Pancakes for dinner, anyone? Don't laugh. According to restaurant research firm Technomic's most recent Breakfast Consumer Trend Report, 46% of those surveyed said they'd like to see full-service restaurants offer breakfast throughout the day.
Many diners, as well as national chains that stake their brand to breakfast, like Denny's and IHOP, have served all-day breakfast for years. Now the trend is expanding into fast-food restaurants and even high-end establishments — and not necessarily in the healthiest of ways.
Kara Nielsen, trendologist with the Center for Culinary Development in San Francisco, pointed out that waffles have taken over for buns and bread slices in gourmet sandwiches. Eggs are starting to show up on pizzas. Dessert dishes that incorporate sugary cereals and doughnuts are also becoming popular, she said.
The growing acceptance of a healthy breakfast is a big reason for this shift, Nielsen believes. Rather than phase indulgent favorites out of their diet completely, consumers are pushing them back to later in the day.
“Many people have grown up eating sugary breakfasts, and they still crave those foods, but they're not OK to eat in the morning anymore,” said Nielsen.
