R&I’s 2007 Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards: Family Dining 

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

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

Cracker Barrel
Headquarters: Lebanon, Tenn.
CEO: Michael Woodhouse
Units: 562
Average check: $8.17
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 31
Respondents aware of chain: 71%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 23%
STRENGTHS: What is more important in family dining than the opinion of families? Among Cracker Barrel’s customers with children, 94% are planning to visit again. Millennials are strong supporters, giving the chain its highest marks for several attributes, including atmosphere, service and food quality.
WEAKNESS: Men rate service lower than do women.

Bob Evans
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Chairman-CEO: Roger Williams
Units: 581
Average check: $19.00
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 38 Respondents aware of chain: 50%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 11%
STRENGTHS: Bob Evans scores well on value with all of its customers, but African- American diners rate it highest on this attribute. Customers ages 26 or younger give it the highest rating for food quality. Hispanic customers show the highest return-intent score.
WEAKNESS: Male customers consistently give Bob Evans higher ratings than do women.

Mimi’s
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
President: Daniel Dillon
Units: 132
Average check: $19.00
R&I Top 400 Chains rank: 99
Respondents aware of chain: 13%
Respondents who visited in previous 12 months: 4%
STRENGTHS: The Western-states regional chain has built a loyal following, with 88% of customers expecting to return. Intent rises to 91% among customers ages 61 or older. Mimi’s ties for category leadership on menu variety with the help of a high rating (85% giving it a 4 or 5) from baby boomers.
WEAKNESS: Middle-aged customers give Mimi’s only a mid-scale value rating.

How Family-Dining Chains Stack Up With Consumers