Millennial and Gen Z Survey Reveals a Substantial Love for Desserts

A recent survey by The Hershey Company and The Center for Generational Kinetics revealed significant dessert branding opportunity with Millennial and Gen Z consumers.
 
The survey focuses on the perceptions, influences, and loyalty of branded dessert products among young consumers as well as understanding and optimizing the messaging techniques for promoting these branded product offerings.

"We were excited to partner with Hershey Foodservice on this research," said Jason Dorsey, President of The Center for Generational Kinetics. "We see across generations that people have a strong affinity for their favorite brands from childhood. The research confirms how the use of branded ingredients in desserts can drive foodservice sales with this important segment of U.S. consumers."

While the culinary habits of most Millennials and Gen-Zs remain a mystery to many in the culinary vertical, this survey has found a substantial proclivity for desert from this age group.

The survey found that 87 percent of people in these generations think about eating dessert one or more times a day. It also found that 47 percent of Gen-Zs And Millennials have a restaurant they frequent just for dessert.
Social media plays a significant role in getting the attention of Gen Z consumers who respond to ads along with sharing and "liking" desserts through multiple platforms. Desserts are also the number one food they photograph.

"This research is great news for foodservice operators," said Chef Darren Belnavis of Hershey Foodservice. "There are so many ways to offer on-trend beverages, snacks, desserts and craft cocktails featuring branded Hershey ingredients. For example, operators can create smoothies or indulgent milkshakes with Instagrammable ingredients, offer shareable desserts that allow patrons to taste more than one brand and are portable to take on the go for a mid-afternoon snack.”
 
 
 

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