Healthy default beverage policies for kids’ meals: A statewide baseline assessment of restaurant managers’ perceptions and knowledge in Delaware

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and other negative health outcomes among children. In response, many government entities have enacted healthy default beverage policies that require restaurants offering bundled kids’ meals—food and drink items combined and sold as a single unit—to include only healthier drinks. Despite growing interest in these policies, little is known about their potential reach, restaurant management perceptions, and possible implementation challenges. This study evaluated restaurant managers’ knowledge and support of a policy in Delaware that had passed, but not yet gone into effect. We conducted structured in-person interviews with managers (n = 50) from full-service and quick-service chain and non-chain restaurants (QSRs) using a stratified random sample. Managers were interviewed about the number of bundled meals sold, beverage sales with those meals, and awareness and perceptions of the policy. On average, QSRs sold significantly more bundled kids’ meals per week (281) compared to full-service restaurants (111), and managers from chain restaurants reported selling significantly more bundled kids’ meals per week (233) compared to non-chain restaurants (91). Managers reported 72.5% of those meals were sold with a healthier beverage (water, milk, or 100% juice), consistent with the forthcoming policy, while 28% were sold with SSBs. Furthermore, although only three managers (6%) reported knowing about the policy, the majority supported it when it was explained. Our findings indicate general support for the intent of the policy, but suggest the need for tailored implementation approaches and additional education for restaurant manager’s and staff.