2008 Consumers' Choice in Chains: Votes of Confidence
No matter where they eat, cash-pinched consumers expect more than ever when dining out. Find out which chains they say truly deliver.
By Allison Perlik -- Restaurants & Institutions, September 15, 2008
Profit margins aren’t all that’s squeezed tight in a tough economy. Consumer expectations for restaurant experiences are soaring as they look to reap maximum pleasure from discretionary dollars. This, in turn, causes operators’ margins for error to shrink, too. In this high-stakes environment, votes of approval for 2008 Consumers’ Choice in Chains winners resound even louder.
For the past 28 years, R&I has asked consumers to rate the country’s largest chains on eight attributes—food quality, menu variety, atmosphere, convenience, cleanliness, service, value and reputation. These qualities matter even in the best of times and are magnified in challenging business environments. For the 2008 survey, more than 3,100 consumers shared their feedback on 210 chains and singled out the standard-bearers in 13 categories.
Among the winners—both new faces and returning favorites—it’s worth noting that several of the brands consumers deem most worthy are those with long track records. San Diego-based Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes and Calabasas Hills, Calif.-based The Cheesecake Factory celebrate 30th anniversaries this year, while Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang’s China Bistro marks 15 years in business. Setting the bar even higher for long-term success are Irvine, Calif.-based In-N-Out Burger; Mission Viejo, Calif.-based Marie Callender’s; Columbus, Ohio-based Bob Evans; and Houston-based Luby’s, all of which have welcomed customers for 60 amazing years.
These milestones—both of longevity and quality—serve as a reminder that solid, long-lasting relationships built between operators and consumers are worth celebrating.
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