DiningBuzz! - Why are chain restaurants so popular in the US?

Compared to other places in the world I have visited I'm always amazed at how popular chain restaurants are in the US. Generally I find chain food pretty mediocre at the best of times. I'm talking about for proper sit down meals not fast food, which I think the US does very well! Places like Olive Garden, TGI's, Ruby Tuesday, Outback Steakhouse, have they just managed to squeeze out most of the competition in the low to mid price range?

I know that both McDonald's and Starbucks have research that showed them that one thing people really value is having the confidence that they will receive the same consistent taste, portion, service, etc....a consistent and familiar experience....whenever they visit an outlet of the chain, anywhere they go.

So perhaps that applies at the "proper sit-down meal" type of places as well. I do also think that the majority of people are really not very adventurous when it comes to eating and trying new things...and again, going to the same familiar place over and over again satisfies that approach to dining.

I also think that you find that the places in the U.S. with a more diverse ethnic population mix tend to be at least somewhat less "chain-centric", such as the East and West coast, than perhaps other areas of the country.

I know that in my own city of San Francisco, there is actually a quite forceful movement to RESTRICT chain restaurants (and chain retail stores as well) from coming into the market and perhaps forcing out smaller, locally owned establishments. There is quite a bit of controversy regarding this, with some believing it is contrary to free enterprise, while others feel it helps protects small business and the individual nature of each neighborhood within the city.

I think that, besides the "familiarity" factor, there is also the power of Advertising/Marketing. Chains use mass media advertising, so people just know those brands, what kind of food they serve, and a lot of times how much it'll cost.

I know that both McDonald's and Starbucks have research that showed them that one thing people really value is having the confidence that they will receive the same consistent taste, portion, service, etc....a consistent and familiar experience....whenever they visit an outlet of the chain, anywhere they go.

So perhaps that applies at the "proper sit-down meal" type of places as well. I do also think that the majority of people are really not very adventurous when it comes to eating and trying new things...and again, going to the same familiar place over and over again satisfies that approach to dining.

I also think that you find that the places in the U.S. with a more diverse ethnic population mix tend to be at least somewhat less "chain-centric", such as the East and West coast, than perhaps other areas of the country.

I know that in my own city of San Francisco, there is actually a quite forceful movement to RESTRICT chain restaurants (and chain retail stores as well) from coming into the market and perhaps forcing out smaller, locally owned establishments. There is quite a bit of controversy regarding this, with some believing it is contrary to free enterprise, while others feel it helps protects small business and the individual nature of each neighborhood within the city.

Some good points. Do you think a factor is that American cities are so pedestrian unfriendly that for many restaurants trying to get adequate foot traffic means that they lose out? That would explain why in places like NYC, SFO and other large walkable cities, local independants are able to get more of a foothold.


I think that, besides the "familiarity" factor, there is also the power of Advertising/Marketing. Chains use mass media advertising, so people just know those brands, what kind of food they serve, and a lot of times how much it'll cost.

That's true, but still they had to get that scale before they could start mass media advertising, so somewhere along the line something happened.

I am always stunned that places like the Olive Garden and Outback opened and are doing well in Manhattan and other huge cities. It's not just the tourists either (though of course a good part of it is).

I am with you, I don't understand the popularity of them, but do know for example in many areas, people are just comfortable pulling into a place they know. They also know the food will be just so so and the prices not the best, but they know what will be on the menu, and they know what to expect. The local place across the street may be ten times better and half the price, but it's not a risk people are willing to take.

Look at a place like Applebees. They have done tie ins with Tyler Florence for his "brick pressed chicken" or whatever it was called, which was a roasted chicken. People ordered it thinking Tyler was in the kitchen cooking it. They have done tie ins with Weight Watchers listing points values on the menu for a few "special items" which were just regular menu items with a salad instead of fries for example. People flocked for the stuff. Does anybody think Italians eat the stuff Olive Garden serves for Sunday dinner? Apparently so.

That, and to a large amount of people, some of those chains are fancy places that don't cost them a weeks savings.

I don't remember the last time we made a choice and stopped in any of the sit down chains, I'm sure it's been years.

I am always stunned that places like the Olive Garden and Outback opened and are doing well in Manhattan and other huge cities. It's not just the tourists either (though of course a good part of it is).


Add to this list Pizza Hut in Chicago. I utterly fail to understand how they survive in this market.

I believe it's the familiarity and consistency factor. Some people tend to stick with what they know and are afraid to experiment. And prob lots of people still think Olive Garden is such a FINE DINING experience... :p

That, and to a large amount of people, some of those chains are fancy places that don't cost them a weeks savings.Portion size is part of the equation as well. Even if the food is mediocre at best, being served large quantities of it (often enough to generate a "doggie bag" for an additional meal the next day) introduced a perception of value ("getting ones money's worth").

I believe it's the familiarity and consistency factor. Some people tend to stick with what they know and are afraid to experiment. And prob lots of people still think Olive Garden is such a FINE DINING experience... :p

Very true. I was stuck on a project for quite some time in a city in central California, which may have well been in the boonies. Their main street was chain restaurant heaven - every single chain restaurant (Chili's, BJ's, Applebees, Elephant Bar, etc) was always packed on Thursday evenings. I am almost positive, that these restaurants were the local 'fine dining' locations because there simply was nothing else.

Very true. I was stuck on a project for quite some time in a city in central California, which may have well been in the boonies. Fresno's Blackstone Avenue, by any chance? ;)

I think the chains do a very good job of serving middle-of -the -road, bland food. Their food may not be high quality, but in another sense, because it is tasteless, it doesn't really offend anyone: it appeals to the masses.

I think the chains do a very good job of serving middle-of -the -road, bland food. Their food may not be high quality, but in another sense, because it is tasteless, it doesn't really offend anyone: it appeals to the masses.

a.k.a. lowest common denominator. I've always wondered if the melting pot culture of the U.S. has produced this. Certainly the cuisines of the various ethnicities of U.S. people should make for tasty food. Otherwise perhaps one of the largest cultural and ethnic components is German which isn't renown for exciting tasty food.

