s play: Sundaes and other ice-cream specialties are coming on strong, and can be equally appealing to the “kid” in all adults

Remember that it’s important not to overdo the kid stuff unless it’s appropriate for your particular operation—you don’t want to drive away the grownups. But if your core business is families or you want to reach out to more family groups, this can be a lucrative market.

Sturdy, fun dinnerware, appropriately sized for smaller appetites, is what’s called for when serving kids. For more information on how Cardinal can provide tableware that will help you build the family business, contact sales@cardinalglass.com

Test your Cardinal Newsletter/Website knowledge and put yourself in the winner’s circle. Just read, retain, and be among the first to respond. For this issue, the first five respondents who correctly answer the following three questions will receive a case of Arcoroc Hurricane Glasses.

1. What Arcoroc collection spells out FUN?

2. Shakes and ice cream sodas are especially fun in shapely ________.

3.Opinon: What are some other ways restaurants can increase family-friendly service? (Your opinions will be published)

Please send your responses to: Janice.Douglas@arc-intl.com. Include your name, address and email. Winners will be notified by email.