R&I’s 2007 Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards: Buffet/Cafeteria

Special Report: R&I’s 2007 Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards

By Staff -- Restaurants & Institutions, 9/15/2007

Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
Headquarters: San Diego
CEO: Michael Mack
Units: 100
Average check: $8.26
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 131
Respondents aware of chain: 13%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 4%
STRENGTHS: Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes is appealing most successfully to 26-and-younger consumers. Hispanics’ patronage score is above-average. Men rate its food quality slightly higher than do women; scores from both are category bests.
WEAKNESS: Millennials are coming to the chain, but only 64% of customers in this demographic say they plan to return.

Golden Corral
Headquarters: Raleigh, N.C.
President-CEO: Ted Fowler
Units: 478
Average check: $8.30
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 33
Respondents aware of chain: 55%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 17%
STRENGTHS: In the South, 31% have been to Golden Corral in the past year. Matures are the chain’s strongest demographic as far as patronage, but Golden Corral does well across all age groups. Men give the chain an especially strong rating on menu variety, as do families with older children.
WEAKNESS: Older diners aren’t as pleased with the atmosphere as younger customers are.

Ryan’s
Headquarters: Eagan, Minn.
President: R. Michael Andrews Jr.
Units: 333
Average check: Not available
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 50
Respondents aware of chain: 24%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 6%
STRENGTHS: Who says the cafeteria/buffet category is stodgy? Customers ages 26 or younger give Ryan’s its highest return-intent score. These customers also give Ryan’s its strongest rating for menu variety and food quality. Families with children give the chain an above-average value rating.
WEAKNESS: Its patronage level by Hispanic consumers is comparatively low.

How Buffet/Cafeteria Chains Stack Up With Consumers