Fresno's Blackstone Avenue, by any chance? ;)

Close! I was thinking more along the lines of Stockton's March Lane. Plus Pacific Ave.

Just to rattle off a couple more....Black Angus, El Torito, Old Spaghetti Factory, Marie Callendars, Outback Steakhouse...

It's scary to think that these chains do so well...

generally low standards, which is a reinforcing cycle

marketing > reality

Add to this list Pizza Hut in Chicago. I utterly fail to understand how they survive in this market.

I am as equally amazed but have found that they can compete on price. I know friends that will order from Pizza Hut or Dominos when their kids are having a bunch of friends over. The chains always seem to have deals when ordering multiple pizzas that a good quality local place can't compete with. I also know a lot of people who really want bland, whether it's pizza, Mexican or Chinese, and these places can deliver that.

I don't eat at many chains, but do enjoy Olive Garden on occasion. Perhaps my palate isn't refined enough, but when I've eaten at more expensive Italian places, I just don't see that much value for the money.

Fear. Fear of something unfamiliar. People want the same thing wherever they go..that's also why you see so many Americans at McDonalds abroad.

That, and most of the places we live in the US..in so called "developments" in the exurbs, have ONLY chain restraunts and nearly no mom n pop ones.

One thing that has not been mentioned is that in rural areas chain restaurants are considered what is hip and cool in the rest of America. For example, I often go to Olive Garden because it is a slice of modernity in Maine. It makes me feel like I am connecting with what is going on in Boston, NYC, or LA. It makes me feel good.

My parents live in suburban Dayton, Ohio and for the most part, it is just chain restaurant after chain restaurant there. It gets to a point that when I'm visiting, I sometimes have difficultly telling which is which as some of the chains are regional.

I think it's a combination of everything people have said here. Familiarity, fear, consistency, price, etc. Getting back to this suburb, I know that one of the reasons why my parents invariably end up at a chain restaurant when dining out is because there simply is not really anything else available. All of the non-chain restaurants I can think of in their area are either "ethnic" (Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese etc.) or, ironically, expensive places that are for special occasions. Outside of PF Chang's, no US chain has been able to do "ethnic" sit down food profitably, which is why a lot of those foods, even in the suburban Midwest, remain non-chain restaurants. The expensive, special occasion places are usually restaurants that have been in the area for decades and have become locally renowned.

I just think that's it's really, really difficult to establish a non-chain restaurant in some parts of the US. Sure, someone might try it once but when chain restaurants can sell at lower prices, people will usually go back to the chain restaurants after trying the new, local place once or twice.

Last comment, before anyone makes any jabs, is that my parents aren't foodies or anything, nor are they uncultured slobs who don't know any better. We certainly eat well when I have been overseas with them and they know their stuff but it's just that when in the suburban Midwest, I don't think they find it's worth their while to drive across town, spend more money than they would and find that the food wasn't that much better than Chili's/TGIF/whatever.

The sad thing is that before the chains came in and killed any local restaurants there was probably some great restaurants that showed the regional variation of food in America.

I think it is because there are a lot of boring people. They don't know/unwilling or too "shy" to try other cuisines so they keep going back to all these chain places. They're not cheap either. I can't stand paying $19.99 for a steak with fries on the side when I know the restaurant is making a lot of money out of it. You can get 10lb bag of potaotes for 99cents so basically you are paying $19.99 for a steak that you can get for about less than half that at the supermarket and is it really that hard to grill a steak? In recent years though, I've noticed more and more people in "ethnic" cuisines. There are definitely more non-asians in Chinese restaurants now. In the past, a lot of people buy American cars, then they got smart and bought Japanese cars. One day, more people will get smart and refuse to get rip off anymore and eat at Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants. More flavour, cheaper and you don;t have to deal with the attitude and tips.

An uneducated palate or fear of the unknown. Some diners won't accept or don't realize that cooked to order seasonally available dishes cost more.

I am the adventurous type (thanks to 21 years in the Army) while Mrs. Italy, who is from the Midwest and while more steak and potatoes, is slowly introducing her taste buds to various ethnic dishes.

I view the chains as related to wal-mart. When a wal-mart opens the mom and pop stores in the surrounding area eventually close. A chain restaurant has a large family to draw from where the small, local restaurant doesn't have that financial backing or the ability to compete financially. In the five years living in the GNV area we have lost count of the restaurants which open then close or change name. Besides the local ones just mentioned, there are three chain and five fast food locations that closed within the last year.

The sad thing is that before the chains came in and killed any local restaurants there was probably some great restaurants that showed the regional variation of food in America.

If I can base my opinion on what remains, there were some nasty local restaurants that the chains put out of business.

I think it is because there are a lot of boring people.

I work in the oil industry with many "middle americans" to whom sushi is too "exotic".

I work in the oil industry with many "middle americans" to whom sushi is too "exotic".

To be fair sushi is quite a particular taste if you don't like raw fish well then you won't like 95% of sushi. What I was getting at was if most of us here on FT saw a local Italian trattoria and on the other side of the street was an Olive Garden, then we'd probably take the Olive Garden. At some point middle America appears to have said nup I'll take the chain.

I think from what I have read here the most likely explanation is that in many smaller cities good food was hard to find, so while TGI's etc may have been nothing special in the big cities it was refreshingly different from the bad Chinese restaurant or diner and they gave big portions at good prices. So people started going to chains and then they just got comfortable with it so they never went back.

I believe it's the familiarity and consistency factor. Some people tend to stick with what they know and are afraid to experiment.

I think sometimes people aren't necessarily afraid as much just not inclined to experiment in certain situations.

I know my own city, and I know where to get good food. I know the names of the chefs at my favorite restaurants and I could probably tell you which flight the copper river salmon I'm eating came down from Cordova on.

