POPULARITY OF THEMED RESTAURANTS

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the preferences of Hospitality and Tourism Management students toward themed restaurants. Descriptive type of research was used in this study with questionnaire as the main instrument. One hundred thirty-six (136) Third Year and Fourth Year BSHM and BSTM students enrolled in the Second Semester of School Year 2017-2018 participated in the study. Results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were familiar and have already dined with themed restaurants. Budget allotment of most of the respondents in visiting a themed restaurant ranged from P100 to not less than P1000 pesos. Unicorn Café, Dog House Café and Amo Yamie Crib were the preferred type of themed restaurants of the respondents. It was revealed that Food Quality, Restaurant Concept and Service were among the top three important expectations of the respondents in a themed restaurant while Disney characters, Entertainment and Retro were the three features of a themed restaurant that the respondents suggested. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that social media is a great avenue for the marketing of special types of
restaurants. Consider also the latest trends in creating more unique concepts of a themed restaurant and marketing research must be conducted in order to further determine the food preferences of different age groups.

Keywords: popularity, themed restaurants, preferences, features