Conversely, children may beg not to go to higher-end restaurants, and refuse to eat, but a discounted children's meal will provide a financial compromise for parents dragging small children with small appetites to restaurants when the parents either cannot find someone to mind the child or wish to introduce the child to the experience of fine dining at an early age. Children have smaller and often cheaper appetites, thus justifying the discounted child's menu at most restaurants, and so do senior citizens. Senior...

Also, because they are often retired, seniors tend to eat earlier, thus making the creation of an inexpensive, smaller portioned 'Early Bird' menu at many restaurants attractive for both seniors and restaurants. The restaurants get additional foot traffic from 3-5pm, or low-priority dining hours for working adults while the senior citizens receive a cheaper meal.