Why are chain restaurants so popular in the US?
Sep 9, 2011, 7:49 pm
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Pretty simple, Americans drive more.
Chain restaurants thrive off giving you something you know when you are in a place you do not. American's are far more likely to drive 20-30 minutes to a strip mall or a movie theater, or whatever else. That is where all the chain restaurants are - along routes to WalMart, right off the interstate, etc. They are generally not in the downtown business area where people will be more knowledgeable about their food choices (not that they don't exist there ever, just less often).
It is not because Americans are "cowards", but because we put ourselves in unfamiliar places more than others.
Chain restaurants thrive off giving you something you know when you are in a place you do not. American's are far more likely to drive 20-30 minutes to a strip mall or a movie theater, or whatever else. That is where all the chain restaurants are - along routes to WalMart, right off the interstate, etc. They are generally not in the downtown business area where people will be more knowledgeable about their food choices (not that they don't exist there ever, just less often).
It is not because Americans are "cowards", but because we put ourselves in unfamiliar places more than others.
its almost therapeutic to be one with the vehicle, and having the freedom to go where Americans want to go..
Sep 9, 2011, 8:03 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,778
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?
Sep 9, 2011, 8:19 pm
#108
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 31
Not everyone lives and travels for food. I'm usually just as happy with a basic meal as a gourmet one, so it doesnt bother me.
Also, depending on the country, some of the food is pretty awful, especially to a lifetime of developed western tastebuds.
Also, depending on the country, some of the food is pretty awful, especially to a lifetime of developed western tastebuds.
Sep 9, 2011, 9:10 pm
#109
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Get food in tummy.. be satisfied..
Sep 9, 2011, 10:39 pm
#110
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
I don't think driving is really part of the equation. One can probably find a non-chain restaurant with equal or better quality closer to one's home.
How unfamiliar can things be with a 20-30 minute drive from one's home?
I don't think driving 20-30 minutes constitutes putting yourself in an unfamiliar place.
I don't think driving 20-30 minutes constitutes putting yourself in an unfamiliar place.
Sep 10, 2011, 9:42 am
#111
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Driving a half an hour to get somewhere, talking to
Americans, is part of accepted everyday life.
Americans, is part of accepted everyday life.
flight attendants, was part of accepted everyday life.
Sep 10, 2011, 10:31 am
#112
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,714
(bolding mine) And for those folks who fly, it becomes even more special - just get in the car and go, no security checks (well, unless you are on certain stretches of highway in the southwest or unless you encounter a VIPR action).
Sep 10, 2011, 10:37 am
#113
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,714
Predictability is the real attraction for me. A couple examples: I've landed, picked up the car, hungry and I have a lot of driving ahead. I'll grab a Quizno's. It isn't great, but I know what to expect.
In cities I'm not particularly familiar with, somewhere like CPK will do - they have great salads, I'm a salad junkie, they are consistent and reliable.
Sep 10, 2011, 3:17 pm
#114
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
That is why when the plane is delayed, I'm not too disheartened.. the miracle of flying gets us there faster, even with delays..
Oct 11, 2011, 5:00 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: London, England
Posts: 366
When traveling by car in the US, the whole franchise/chain restaurant thing does drive me nuts sometimes. I used to just think I could head into a town and I'd find a diner (love them) or at least a reasonable restaurant or bar. However, often there's nothing in the town anymore, it's all just avenues of franchises on the outskirts near the highway.
Now I tend to look on Yelp or sometimes even on my GPS and just type in 'diner' or something. Sometimes I've gone well out of my way to find somewhere decent. It's becoming less of a problem now though as Yelp and similar websites get more and more content.
Now I tend to look on Yelp or sometimes even on my GPS and just type in 'diner' or something. Sometimes I've gone well out of my way to find somewhere decent. It's becoming less of a problem now though as Yelp and similar websites get more and more content.
