Nostalgic experiences in time-honored restaurants: Antecedents and outcomes

Abstract

With a long history and strong culinary heritage, time-honored restaurants are often associated with the phenomenon of nostalgia. However, research on nostalgia and nostalgic experiences in time-honored restaurants is largely absent. This study built a framework for nostalgic experiences to understand nostalgia triggers as antecedents and consumers’ revisit intention as the outcome. A survey of 366 residents in Beijing and Shanghai, China, revealed that nostalgia triggered by food and service staff significantly evoked consumers’ memories, and the food and restaurant environment stimulated the communitas component of nostalgic experiences. Memory had a positive effect on both communitas and positive emotions, while communitas had a positive effect on positive emotions. Finally, positive emotions resulted in significantly increased revisit intention. • This study developed a conceptual model of nostalgic experiences and validated in time-honored restaurants setting. • Nostalgic experiences triggered by food and service staff significantly evoke consumers’ memories. • This study found that cognitive appraisals of nostalgia triggers have a significant influence on purchase intentions through positive emotions.