Insights

Making Beverage Chains Family Favorites: How Kid-Friendly Touches Drive Loyalty

The Rise of the Family-Friendly Drink Stop

From quick coffee runs to smoothie breaks, beverage-focused restaurants are woven into everyday routines. Increasingly, parents are bringing their kids along — and expecting more than just adult-oriented menus. Our recent survey of parents with children ages 3–10 shows that chains like Scooter’s, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Dutch Bros, Swig, and Starbucks are becoming family destinations.

Parents told us these brands aren’t just about caffeine. They’re about shared experiences, convenience and making kids feel included.

Why It Matters

We surveyed parents who are consistent visitors to beverage-focused chains, and a majority said they’ve brought their kids to beverage-focused restaurants in the past six months. And when they do:

Most also buy something for their kids, creating incremental sales.
Favorite brands stand out for friendliness, customization and special treats like smoothies, hot chocolate, cake pops, or even dirty sodas topped with candy.

When kids enjoy the visit, parents are more likely to return. The family experience becomes a loyalty driver.

Opportunities to Be Even More Kid-Friendly

When asked what would make beverage chains more kid-friendly, parents consistently pointed to:

Kid-Specific Drinks – Smaller, caffeine-free, customizable beverages.
Preventing Spills – Spill-proof kids’ cups.
Healthy Yet Fun Options – Smoothies and fruit-based treats parents feel good about.
Toys or Giveaways – Parents see them as ways to spark joy, keep kids occupied and create nostalgia (much like fast-food kids’ meals).
Nutritious Options – Lower sugar, healthy snacks and natural ingredients.
Affordable Value – Discounts, kids’ deals and special pricing to ease family budgets.
Entertainment Touches – Coloring pages, kid-friendly cup designs or interactive décor.
Warm, Welcoming Service – Staff who engage with kids, making them feel like real customers.

Spotlight on Toys: A Winning Idea

We tested one concept directly: What if beverage chains offered free kids’ toys or giveaways with every child’s beverage or snack?

A whopping 93% of parents told us they love or like the idea. Here’s why:

Makes Kids Happy – Parents emphasized how much joy a small toy brings. “It’s a fun idea and makes kids want to go,” said one respondent.
Keeps Kids Engaged – A toy can turn a car ride or café stop into a smoother experience. Parents noted it helps occupy kids while they sip.
Feels Special – Receiving something extra makes kids feel rewarded and valued. One parent said, “My kids love getting prizes — it makes the visit feel like a treat.”
Encourages Repeat Visits – Many parents admitted toys would spark requests for return trips: “This would absolutely make my kid want to go to a beverage chain more often.”
Nostalgia Factor – Some parents reflected on their own memories of kids’ meal toys and welcomed the idea for their children.

The data is compelling: if a beverage-focused restaurant chain offered free kids’ toys/giveaways it would…

Make their kids more excited
about visiting that brand

Make that brand
seem more fun

Make parents more likely to
take their kids there more often

Make that brand seem like a
better value for their family

The Takeaway for Brands

The message is clear: small kid-friendly touches can have an outsized impact. Free toys or giveaways add excitement. Healthier and fun options make parents feel good. Affordable pricing and engaging service seal the deal.

Just as collectibles have boosted brand love for QSRs, kid-focused offerings can transform beverage chains into family loyalty hubs. By listening to parents — and delighting kids — these brands can secure a stronger place in everyday family routines.

Want to understand how to deliver kid-friendly strategies that increase loyalty and sales? C3 can help!

About C3

C3 is an industry-leading design and brand marketing agency with more than 38 years of experience creating connections with customers, from families with children to Gen Zers. We provide insights, strategy, creativity and supply-chain expertise to build smart marketing programs around fully custom products, like kids’ meal toys, collectibles and other branded entertainment. We design and produce brand experiences you can touch — and that’s more powerful than a marketing message alone. A C3 product ignites a moment of joy and creates brand loyalty that lasts.