This Georgia restaurant chain is tops with teens, new study finds

Bank and asset management firm Piper Jaffray is out with the results of its 34th semi-annual "Taking Stock With Teens" research survey, which asked 6,100 teens, average age 16, in 44 U.S. states to talk about their favorite brands and shopping habits.

Key findings: Snapchat is by far the preferred social media platform of this demographic group, most teens (81 percent) expect their next phone will be an iPhone, Nike is the go-to brand, topping the chart in both clothing and footwear and Amazon is the premier web site.

The kids' favorite place to grab a bite: metro Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A.

Starbucks actually topped the "restaurant" category but food sales account for only about 20 percent of sales, and "food sales as a percentage of revenue have been fairly flat," a Motley Fool writer for Business Insider noted in this article about Starbucks' growth prospects.

Also making the list: Chipotle, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Olive Garden and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Piper Jaffray researchers questioned both high-income and average-income teens and equal affinity for the home of waffle fries and cows with creative spelling habits among both groups.

About the survey: "Since the project began in 2001, Piper Jaffray has surveyed more than 155,000 teens and collected nearly 40 million data points on teen spending in fashion, beauty and personal care, digital media, food, gaming and entertainment."

Caption

Chick-fil-A is tops with teens. Photo: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Caption

Chick-fil-A is tops with teens. Photo: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Jennifer Brett