75% of Consumers Support Adults-Only Dining as Gen Z Fuels Shift Toward Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Protein-Packed Menus, Lightspeed Research Finds

• 75% of consumers say restaurants should offer some form of adults-only dining, including 79% of parents

• Gen Z is nearly twice as likely as Baby Boomers to support pets at restaurants (64% vs. 35%)

• 85% of Gen Z say health-linked ingredients influence what they order at restaurants, while 43% prioritize protein when dining out

New research from Lightspeed Commerce Inc., the unified omnichannel platform powering ambitious retail, golf and hospitality businesses in over 100 countries, reveals that restaurant culture is undergoing a significant shift, with consumers increasingly embracing adults-only dining, health-driven menus powered by protein and fiber, and family-style dining.

The Company’s State of Hospitality 2026 report, based on a multi-market consumer survey across the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, found that younger diners in particular are redefining expectations around dining out, influencing everything from menu preferences to restaurant atmosphere.

One of the clearest trends is growing support for adults-only dining spaces. Three in four consumers (75%) say restaurants should offer some form of adults-only dining, including 79% of parents themselves. While half (50%) say it depends on the setting, more than a quarter (26%) support the idea outright. Consumers are most supportive of restricting children in late-evening settings (49%), designated adults-only sections (46%), romantic settings (46%) and alcohol-focused venues (43%).

At the same time, restaurants are becoming increasingly dog-friendly. Nearly half of consumers (45%) support allowing dogs at restaurants in some capacity, including 16% who are comfortable with dogs both indoors and outdoors, and 29% who support outdoor-only access. Among Gen Z consumers, support rises sharply to 64%, compared to 35% of Baby Boomers.

The research also highlights how wellness trends are reshaping restaurant menus. A third of U.S. diners (32%) now say high-protein options influence what they order when dining out, ahead of Canada (27%), the UK (21%), Germany (14%) and France (12%). Gut health is also becoming a growing consideration, with 22% of Americans saying digestive or gut-friendly ingredients are becoming more important in their dining choices.

Overall, 68% of Americans say ingredients linked to health benefits such as protein, fiber and gut health now influence what they order at restaurants, outperforming Canada (64%), the UK (55%), France (53%) and Germany (46%).

Gen Z consumers are leading much of the shift. More than four in ten Gen Z diners (43%) prioritize protein when eating out, compared to 23% of Baby Boomers. Meanwhile, 85% say ingredients tied to health benefits influence their restaurant choices, and 80% say they would be willing to pay more for those options.

Dining etiquette and spending habits are also changing. Nearly one-third of Gen Z diners (30%) say they split the bill on dates, compared to 17% of Millennials and just 7% of Gen X consumers. Shared dining is becoming increasingly common as well, with more than half of Gen Z diners (56%) preferring family-style dining so they can try more dishes, while only 13% say they prefer ordering their own individual meal.

Economic pressures are also shaping behavior. Nearly four in ten consumers (39%) say rising restaurant prices are causing them to share more dishes or order less when dining out.

“Restaurants are adapting to a generation of diners with very different expectations around food, atmosphere and social experiences,” said Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce. “Today’s consumers are looking for dining experiences that feel more personalized, health-conscious and flexible, whether that means protein-focused menus, shared plates, pet-friendly spaces or more curated environments tailored to different occasions.”

The findings underscore how hospitality businesses are increasingly balancing evolving consumer expectations around wellness, affordability, social connection and experience-driven dining.