Purchasers in Hospitality

• A restaurant manager is described as someone who should be familiar with buying sources and supplies. As they are responsible for inventory, dealing with suppliers, and purchasing, they would likely be responsible for purchasing straws and cutlery.
• Roles such as a Purchasing Manager are also responsible for purchasing and inventory in restaurants, hotels, and fitness facilities.
•  Hospitality procurement managers are targeted as having the ability to make environmental and social impacts. They are responsible for making responsible procurement decisions, such as buying sustainable straws and cutlery.
•  Restaurant owners are targeted in articles concerning the correct quantity of flatware, suggesting they can be responsible for purchasing these supplies.

Purchasing Manager Demographics

• A general purchasing manager, buyer, or purchasing agent in the U.S. has a median annual pay of $69,600 and typically has a Bachelor's degree. However, this does not include solely those in hospitality.
• The average age of a purchasing manager is 46.9. The gender split is around half male, half female and 75% of purchasing managers are white. The most common major is Business. Again, this information did not specify purchasing managers working in hospitality.

Hospitality Manager Demographics

• The average salary for a hospitality manager in the U.S. is estimated at $49,626.
• In the UK, the average age of a hotel manager is 47. The average age of a restaurant manager is 39.
• Hospitality management is dominated by men.
• It is common for hospitality managers to hold a Bachelor's degree in hotel management or hospitality.

Environmentally-Conscious Markets

• There is a rising demand for biodegradable cutlery among restaurants, fast food joints, and cafeterias.
• Many large companies have banned plastic straws. These include Starbucks, McDonald's, and IKEA.
• Similarly, many U.S. cities have also banned plastic straws, such as Washington D.C. and Seattle. The state of California also has a plastic straw ban.
•  Gen Z is described as a generation that is more likely to pay more for sustainable products. 73% of the people surveyed within this generation said they would pay more for a product that is environmentally friendly.
•  Millennials are considered a very environmentally conscious generation. Of those surveyed, 87% “believe that companies should address urgent social and environmental issues.”
• The most environmentally friendly consumers are 76% more likely to earn over $150,000 a year and have a taste for luxury.

Summary of Findings

• Restaurant managers or owners and purchasing or procurement managers are likely to be responsible for purchasing decisions in the hospitality industry.
• Hospitality specific demographics for purchasing managers were unavailable, but demographics for general purchasing managers were included.
• Demographics for hospitality managers were provided.
• Many large companies and cities have banned plastic straws, outlined above.
• High-earning consumers and Gen Z or Millennials are the most environmentally conscious demographics.