Abstract:

The aim of this study where the descriptive research method was used was to determine the eating out habits of families with children under the age of 12 living in Turkey. The research data was collected through survey forms. The survey form was composed of two sections. In the first part there are 8 questions regarding demographic information of the parents who participated in the study and of their children. In the second part, there are 18 questions asked to determine the participants' perspective on the phenomenon of eating out with their children. The 488 parents' survey forms being complete and filled out as instructed were considered. The parents whose survey forms were included in the evaluation have 805 children. A database was established on the computer with the answers of the participants and the obtained data was subjected to frequency, percentage distribution, weight calculation and sorting operations and interpreted in terms of the purpose of the study. According to the results of the study, the frequency of eating out decreases after families have children. The families mostly din out on special occasions. The families mostly prefer restaurants offering meals such as returning kebab, kebab, pide when they go out. The families interfere with their children’s meal orders in order to ensure that their children consume healthier food and beverages. The families give up the decision to eat out mostly because of the lack of appropriate meals for their children’s age and taste palate. The physical conditions being unsuitable for children is another reason decreasing willingness to eat out. It has been determined that the effect of a child request on the selection of a catering enterprise is 81.35%. 79.30% of the participants stated that they could be willing to pay more if it were the case that their children were happier, they could eat healthy food and they could be more comfortable themselves with the provided service. The ratio generated by the result of the participants' answers to the question what would be the rate that you would be willing to pay more was found to be 50.08%.