However, I have hungry teenage boys, and a budget. Quantity matters to them. Its not worth the price premium to fill their hollow legs at a local place when I can take them to Old Country Buffet or Cheesecake factory. They get to eat to their hearts content, I'm happy cuz they got some salad in them..which they wouldn't do at McDonalds, the eating out budget doesn't take a huge hit...and there might even a doggie bag for when they are inevitably hungry an hour later.

Also, when I'm somewhere else, if I've had a long day, and I'm hungry, I may not necessarily have the time or inclination to read through reviews of the best non chain places. And since some chains are regional.. I might not even know it was a chain. So in lieu of the possibility of really crappy food, brand recognition and proximity is going to win.

Lots of food snobs here I see.

You are not 'better' or 'more interesting' because of your diet...I assure you.

"boring"..."uneducated"...give me a break.

Fresno's Blackstone Avenue, by any chance? ;)

FWIW Fresno has many great locally-owned restaurants from excellent hole-in-the-wall taco stands to fine dining.

Please PM if you need assistance locating a better restaurant next time you visit.

What I was getting at was if most of us here on FT saw a local Italian trattoria and on the other side of the street was an Olive Garden, then we'd probably take the Olive Garden. At some point middle America appears to have said nup I'll take the chain.



I don't know if your statement that FT'ers would take the Olive Garden is true or not. I do understand that people may prefer to choose Olive Garden because it is a known choice. They would prefer the known mediocre to the risk of better or worse. Another aspect is that many equate portion size to value, which is something that chains excel at, although, most Americans would do better to restrict their portion size as much as possible (I include myself in the group who needs to restrict portion sizes, although not in the group that equates portion size with value).

For me, my sit-down chain experiences have, by and large, been bad, so I tend to avoid them and seek out the ethnic places if no other choices are available. I went to Olive Garden once several years ago. I have never returned. One recent outing to a chain restaurant in an area where there was little other choice really left me wondering. It was one of the top-rated places on Tripadvisor for this area. I hate to think what the other places were like if this was considered good.

Although I have to go along with many comments about most of the chains, I think I am able to be a little softer on some of them. Why?

My husband and I enjoy fine dining and indulge fairly often. So, I'm talking about expensive dinners. Most of the time, the food is really good, though I have to say that my husband makes a mean steak that is kind of hard to beat. And we can go and have an excellent chopped salad. But I can make a salad with the best of them. If we have potatoes, they are excellent, though potatoes aren't hard to make in my opinion. So I am not sure that it is worth all that money to many people to have dinner out, even though they enjoy getting out and the food may be delicious. They may just not be interested in dropping $200 for one meal for two people. Or they may not be able to afford it.

So, I don't think it's worth all the little drama being shared here. I haven't been to an Olive Garden since shortly after they opened. I've never been to Old Country Buffet or a Cheesecake Factory. I have been to McDonald's and will say they are a plus in today's world. Although I only go 1-2 times a year because of the fat content. When you have had a long day and all of a sudden you realize what time it is and home is still 45 - 60 minutes away, one of their burgers tastes great. Same thing with Friday's and Applebee's- although they are not all created alike. I wouldn't order pizza from Domino's or Pizza Hut if I was starving to death. Also, not everyone lives where there is a huge load of restaurants that aren't chains.

1. americans are real suckers for advertising. and chains do some serious advertising.

2. "better" or "fine" dining is a relatively new thing in the us. perhaps there was find dining in the 50's in nyc or sanfransisco, but other than that, not much.

3. no outstanding food for preparation and no cook books to work from.

any french was really basic. italian was southern tomato italian. chinese was mostly basic cantonese. the greek was real.

there were very few ethnic pockets back then that had brought cooking over from "old country"

my experiences are pretty much limited to DC, MA, OH, PA, MD, IL, FL. i did eat sometimes in NYC, and recall nice country french, and of course "real" chinese. italian was still peasant italian for the most part.

I think a bunch of reasons make chains viable - cheap, (large) portions, standardized foods, familiarity of items on menu and speedy service.

For a family on a tight income, its a way of going out without blowing the bank. For those who are in a hurry, it is fast, easy and relatively cheap.

For many, if you look around you could probably find similar local fare, but most people would never bother to try out something else, for fear it sucks.

As for ethnic foods, PF Changs and Olive Garden are not remotely representative of good Chinese or Italian fare, but people go there.

Finally, I am sure that patrons love the tomacco, err, I mean, extra salt, in the dishes. Seems to make the food more palatable to some.

FWIW Fresno has many great locally-owned restaurants from excellent hole-in-the-wall taco stands to fine dining. Please PM if you need assistance locating a better restaurant next time you visit.I'm a native - I escaped moved away in the mid-1980s, but return a couple of times a year to visit 'Mom' (she lives in the 93726) ;) and other family members.

I would very much like to hear your current recommendations (why not post publically in a separate thread, I'm sure that other business and leisure visitors would be very appreciative).

(I sure do miss the Lahmajoon Kitchen on Butler Avenue).

I guess the kebab shops scattered all across Europe are not considered when speaking of how enlightened dining is there. I resent these explanations that Americans are somehow simple because we have chain restaurants. There is junk food in every developed country I have been to and most undeveloped ones as well.

Another factor would be that many of the local restaurants aren't all that much better. Most of the local mom and pop restaurants with similar menus to the big chains are getting their overly processed ingredients food off of the same SYSCO truck as the chains. Obviously this does not apply to fine dining / high end / ethnic places.

The biggest of the chains (Chilis/TGIF/Applebees/Outback) are basically neighborhood sports bars of various stripes. Go to your local mom and pop sports bar, and see how much better or even different the food is. Mostly just the same with some slight regional variations. The burgers at my local pubs are mostly the same as the chains, but with a few local menu items (in my case in South Florida, grouper, conch fritters, key lime pie etc)

If the food is largely similar and the chains offer a better value proposition, then why not eat at the chains? Especially for people with kids etc?

The only time I eat at chains is if I am on the road. I will admit that I have a little soft spot for Outback...

Lots of food snobs here I see.

You are not 'better' or 'more interesting' because of your diet...I assure you.

