Originally Posted by
stut
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...
When I was in Hampshire County in August, my host was rather particular about the Pub where we would eat. He indicated that now in the UK, much of the Pub food (at many independent and brewery-owned Pubs) comes pre-made from Food Service Corporations (similar to Sysco or Sodexho in the US).