chain restaurants

Eating out is always a treat, but the problem with eating food someone else makes is that you have no idea how much sodium it's loaded with. 2,300 mg of salt (one teaspoon) is the recommended daily limit for healthy people, but if you have issues with high blood pressure, 1,500 mg is your limit. According to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease." This nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group wants to reveal five meals from popular restaurants that should get a ticket for their obscene sodium contents.

1. Red Lobster Admiral's Feast with Caesar salad, Lobster-topped mashed potato, cheddar bay biscuit, and a lemonade — 7,106 mg
2. Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas complete with tortillas and condiments, and a Dr. Pepper — 6,916 mg
3. Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg

To see the rest read more

Sandwich chain Subway isn't dropping Olympian Michael Phelps as a sponsor yet — but it has removed all semblance of the swimmer from its website, and plans to delay its first TV campaign starring the gold medalist, which was originally slated for early 2009.

This is the fast-food chain's response after a photo broke last week of the Olympian smoking a bong. Immediately following the news, Kellogg's dropped its endorsement deal with the swimmer, and we wondered whether Phelps's other food sponsor, Subway, would follow the cereal maker's footsteps. Indeed, Phelps, who was all over the company's SubwayFreshBuzz website, which highlights "fresh celebrities," is no longer featured. The restaurant chain said in an official statement:

Like most Americans, and like Michael Phelps himself, we were disappointed in his behavior. Also, like most Americans, we accept his apology. Moving forward, he remains in our plans.

Considering the backlash that followed when Kellogg's dropped Phelps (a petition to boycott all of the brand's products), it's a smooth move on Subway's part to hang onto the swimmer, but have him lay low for a while. What's your opinion of the sandwich chain's strategy? Were you surprised they didn't end his endorsement deal?

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Hoping to put an end to hemorrhaging sales, Starbucks is moving full speed ahead with a new strategy. In addition to cutting workers' hours and streamlining recipes, the nation's largest coffee chain will be entering a partnership with the country's biggest sandwich franchise, Subway. Next month, select Subways will start selling Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee. In the six-month test launch, approximately 1,900 Subway sandwich shops will carry coffee blends, including the Seattle's Best Blend, Henry's Blend, and the 6th Avenue Bistro Blend. Subway has long wanted to tap into the morning market: earlier this year, Subway announced it would be rolling out a new line of cafés.

Still, I was taken aback to learn that it wouldn't be creating its own label. I'm also surprised to hear that, after closing 600 stores in 2008, Starbucks is expanding its coffee business yet again. Do you think it's a wise move? Would you hit up a Subway to get coffee?

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Restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday announced its plans to destroy one of its locations next Tuesday in an explosion that will be broadcast live on its website. The explosion signals a new era for the chain, something the company has been trying to do with its slogan, "It's a brand new Tuesday."

The bomb will go off on Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. EDT, at an undisclosed restaurant location which is the last remaining "old-style site." The overhaul includes a new "simple, fresh, American dining" menu and revamped décor. The makeover was the plan of David Oakley, who said:

They have redone everything . . . gotten rid of all the bicycles hanging from the recycles, the surfboards and old movie posters to point where there wasn't an inch of space.

With an oversaturated sit-down restaurant market and an increasingly poor economy, the casual dining industry has been reeling. This campaign comes on the heels of an announcement two days ago that Bennigan's would be closing almost 300 restaurants after more than 30 years. What do you think about the bombing? Will you watch?

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With reality stars posing as fashion designers and singers turning into restaurateurs, it's no surprise that Starbucks and Subway would expand into something other than caffeinated beverages and sandwiches. Tomorrow Starbucks is scheduled to launch a new smoothie line. Called Vivanno Nourishing Blends, the smoothies come in two flavors: Orange Mango Banana and Chocolate Banana.

Scrambling to increase sales with innovative new products like smoothies, Starbucks has reason to worry: Subway is testing out a cafe concept. The Subway cafes will be larger than the existing sandwich shops with comfortable seating, wi-fi, espresso drinks, gelatos, and paninis. Subway isn't the first fast-food chain to expand into coffee, both McDonalds and Burger King have been heavily promoting coffee drinks.

What do you think about these announcements? Will you try a Starbucks smoothie or Subway coffee?

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