"boring"..."uneducated"...give me a break.

ill take the snob title over boring anyday :D

Most of the local mom and pop restaurants with similar menus to the big chains are getting their overly processed ingredients food off of the same SYSCO truck as the chains. Obviously this does not apply to fine dining / high end / ethnic places.

I wouldn't be too sure about those two claims. SYSCO can sell fine pretty basic ingredients (oil, dairy products, sugar, flour) as well as the over-processed foods. The former is perfectly fine for any restaturant to get its basic ingredients from. As for higher-end restaurants not using pre-made foods, I understand that as far back as 10 years ago, some pretty good restaurants were discovered to be using boil in bag foods that they purchased (soups, stews, etc.) and I'd imagine a lot of desserts weren't prepared by the on-premise pastry chef. Unfortunately I don't think this is uncommon.

BTW I understand the SYSCO catalogue has over 40,000 items.

I guess the kebab shops scattered all across Europe are not considered when speaking of how enlightened dining is there. I resent these explanations that Americans are somehow simple because we have chain restaurants. There is junk food in every developed country I have been to and most undeveloped ones as well.

Sure, every country has its own unhealthy food but how many countries have a plethora of near-identical restaurants that produce near-identical products knowingly sourced from the same vendor? I'd wager those kebab shops in Europe are all independent and while not all are good, at least they may be preparing their own food rather than buy it from some corporate supplier.

I'd wager those kebab shops in Europe are all independent and while not all are good, at least they may be preparing their own food rather than buy it from some corporate supplier.

Might want to review the odds before you put up the cash.

http://www.velis.co.uk/index1.html These guys export from the UK to Europe. Besure to click Distribution Network.

I guess the kebab shops scattered all across Europe are not considered when speaking of how enlightened dining is there. I resent these explanations that Americans are somehow simple because we have chain restaurants. There is junk food in every developed country I have been to and most undeveloped ones as well.

From my OP (emphasis added).

I'm talking about for proper sit down meals not fast food, which I think the US does very well!


Most people are restricting their answers to sit-down meals at chains, those kebab stores are by-in-large not chains. What do you think is the reason then for this phenomena? Unless you plan to argue that sit down chains are just as popular in other parts of the world as they are in the US.

Generally I find chain food pretty mediocre at the best of times. I'm talking about for proper sit down meals not fast food

Del Frisco's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's and The Capital Grille are technically chains....

Really surprised at how many people here just think chain restaurant success is a failure of its customers. Totally ignores characteristics of a successful (and to a certain degree american) business model:

From a really good blog post (http://goodrestaurantreviews.blogspot.com/2006/04/why-are-chain-restaurants-so-popular.html) on why chain restaurants are so popular, here were the four reasons for their popularity (and this makes sense to me):

1) Predictability - All Baja Fresh have fresh same variety of salsa, just like all Starbucks (well most of them) make the same-taste coffee. When you walk into a Red Robin, you can expect perky waitresses (most of the time - well maybe not in Seattle). You can even expect bad food in some of them - no matter where you go.

2) Branding - Whether it's an upscale image (PF Chang) or children-friendliness (Red Robin), chain restaurants project an image and they do make an effort to ensure that what they deliver is consistent with the image. If you feel like a particular kind of experience, you simply have to select the chain and find the nearest one.

3) Convenience - For travelers in particular, you can usually find a familiar name in a decent size city when you don't have your Zagat review booklet handy and you notebook can't find a wifi hotspot that's free. Between a unknown local steakhouse with mostly empty parking lot and Outback, which one would you choose? Would you rather go to Big Joe's Tavern (you won't even find it on the web!) or Chili's for a big and juicy burger when you're out in Tennessee?

4) Sense of Security - No one, or very few people, enjoy looking like a freshman sitting in the registration hall. Most people simply like to sit down and feel like an old customer when they go out to eat - "Yes, I know your beer sampler is a great deal." When you sit down at a Friday's in Ukraine (yeah they do have one there!), you can expect them to have baby back ribs and at least one draft beer.

The last one is similar to what some folks have said here - but the idea that you want to be familiar with the menu or feel like you are "known" - sort of like Norm sitting down for a drink at Cheers - is a far more complex emotion set than just not wanting to try new things.

I live in west LA and enjoy having so many unique restaurants around - end up at one almost every night of the week for a work dinner. When I travel, my wife and I turn into foodies and search out the best meals we can find. But when have a reason to travel to the outer limits of LA, we are as likely to end up at a chain restaurant as a local place. To a certain degree we miss the chain experience in our usual dining experiences, and there are some amazing food creations out there (i.e. my wife loves the fried shrimp and cheezy rolls at Red Lobster, and who really can turn down a Pizookie at BJ's?).

Another example - I was just in Barcelona, with great dining experiences waiting for visitors around every block. The busiest place was the Hard Rock Cafe, and it was mostly filled with Europeans. Is it because all these Europeans are unenlightened? Or was it because they wanted an experience in addition to their food or they interpreted what Hard Rock offers as good value? Probably the latter. Or like us, were they ready for a good old fashioned burger or fajita after several days of desconstructed new wave expensive food - some of which was amazing, but a fair amount of it I would trade for a chain meal any day.

Why does every meal have to be a dining experience? Sometimes, you just need nourishment. Especially when travelling, being able to predict what I'm going to eat is very comforting. I sometimes eat alone, so being able to read a book and eat familiar food makes the end of the day bearable. Or sometimes, a chain is the only thing still open at 9 or 10 or 11 pm when I'm finally getting around to dinner.

Why does every meal have to be a dining experience? Sometimes, you just need nourishment. Especially when travelling, being able to predict what I'm going to eat is very comforting. I sometimes eat alone, so being able to read a book and eat familiar food makes the end of the day bearable. Or sometimes, a chain is the only thing still open at 9 or 10 or 11 pm when I'm finally getting around to dinner.

You nailed it quite nicely. I rarely dine at any chain near where I live but will eat at selected chains when on the road about 30%-40% of the time excluding breakfast which is usually at my hotel (free thanks to thanks HH ). I go to the mid-priced chains and always avoid the low and high priced chains.

