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Let's Dish: What Chain Restaurants Do You Eat At?

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:05:31 PDT

A question in the Village Voice's Ask the Critics column has got me thinking about chain restaurants. Do you eat at a lot of chains?

Although there's the occasional time I find myself at a chain restaurant, I generally avoid them. The large portions, standardized decor, and generic food don't appeal to me. If I'm going to spend money on a meal out, I want it to be delicious and original!

That being said, the chains I make an exception for are BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse and Hillstone. I've eaten at both more than once and wasn't disappointed. Hillstone's artichoke dip is one of the best I've tasted! How about you? What chain restaurants do you eat at?

Source: Flickr User QuesterMark

Burger King Partners With Seattle's Best Coffee

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:04:14 PST

Looks like Burger King wants its own piece of the coffee and breakfast pie. The number two fast food chain has become the latest restaurant to enter the on-the-go breakfast market. In an announcement yesterday, Burger King said it plans to offer Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee in 7,250 of its US restaurants by September.

In addition to hot coffee drinks, the new rollout, which begins this Summer, will also include iced drinks with the option of vanilla or mocha flavor and whipped topping. Pricing for the drinks will be up to the discretion of franchise owners, but suggested prices range from $1 to $2.79. The coffee beverages will be sold all day.Burger King is ditching its BK Joe coffee brand once the Seattle's Best Coffee takes over. In addition to the new drink offerings, "You should expect to see new and improved products from Burger King at breakfast," said marketing vice president John Schaufelberger.

One thing's for sure: McDonald's McCafés, Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, and even Seattle's Best parent company Starbucks will soon face stiff competition. Would you be apt to buy Seattle's Best joe from Burger King?

Source: Flickr Users rachaelvoorhees and aabrilru

KFC Closing Stores For a Good Cause

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:36 PDT

Is KFC trying to make amends for the Double Down, its infamous sandwich made with chicken patties instead of bread? The chicken chain is taking a break from inventing indulgent new foods to fight hunger, starting next Tuesday. Over the next few weeks, KFC will temporarily close more than 15,000 locations during the lunch rush and convert them into "World Hunger Relief Kitchens."

The kitchens will serve free grilled chicken meals to needy families while also raising awareness with charitable food drives and car washes at the shuttered stores. Fighting hunger is a pet cause of parent company Yum Brands, which launched a World Hunger Relief fund in 2007. Though there is some irony to KFC giving away free grilled chicken while it's being sued for grilled chicken, I can definitely get behind this good cause.

What do you think about the store closings: publicity stunt or sincere do-gooding?

Do You Eat at The Cheesecake Factory?

partysugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:30:10 PDT

Michael Ruhlman is a well-respected author in the food industry. Recently he shocked everyone when he wrote an article (prompted by a challenge from fellow journalist Kelly Alexander) that praised The Cheesecake Factory. A resident in malls across America, The Cheesecake Factory has an extensive 20-page laminated menu. While I haven't eaten there in years, it holds a special place in my heart: The Cheesecake Factory is where I had my very first mojito (shh...I wasn't 21). How do you feel about the establishment? Do you think the food is good?

Photo by flickr user mela sogono

Michael Phelps Will Shine Again in Subway's Spotlight

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:51:11 PDT

Subway's ready to test the waters again with spokesperson Michael Phelps: This past Sunday during the US national swimming championships, the sandwichmaker began airing commercial spots starring the Olympic gold medalist. Phelps' year got off to a rocky start when a photo surfaced in February of him smoking marijuana out of a bong.

Within days, USA Swimming had suspended the Olympian from the sport for three months, and Kellogg's decided not to renew its contract with Phelps. Amidst the scandal, the swimming champion was able to hang onto his other major endorsement, Subway - by a thread.

The sandwich chain maintained it was sticking by Phelps, but removed all semblance of Phelps from its website as well as delayed his TV campaign slated for the beginning of the year. The commercials are to reveal that the swimmer - who, at the peak of training, eats as much as 10,000 calories a day - is a fan of Subway's meatball sandwich with jalapeños.

Do you think it's a smart move on Subway's part to hang onto Michael Phelps as a spokesperson?

5 Saltiest Meals, With a Side Order of Hypertension

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:00:00 PDT

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.

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

To see the rest

Subway Still Backs Michael Phelps - Sort Of

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:16:22 PST

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?

Source

Starbucks Has a New Strategy: Sell in Subway Shops

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:49 PST

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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Is Ruby Tuesday Blowing Its Campaign Out of Proportion?

YumSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:00:32 PDT

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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Starbucks to Do Smoothies, Subway to Do Coffee

partysugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:15:47 PDT

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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