Millennials, yes millennials, likely to prefer chain restaurants: studyMillennials, yes millennials, likely to prefer chain restaurants: study

Younger consumers are far more likely than their older counterparts to prefer chains to independent restaurants, according to an annual global consumer survey from consulting firm AlixPartners.

“We were surprised to see that,” AlixPartners Managing Director Kurt Schnaubelt said in an interview. “The Baby Boomer wants independents and wants full-service restaurants.”

The results came in a global survey of more than 8,000 consumers in a dozen countries, including the U.S.

According to the survey, 28 percent of consumers 18 to 24 prefer chains, while 31 percent of consumers 25 to 34 prefer chains. That number drops as consumers get older — only 13 percent of worldwide consumers over 55 prefer chains.

Schnaubelt believes that younger consumers a...