MisterNice

You nailed it quite nicely. I rarely dine at any chain near where I live but will eat at selected chains when on the road about 30%-40% of the time excluding breakfast which is usually at my hotel (free thanks to thanks HH ). I go to the mid-priced chains and always avoid the low and high priced chains.
-Why does every meal have to be a dining experience? Sometimes, you just need nourishment. Especially when travelling, being able to predict what I'm going to eat is very comforting. I sometimes eat alone, so being able to read a book and eat familiar food makes the end of the day bearable. Or sometimes, a chain is the only thing still open at 9 or 10 or 11 pm when I'm finally getting around to dinner.

+1
Also, if you are in the 16-23 age range or are traveling with them, it's a place to hang and eat with or without the parents. In college you're gonna go to Applebees and not seek out a finer dining establishment.

I guess the kebab shops scattered all across Europe are not considered when speaking of how enlightened dining is there. I resent these explanations that Americans are somehow simple because we have chain restaurants. There is junk food in every developed country I have been to and most undeveloped ones as well.

The difference is that kebab shops = McDonalds and other fast food. They serve a need late at night, when drunk, or where there is no other option (Chisinau, Moldova 5 years springs to mind).

The OP's point - and it is a really interesting one - is that there is major chain middle market dining segment which doesn't really exists in the same way in Europe or Asia.

The OP's point - and it is a really interesting one - is that there is major chain middle market dining segment which doesn't really exists in the same way in Europe or Asia.

It's not much, but I was amused to see a French chain called "Buffalo Grill" in Ferney-Voltaire. Over 300 restaurants, mostly in France with a handful in Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Similar ambiance to Outback. The buffalo steak was tough as old boots. :(
http://www.buffalo-grill.fr/ (In French.)
Granted, it's only one example, so I think your conclusion is right.

Isn't the UK going this way too, though? In London and perhaps the larger cities, then yes, you do get the chains, but they are just another option among many. For the rest of the country, though, you can expect a selection from Pizza Express, Strada, Ask, La Tasca, Frankie & Benny's, Prezzo, Harry Ramsden's, Old Orleans, Nando's, Aroma, Caffe Uno, Cafe Pasta, Cafe Rouge, Chez Gerard, Loch Fyne, Chiquitos...

Fair point stut. I think going that way is fair - thanks in large part to those horrible drive up retail parks which seem to have at least one chain - but even taking my hometown in the South there are still more local dining options than chains on the High street.

It seems to depend on the location, I think. Those with established restaurants seem to keep an independent ethos, whereas those that never had much in the way of eating out (chippy or Berni Inn being the only options for years) seem to be grateful to receive the chains. Where I live has only one chain, the others being entrenched independents. Go down the road to Stevenage, and it's exclusively chains, go across to Cambridge and it's a healthy mix.

One thing is interesting in the UK, though, and that's that there's very little in the way of Indian (or Pakistani/Bangladeshi) chain food (other than Wetherspoons curry night ;)) - I'm not sure what's behind that, exactly. Italian food, however, is hugely bechained.

One thing is interesting in the UK, though, and that's that there's very little in the way of Indian (or Pakistani/Bangladeshi) chain food (other than Wetherspoons curry night ;)) - I'm not sure what's behind that, exactly. Italian food, however, is hugely bechained.

My hunch is that as immgrant communities move through the generations they step away from jobs like catering and move up the ladder. 20 years ago I am reliably informed there were independent Italian restaurants pretty much everywhere. Now, the Italian community has been in the UK for quite a while 50+ years, there are more job opportunities and later generations have opted for something else. Something similar has happened with many Indian/Pakistani families but immgiration from Bangledesh has kept the restaurant stock topped up.

Now, off to my thesis on immigration! ;)

No-one has yet mentioned the property angle. Imagine you are a landlord opening a new building with a restaurant on ground level - would you rather have a blue-chip tenant who you know will pay the rent, or a mom-and-pop operation? Its a no-brainer for a landlord. Equally, buying a lease on an existing property can require a huge lease premium to be paid up front which will be out of reach of most small operators.

And perhaps I missed it, but has anyone mentioned the sanitary angle? If it's a chain restaurant, people know (or at least believe) they are being held to a certain franchise standard. That may turn some people away from the local places.

I love trying the local stuff. That's one reason I like traveling - trying new places. It's about the only time I can get my husband to try something non-chain or unknown, too - for many of the above reasons. However, we are pretty good about trying new Indian or Chinese places, even new Italian places. Our favorite restaurant in Gainesville is a little locally-owned Italian place called Pomodoro's. Much better than, say, Olive Garden or Carrabas :)

... go across to Cambridge and it's a healthy mix.

One thing is interesting in the UK, though, and that's that there's very little in the way of Indian (or Pakistani/Bangladeshi) chain food (other than Wetherspoons curry night ;)) - I'm not sure what's behind that, exactly. Italian food, however, is hugely bechained.

That takes me back. The 'Three Horseshoes' restaurant in Madingley was one of my favorite restaurants when I lived in Cambridge.

Here in small town Germany many if not most of the restaurants are mom and pop places with the owners living above and the entire family working in the restaurant. You'll sometimes get crap, but once in awhile you find some place really special. One of my favorite steak restaurants in the world just happens to be an hour away and is Polish owned and operated.

I guess there is something to be said for the consistentcy that many of the chains provide. I eat in them when I want something fast while stateside. When I want something better I get on the internet and start doing research.

And perhaps I missed it, but has anyone mentioned the sanitary angle? If it's a chain restaurant, people know (or at least believe) they are being held to a certain franchise standard. That may turn some people away from the local places.

I can't speak for elsewhere, but here in the UK, there's a Scores on the Doors (http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/) scheme, where local authority hygiene ratings are prominently displayed on restaurants. I'm perenially surprised at how poorly some of the chain places do...

