What you need to know

Black consumers visit quick service restaurants (ie “fast food” restaurants) because they are easily accessible and also because they offer tasty indulgent food that is okay to eat on occasion. As QSRs introduce menu and technological innovations to compete with other restaurants and drive in foot traffic, Black consumers are drawn to regular, consistently prepared meals as well as premium, natural ingredients.

Definition

This Report covers industry trends, Black consumer attitudes, behavior and perceptions regarding quick service restaurants.

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following restaurant definitions:

LSRs (limited service restaurants) provide food services whereby customers usually select and order items and pay before dining. Food/drink may be consumed on the premises, offered as carryout or delivered to the customer’s location. These restaurants may also sell alcoholic beverages. LSRs include both QSRs and fast casual restaurants.

  • QSRs (quick service restaurants) are used interchangeably with “fast food.” QSRs specialize in inexpensive, convenient meals. There is typically no waiter service and no alcoholic beverages at QSRs. Examples include: McDonald’s, KFC, Subway and Dominos.

  • Fast casual restaurants are characterized by a higher price point than QSRs, though not as high as full-service restaurants. Fast casuals do not offer waiter service and may or may not serve alcohol. Examples include: Chipotle, Panera Bread, Shake Shack and Blaze Pizza.

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