In The Hartman Group’s 2014 report, Diners’ Changing Behaviors, we explored the many factors consumers take into account when deciding which type of restaurant or food service channel to eat at. At that time, we discovered that consumers have many motivations for choosing a restaurant — motivations that may sometimes encompass sustainability concerns but more often are wider in scope.

Among these wider motivations, convenience and wanting a break from routine cooking are key reasons consumers choose to patronize restaurants. With that patronage, however, come heightened expectations, as the recent rise of restaurants that successfully promote healthier, higher-quality and fresher menu items has shown consumers that food service can successfully deliver these qualities. This infographic depicts the top reasons for choosing a restaurant across four primary restaurant channels.