Isn't the UK going this way too, though? In London and perhaps the larger cities, then yes, you do get the chains, but they are just another option among many. For the rest of the country, though, you can expect a selection from Pizza Express, Strada, Ask, La Tasca, Frankie & Benny's, Prezzo, Harry Ramsden's, Old Orleans, Nando's, Aroma, Caffe Uno, Cafe Pasta, Cafe Rouge, Chez Gerard, Loch Fyne, Chiquitos...

On it's way but oh so far to go.

UK (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_restaurant_chains#United_Kingdom) v USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_restaurant_chains_in_the_United_States)

I don't think Europeans (or Australians) are any more "adventurous" outside of big cities than Americans (drive to any Australian country town and I can guarantee the local RSL Club with have a Chinese restaurant with a name like Jade/Lotus/Peacock/Mermaid Garden), but IME in Europe decent food can be had in non-chains for cheaper than chain prices whereas in the US the reverse tends to be true. Also portion sizes don't tend to be as important in many European countries.

I also think chains, in the UK at least, do a very good job of hiding the fact they are a chain. Sort of like this (http://www.london-se1.co.uk/restaurants/images/061104_caferouge.jpg) v this (http://www.wylietoday.com/images/arbys_1000w.jpg).


One thing is interesting in the UK, though, and that's that there's very little in the way of Indian (or Pakistani/Bangladeshi) chain food (other than Wetherspoons curry night ) - I'm not sure what's behind that, exactly. Italian food, however, is hugely bechained.

It could just be that some cuisines are more easily detuned for a mass market. Anything with lots of cheese always works well, hence tex-mex, pizza etc. Stewey type food, which is very much what curries are, never seem to do that well.

One of my favorite steak restaurants in the world just happens to be an hour away and is Polish owned and operated.

Slightly OT, but I was pretty impressed by the quality of meat available in Poland. I was there on and off for about 4 or 5 months for work. The steaks were cheap and the quality was much better than I imagined.

It could just be that some cuisines are more easily detuned for a mass market. Anything with lots of cheese always works well, hence tex-mex, pizza etc. Stewey type food, which is very much what curries are, never seem to do that well.

Curry can certainly work well in a mass market. This is the UK, remember - even towns that can't manage to keep a shop, post office or pub going can boast an 'Indian' takeaway or restaurant. My little town of 15,000 can boast 2 restaurants and 3 takeaways - neighbouring villages have even more (including the legendary "The Gandhi, Sandy"). Every local shop and supermarket stocks entire shelves of microwaveable curries. The Tesco's up the road stocks frozen dosai and kulfi - and this is barely part of the country you'd call multicultural.

I think there's definitely something in what Swanhunter says. There are some 'brands' that are spreading through the country (Mumtaz, Café Naz, Tiffinbites, Masala Zone) but most of the chains that exist tend to be local operations where a successful, independent place manages to expand to a couple of neighbouring towns.

Iof Does anybody think Italians eat the stuff Olive Garden serves for Sunday dinner?

Definitely NO, italians dont't eat mussels with garlic butter and that other stuff.

Within 50 miles from home, I rarely eat at a sit down chain, the exceptions being 3-4x/year at Cheesecake Factory with my parents, and once or twice a year at Capital Grille and/or McCormick and Schmick's. And those are all chains where I would eat on the road as well, if I had a taste for that particular style of food.

For work travel, in places where I go infrequently or it's a smaler town, I'll settle for an Outback or Ruby Tuesday. For one dinner, the ROI on the time investment of finding a local place and having the local place actually be better is not worth it. Let's face it, a grilled chicken sandwich and an order of french fries is not that much different from Ruby Tuesday or the local diner. Add in the risk of the diner not moving their inventory fast enough, and Ruby Tuesday is fine.

But if it's a city where I'll be returning multiple times over the course of a couple of years, or one of the ten largest cities, I'll find something local.

Well I don't mind holding my hand up and saying I always get a pretty good steak at Longhorn. Yes, i've had better, but equally i've had a lot worse for double the money.

I agree with the poster who said that not all dining has to be an experience. In our household eating out is often a spur of the moment thing. I don't need it to be complicated too. We have several non-chain local restaurants, almost all ethnic, that we frequent when we are in the mood.

Another factor is that for some of the nicer places there is some planning involved. I need to dress accordingly and probably need reservations too.

Some of the best places that I have eaten are little places that only the locals know. The locals would prefer that it stays that way.

ill take the snob title over boring anyday :D

+1!

Lots of good points here, I was astonished to learn a couple of years ago how many "local" restaurants are buying prepared meals from distributors like SYSCO and just re-heating them. Since then I've developed a pretty good radar for the types of places that serve "microwaved meals".

There is still great regional food available in the US, and to me it is worth the effort to seek it out.

And I disagree with you, harper99, I think it does make me more interesting. When I come home, which story would my wife prefer to hear:
a) how I ate a plate of chicken and pasta at Olive Garden or
b) about the local BBQ place that doesn't even have a sign to identify it and makes the best hand-cut Vidalia onion rings I have ever tasted?

Add to this list Pizza Hut in Chicago. I utterly fail to understand how they survive in this market.

2nd time you've expressed this. Walk into one and ask the customers why they eat there...(IF you want the answer.)

The answer to the above question is one I figured out many years ago. The way to make a billion dollars in the USA is to be "consistently mediocre". This is one of the natural laws I have named after myself, The Jones Law of Consistent Mediocrity

Chain restaurants, Budweiser, etc, thrive on the fact that you risk practically nothing in consuming their products. The unfortunate side effect is that you will also never have a memorable positive experience, either.

The unfortunate side effect is that you will also never have a memorable positive experience, either.

May I suggest dropping a shot of Cabin Still Bourbon in your Bud if you want a positive memorable experience? :D

Earlier this year, my doctor put me on a fairly restricted diet. I can go to Chili's because I already know what's on the menu, and I know that there are things I can eat.

When not dining alone, I'm dining with a group. So then we need a place where we can go for someone who doesn't eat chicken, someone who can't eat fried foods, someone who is allergic to seafood, picky eaters who need to re-arrange all the side dishes that come with the meal, etc. etc.