Oct 11, 2011, 8:03 pm
#116
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
When traveling by car in the US, the whole franchise/chain restaurant thing does drive me nuts sometimes. I used to just think I could head into a town and I'd find a diner (love them) or at least a reasonable restaurant or bar. However, often there's nothing in the town anymore, it's all just avenues of franchises on the outskirts near the highway.
Now I tend to look on Yelp or sometimes even on my GPS and just type in 'diner' or something. Sometimes I've gone well out of my way to find somewhere decent. It's becoming less of a problem now though as Yelp and similar websites get more and more content.
Now I tend to look on Yelp or sometimes even on my GPS and just type in 'diner' or something. Sometimes I've gone well out of my way to find somewhere decent. It's becoming less of a problem now though as Yelp and similar websites get more and more content.
That is why franchises jump out and catches the eye.. uh.. Denny's.. I can get a grand slam, or Red Lobster, Olive Garden.. menu is familiar..
Joes' Diner.. hardly any vehicles out front.. gee, I dunno..
Oct 12, 2011, 11:53 am
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
Local diners and restaurants are not hard to find imo.. just that when we do end up finding one, we are not familiar with menu, prices, food selection, and quality..
That is why franchises jump out and catches the eye.. uh.. Denny's.. I can get a grand slam, or Red Lobster, Olive Garden.. menu is familiar..
Joes' Diner.. hardly any vehicles out front.. gee, I dunno..
That is why franchises jump out and catches the eye.. uh.. Denny's.. I can get a grand slam, or Red Lobster, Olive Garden.. menu is familiar..
Joes' Diner.. hardly any vehicles out front.. gee, I dunno..
Oct 12, 2011, 12:02 pm
#118
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,229
Chains provide a certain amount of reliable uniformity, and thus predictability. That can save time and aggravation. Determining whether a non-chain establishment is a dive or gourmet heaven generally requires more research and time.
Here's a perfect example, even in Europe. About 10 years ago I arrived in Palermo, Italy from Bologna on an overnight train that pulled in about 2pm. There was no diner on the train. After checking in to my hotel, I looked around for a place to eat. It was a Sunday. Nothing appeared to be open in the central city. Then, I discovered a McDonalds, and it was open. Life would go on, after all. I was elated with the American business model.
Here's a perfect example, even in Europe. About 10 years ago I arrived in Palermo, Italy from Bologna on an overnight train that pulled in about 2pm. There was no diner on the train. After checking in to my hotel, I looked around for a place to eat. It was a Sunday. Nothing appeared to be open in the central city. Then, I discovered a McDonalds, and it was open. Life would go on, after all. I was elated with the American business model.
Oct 12, 2011, 12:05 pm
#119
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,061
Local diners and restaurants are not hard to find imo.. just that when we do end up finding one, we are not familiar with menu, prices, food selection, and quality..
That is why franchises jump out and catches the eye.. uh.. Denny's.. I can get a grand slam, or Red Lobster, Olive Garden.. menu is familiar..
Joes' Diner.. hardly any vehicles out front.. gee, I dunno..
That is why franchises jump out and catches the eye.. uh.. Denny's.. I can get a grand slam, or Red Lobster, Olive Garden.. menu is familiar..
Joes' Diner.. hardly any vehicles out front.. gee, I dunno..
If a local diner or restaurant doesn't have many patrons at what should be a busy time, I'm likely to not frequent it, figuring that if the locals won't eat there, I don't want to eat there either.
I guess that is the bit I hate most, the fact I know the menu before even picking it up - and in most cases, every chain has a variation on the same items, I'd feel pretty safe ordering a spinich dip to start, and a burger for main in almost any of the chains around here without even picking up the menu. I like seeing new and unusual items - and the chains all seem to go safe and middle of the road.
Oct 12, 2011, 1:19 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Then you were at the wrong place. The Cheesecake Factory in White Plains is NOT in the Westchester Mall. It's in the same building as Whole Foods, Dick's Sporting Goods and a regional chain furniture store.