Admit it: You’ve been eagerly awaiting R&I’s 3rd Annual Top 400 Quiz. Perhaps you were caught off-guard and stumped in 2006 but were sharper last year. Now you’re ready to score better than you did on your SATs way back when. If you draw a blank on a few or just aren’t sure whether you’re correct, all the answers can be found at the end of the story.

1 Barack and Michelle Obama’s first kiss was at which Top 400 chain?

2 According to the National Enquirer, actress Nicole Kidman threw a fit when her husband, country singer Keith Urban, took her to lunch at which Top 400 chain?

3 Match the celebrity with the Top 400 chain at which she once worked:
1. Queen Latifah   a. Dairy Queen
2. Madonna          b. Hot Dog on a Stick
3. Eva Mendes     c. Dunkin’ Donuts
4. Gwen Stefani    d. Burger King

5 Of the 25 chains listed in the Top 400’s Burgers category, only three do not offer milkshakes or similar beverages on their menus. Which are they?

6 What chain claims that its name was inspired by a character in the 1971 film “The French Connection”?

7 What casual-dining chain is regularly featured as the gathering spot of choice for the office mates on NBC’s “The Office”?

8 Which chain in April began offering The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience to visitors to Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens—Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth?

9 Which prominent Republican Party organizer (he managed George H.W. Bush’s successful race for the presidency) was among the original investors in Red Hot & Blue?

10 Donald Trump closed which Top 400 chain’s restaurant in New York City’s The Plaza shortly after he bought the hotel in 1988?

11 Investigative reporting by The New York Times revealed that during 10 months on the campaign trail ending in January 2008, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s staff had spent $1,884.83 at this Top 400 chain. That bests the $923.70 spent at the chain by Sen. John McCain’s camp and Sen. Barack Obama’s $723.64 tab.

12 In 1950, Don Edwards opened the first unit of this chain, which claims to be the first quick-service concept to offer kids’ meals. Name the chain.

13 Which Top 400 chain promoted its “Lucky 3” combo meal as “The Economical Way to Stuff Your Face”?

14 What steak chain’s frequent-diner program is called the Handshake Club?

15 Which casual-dining chain—Chicago-born, but now Boston-based—claims that it uses enough mozzarella cheese in a year to create 4,625 Statues of Liberty?

16 Professional golfer Briny Baird is sponsored by which Top 400 chain (whose logo appears on the band of his hat)?

17 What four U.S. state names are part of Top 400 chain brand names?





ANSWERS

1) Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date was at which Top 400 chain?

Baskin-Robbins

2) According to the National Enquirer, actress Nicole Kidman threw a fit when her husband, country singer Keith Urban, took her to lunch at this Top 400 chain.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

3) Match the celebrity with the Top 400 chain at which she once worked:

1. Queen Latifah             a. Dairy Queen

2. Madonna                    b. Hot Dog On a Stick

3. Eva Mendes                 c. Dunkin’ Donuts

4. Gwen Stefani               d. Burger King

1.-d; 2.-c; 3.-b; 4.-a

4) What famous painter created the cover for McDonald’s Corp.’s 1971 annual report?

Norman Rockwell

5) Of the 25 chains listed in the Top 400’s Burgers category, only three do not offer milk shakes or similar beverages on their menus. Which are they?

White Castle, Checkers/Rally’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries

6) What chain claims that its name was inspired by a character in the 1971 film “The French Connection”?

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits -- Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle

7) What casual-dining chain is regularly featured as the gathering spot of choice for the office mates on NBC’s “The Office”?

Chili’s

8) Which chain in April began offering The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience to visitors to Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens—Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth?

Cold Stone Creamery

9) What prominent Republican Party organizer (he managed George H.W. Bush’s successful race for the presidency) was among the original investors in Red Hot & Blue?

The late Lee Atwater

10) Donald Trump closed which Top 400 chain’s restaurant in New York City’s The Plaza shortly after he bought the hotel in 1988?

Trader Vic’s

11) Investigative reporting by The New York Times revealed that during the 10 months on the campaign trail ending in January 2008, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s staff had spent $1,884.83 at this Top 400 chain. That trumps the $923.70 spent at the chain by Sen. John McCain’s camp and Sen. Barack Obama’s $723.64 tab.

Dunkin’ Donuts

12) In 1950, Don Edwards opened the first unit of this chain, which claims to be the first quick-service concept to offer kids’ meals. Name the chain.

Arctic Circle

13) Which Top 400 chain promoted its “Lucky 3” combo meal as “The Economical Way to Stuff Your Face”?

Bennigan’s

14) What steak chain’s frequent-diner program is called the Handshake Club?

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse

15) Which casual-dining chain—Chicago-born, but now Boston-based—claims that it uses enough mozzarella cheese in a year to create 4,625 Statues of Liberty?

Uno Chicago Grill

16) Professional golfer Briny Baird is sponsored by which Top 400 chain (whose logo appears on the band of his hat)?

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

17) What four U.S. state names are parts of Top 400 chain brand names?

Texas (4), California, Florida, Montana