You don't have to consider chain restaurants as "fine dining" if you don't want to, but they do serve a purpose.

There are also those of us who don't have a relationship with food. I can visit lots of places in my travels, but if I never get down the local level of dining, I just don't care. My travelling isn't about food.

The answer to the above question is one I figured out many years ago. The way to make a billion dollars in the USA is to be "consistently mediocre". This is one of the natural laws I have named after myself, The Jones Law of Consistent Mediocrity

Chain restaurants, Budweiser, etc, thrive on the fact that you risk practically nothing in consuming their products. The unfortunate side effect is that you will also never have a memorable positive experience, either.

^

The great thing about the US though is that you have so many choices. If you want mediocre food fast, you got it. If you want great food you can find that also.

In the interest of fairness I should add that during my last trip stateside I ate at a Pizza Hut buffet lunch for $4.99, and it wasn't bad at all...
That is the kind of value meal that would be unheard of here in Europe for that price. I also ate at Capitol Grille and was disappointed, so go figure..

The answer to the above question is one I figured out many years ago. The way to make a billion dollars in the USA is to be "consistently mediocre". This is one of the natural laws I have named after myself, The Jones Law of Consistent Mediocrity. Chain restaurants, Budweiser, etc, thrive on the fact that you risk practically nothing in consuming their products. The unfortunate side effect is that you will also never have a memorable positive experience, either.

I mostly agree. Chains mostly eliminate the lows and the highs but overall I see nothing wrong with that. I ger a kick out of hearing people saying they had a great meal at a high priced steak place not aware it was a high priced chain.

MisterNice

My parents live in suburban Dayton, Ohio and for the most part, it is just chain restaurant after chain restaurant there. It gets to a point that when I'm visiting, I sometimes have difficultly telling which is which as some of the chains are regional.


Dayton (really, the Columbus-Dayton area) is a huge test market for restaurant chains. Other big test markets are Dallas and Minneapolis.

I have just enough of a background with the restaurant business to be dangerous. There are a number of reasons that chains do so well in the US and no single explanation explains everything. But among the reasons that chains work so well here:

*Suburban growth and a driving culture. We're spread out and chains thrive on having lots of space.

*Time constraints. Two-income families mean that Americans have less time, meaning that we need fast service and consistency, since most families don't want to "risk" a bad meal when time is limited.

*Chains beget chains. Since most chains are owned by public companies who are able to leverage food costs, each extra restaurant you own lowers your cost, allowing you to outspend your competition.

*Friendly franchise laws. Many of the chains allow their restaurants to be franchised, meaning that they grow without investing their own cash.

*Branding. Americans like brands. It's one of the reasons that private label doesn't represent as high a share in supermarkets here as it does abroad (the other being that there are far more supermarket chains here than abroad).

We're really not a more "boring" culture than others and international growth has been a big opportunity for chains. Sorry about that McDonalds in the Louvre, Paris.

Mike

Lots of food snobs here I see.

You are not 'better' or 'more interesting' because of your diet...I assure you.

"boring"..."uneducated"...give me a break.

harper99, I agree 100%

I have lived (and dined) all over the world and eaten in many many "fine dining" restaurants. BUT ... I really enjoy the Saltgrass Steakhouse chain and if we want a decent and reasonably priced meal where we know we'll get good service and food that we enjoy we'll go to Chilis. Not to mention the Texas Roadhouse where I had an excellent, unpretentious, well priced, well cooked steak last week!
Shock horror!!

My thoughts are echoed in other posts. Chain dining offers continuity and, in general, dependability. As much as I like to try "local fare" when traveling, if, in a pinch, I just want something that I know and like, I'll search out a chain restaurant. Similarly, at home, while I certainly have favorite local establishments, if we're dining with the kids, we often go to a chain restaurant because we know what to expect in terms of menu, service, and price. The kids aren't picky eaters, but it's usually more cost-effective to take them to a chain for their typical preferences than to go to a local sit-down place. However, we've been to plenty of local joints that treat us like "family" as opposed to the chains where we're just another patron. Really, though, I think it boils down to familiarity. A chain store is essentially going to be the same from NY to FL to CA and points in between.

There are also those of us who don't have a relationship with food. I can visit lots of places in my travels, but if I never get down the local level of dining, I just don't care. My travelling isn't about food.

This is obviously the difference. I have a very strong relationship with food. I raise my own pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. I have a 1/2 acre garden and a 3 acre orchard. I can and preserve fruits and vegetables for when they aren't in season. I buy my beef from my neighbor. What I eat is important to me.

When I am travelling, it is usually for work. So I am staying at the same hotels, renting the same cars, seeing the same factories. The only element that changes is my meals, so why eat at something like Applebee's? The same thinking applies on leisure vacations, why in god's name would I eat dinner at a restaurant I can find back home? I am travelling to discover new things!

I realize the above could be misconstrued, so let me say that I understand the motivation to find something familiar when you are away from home, and I am in no way saying that I am more sophisticated or better than anyone else. It is simply a matter of choice and personal preference. I don't eat at chain restaurants in my hometown, either, so there is no sense of familiarity associated with them for me. In fact, we rarely dine out or pick up dinner at any type of restaurant when we're at home, so I do not have the same number of opportunities to eat at chain restaurants that many people do.

Several reasons. America is a growing, young country. That means that many of the new restaurants are new buildings in new areas and the franchises have people who's sold job is scouting such locations. They select the locations very well and have the capital to move where they will be successful no matter what.

The chains from America have always been strong (look at the success of McDonald's, etc) and they just drive their product and grow.

Modern America is a young country and people here are relatively an uncultured lot. Were you to serve 98% of the people a typical Italian breakfast, they ask why the coffee was so small and strong and why the pastry was so small. People are happy here with chain food. Most people don't know/care what confit is. We talk about chefs in the kitchen here, but often they're just cooks or people working part time. There's not the same dining culture as in other parts of the world.

Americans are also busier than Europeans. Less time off, longer days and less time to eat. As a result, we're used to Corn Flakes every morning, crap for lunch and whatever you can put together in the limited time you have for dinner.

you always know what you get consistency is the key

While in Monterey, CA last week, we went to the Black Bear Diner. This seems to be a chain restaurant with many locations in the northwest US. But we don't have them in Houston, so does it count as eating at a chain, or eating a local place? How about if someone from Monterey goes to Atlanta and eats at the Cracker Barrel?

And perhaps I missed it, but has anyone mentioned the sanitary angle? If it's a chain restaurant, people know (or at least believe) they are being held to a certain franchise standard. That may turn some people away from the local places.

The issues that Jack in the Box and Chi-Chi’s had would seem to prove otherwise. But there’s been some filthy mom and pop restaurants where I’ve had great meals. :D

While in Monterey, CA last week, we went to the Black Bear Diner. This seems to be a chain restaurant with many locations in the northwest US. But we don't have them in Houston, so does it count as eating at a chain, or eating a local place? How about if someone from Monterey goes to Atlanta and eats at the Cracker Barrel?

Just because a certain chain restaurant doesn't exist in your area doesn't mean that it's magically not a chain restaurant still.

However, I can understand going to a chain that doesn't exist in your area as opposed to something that's right around the corner from where you live. I mean, doesn't everyone here rave about In-N-Out Burger?

As an owner/operator of chain restauraunts, not only is consistency key, there are economy of scales, better pricing, buying, advertising. If you have a change you can build the brand, for example McDonalds is the leader, they have a standard that is recognized by everyone. Put one up internatioally, and there is instant recognition. I would agree that QVSC is higher in chains, than independents. Sometimes, the independents do have better food, as they are owner-operated and have specialties.

Interesting thread. I've also wondered why Olive Garden seems to be backed most nights. We ate there recently because I had a gift certificate. The food wasn't horrible tasting but it was packed with preservatives or food additives (who knows what?!) and gave me a horrible tummy ache. I've had the same problem with Outback, Applebees and other chains in the past.

I guess I wouldn't mind chains if I thought they were serving healthy food.

Deb

Lots of food snobs here I see.

You are not 'better' or 'more interesting' because of your diet...I assure you.

"boring"..."uneducated"...give me a break.

Boy, are you right about this.

I'm not a huge fan of chain restaurants, either, but the condescending tone and arrogance on this thread is breathtaking.

Oh man >.< This reminds of the time I lived off mcdonalds in Hong Kong because the canteen food sucked(well okay I ate every single thing and got tired) and I didn't want to risk any local restaurants because, one I couldn't read the menu and didn't want to end up with something I couldn't eat on my limited budget. The one time I looked up a local Indian restaurant, I way overspent and I wasn't that happy with it. The only way I like to try new restaurants is if someone brings me there, and then I'm happy to foot the bill(regardless of cost.. haha okay the language barrier is A HUGE issue)

In japan, we just wanted to go into any restaurant we could find that fit into our price range/ just find a place to eat. There are lots of chain restaurants there as well(MOS Burger! rice burgers yum! I had in HK again the shame) but we found all the hole in the wall places(except for MOS Burger cause man, getting lost in Kyoto and walking for 2 hours past where I wanted to go, this is was the only cheap thing on the main shopping strip)

I'm still trying to figure out the good restaurants in Chicago(in our price budget which is actually pretty hard for $15 and below per person), and I've lived here for 15 years(okay I'm 22, but still).

As for pizzahut, it's cheap and easy. The local pizza place sometimes is more expensive and tastes about the same. However, I do think Unos and Girdanos are chains, and people accept those chains? It's always packed(Unos more so). These are sit down restaurants, albeit more in the Midwest, Uno was in Baltimore.

Del Frisco's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's and The Capital Grille are technically chains....

...and some major areas have local steakhouses that put the two I've tried (Ruth's Chris and Morton's) to shame: Keens in NYC (I've not tried Peter Luger, although I'd like to) and Harris' in San Francisco, to name two.

The issues that Jack in the Box and Chi-Chi’s had would seem to prove otherwise. But there’s been some filthy mom and pop restaurants where I’ve had great meals. :D

A 20/20 report about 4 years ago actually listed the chains as the most unsanitary type of restraunt, with Chilis and Applebees at the top of the list for violations. Claim Jumper's was also pretty horrible.

The cleanest were some of the fast food chains...Mcdonalds in particular. The food is utter garbage, but the assembly line-like production methods and robotic procedures made it very clean.

Mom'n pop is a crapshoot..but they have more at stake as well. Chilis can afford to temporarily shut down 3 of it's 15,000 locations, Mom and pop cannot afford to close down their one location.

Your best bet is to eat from the supermarket.

Your best bet is to eat from the supermarket.

By that, do you mean buy your food there and cook it yourself at home? I have lived in several places where the local Food Lion or Winn Dixie consistently gets low health department grades - their deli, bakery and salad bars being the prime offenders.

By that, do you mean buy your food there and cook it yourself at home? I have lived in several places where the local Food Lion or Winn Dixie consistently gets low health department grades - their deli, bakery and salad bars being the prime offenders.

Not sure when you have last been in the supermarket....but there are prepared foods. Frozen foods. Cooked foods. Dry goods. Most manufactured foods there are not prepped in the supermarket but in factories, slightly less biologically hazardous than cooklines in chain restraunts.

Not to mention microwaves in hotels. Sometimes kitchenettes

Not sure when you have last been in the supermarket....but there are prepared foods. Frozen foods. Cooked foods. Dry goods. Most manufactured foods there are not prepped in the supermarket but in factories, slightly less biologically hazardous than cooklines in chain restraunts.

Not to mention microwaves in hotels. Sometimes kitchenettes

Well, I usually send the help .... :D

I don't understand peoples problem with chain restaurants. You hear this all the time but the quality is usually decent, they are generally locally owned and employ a lot of people, and the prices are reasonable.