Favorite restaurant chains

[agentsteel53]

They are generally pretty friendly, but when I say "thank you" and without fail, no matter which employee I am speaking to, I get "My pleasure" back, it creeps me right the hell out.  Are Chick-Fil-A employees not allowed by management to express their own personality? That's not friendly, that's following a script.

what is the business rationale for micromanaging the employees so thoroughly?  I'm a big fan of small places where I can interact with the employees... there's a local pizza place where one of the servers and I always talk about which punk and metal bands are coming through town, and the owner clearly doesn't care even though I don't think he's much into that stuff personally. 

[Takumi]

I'm a big fan of small places where I can interact with the employees... there's a local pizza place where one of the servers and I always talk about which punk and metal bands are coming through town, and the owner clearly doesn't care even though I don't think he's much into that stuff personally. 

Pizza places, and even sit down restaurants in general, be they chains or local, are better for that anyway. Last time I went to Texas de Brazil, we had all kinds of random conversations with the server, but then that's less of a chain than, say, Denny's or Buffalo Wild Wings, the latter of which is usually too loud to have a conversation with the wait staff. I've had plenty of interesting conversations at Denny's over the years, though.

[agentsteel53]

Pizza places, and even sit down restaurants in general, be they chains or local, are better for that anyway. Last time I went to Texas de Brazil, we had all kinds of random conversations with the server, but then that's less of a chain than, say, Denny's or Buffalo Wild Wings, the latter of which is usually too loud to have a conversation with the wait staff. I've had plenty of interesting conversations at Denny's over the years, though.

yep, this is an independent pizza place.  a bit of research (Pizzeria Luigi, San Diego) reveals two locations.

("they have a second location? never knew that!")

[corco]

They are generally pretty friendly, but when I say "thank you" and without fail, no matter which employee I am speaking to, I get "My pleasure" back, it creeps me right the hell out.  Are Chick-Fil-A employees not allowed by management to express their own personality? That's not friendly, that's following a script.

Which is part of what makes Chick-fil-A awesome- you can go there and see how many reflexive "my pleasure"s you can get out of the person taking your order. My record is seven.

[Takumi]

("they have a second location? never knew that!")

Independent pizza places with two locations are usually fantastic. My local favorite, Rosa's, has had two (one in Chester and on in Hopewell) for as long as I can remember. Another good Richmond-area location, Bottoms Up, had two but one closed. One I liked in Greensboro, Elizabeth's, has eight!

[kphoger]

Chick-fil-A rocks.  They just opened one up here in town (OK, there was technically already one on campus, but nobody ever actually went out to eat there), and it's only a few miles from our house.  Their spicy chicken sandwich is actually spicy, which is worth bonus points in my book.  I also wish more places would be closed on Sundays again, so more bonus points (my own company started working Sundays in the last year or two, and nobody's happy).  However, like Scott5114, I find my Chick-fil-A cravings often fall on a Sunday; ironically, I often want to go there right after getting out of church.

I did raise an eyebrow at their publicity stunt upon opening.  The first ## people in line got one free sandwich a day (or week?) for a year, but they had to be camped out in the parking lot for a couple of days to qualify.  So, to all the passing drivers, it looked like people were just camped out to be one of the first ## people in line; what they didn't know was that they were actually required to–i.e., if people didn't start camping out until the night before, then they wouldn't win the prize.  It really is popular, though; they have dual drive-through lanes, which are still backed up during the lunch hour.  I like 'em, like 'em, yes I do.

[formulanone]

They opened a store about 20 minutes from my house, and people were lined up for a week to score the free food. Some people do not have jobs nor lives, I suppose; but it's that sort of thing that generates publicity.

I don't expect my waitstaff to talk to me and discuss the weather or the local pro sports team. You're buttering me up for a tip; while that's fine for hair cutters and other services whereby you have "downtime", I just want my food, and bet the other patrons too do.

Hmm...can't say I noticed that at In-and-Out. Must have been too busy looking at my phone when waiting.

[agentsteel53]

Hmm...can't say I noticed that at In-and-Out. Must have been too busy looking at my phone when waiting.

you won't notice while waiting, unless you're randomly scrutinizing the stock out of boredom.  they're printed on the wrappers, cups, etc.  offhand the only place I can think of to look is on the bottom inside rim of the beverage cup, but I know they exist on the other packaging as well.

they're in tiny print in out-of-the-way locations, and also just references.  i.e. "John 3:16" as opposed to the verse itself... I feel like it's more an "easter egg" for Christians, as opposed to actual conversion attempts. 

[formulanone]

If anyone can hide messages in their paper goods, Chipotle can. It's loaded with miscellaneous ramblings. Who created their latest campaign...the Son of Sam?

[mcdonaat]

What about the southern favorite known as Cane's?

The full name is Raising Cane's. That place is yummy!

There is another chain called Zaxby's that has an almost identical menu. Zaxby's is everywhere in the South, but I haven't been to one yet.

Never even seen a Zaxby's before, but I have heard of it.

[route56]

Which is part of what makes Chick-fil-A awesome- you can go there and see how many reflexive "my pleasure"s you can get out of the person taking your order. My record is seven.

I'm guessing that you haven't been to Gates BBQ in KC

[hbelkins]

What about the southern favorite known as Cane's?

The full name is Raising Cane's. That place is yummy!

There is another chain called Zaxby's that has an almost identical menu. Zaxby's is everywhere in the South, but I haven't been to one yet.

Heh. I posted an innocent query on my FB page last week, "Raising Cane's or Zaxby's?" Got some favorable votes for both. As for me, I like them both equally and really couldn't pick a favorite. There's a subtle difference in the taste of the batter. I like Cane's fries better (Zaxby's are seasoned lightly, and the only thing I want on my fries is salt unless they are chili cheese fries or bacon cheddar fries). I like Zaxby's bread better; Cane's is garlic bread and I hate garlic.

Zaxby's is growing rapidly in central Kentucky. When the new one opened in Frankfort several weeks ago, the crowds were so big that they actually had a police officer directing traffic in and out at lunchtime, and some people were even saying the place needed its own traffic signal at its entrance. I only know of two Cane's in the area, both in Lexington (one near the UK campus and one in Hamburg Pavilion.)

First Zaxby's I ever saw was in Franklin, NC. I'd never heard of Cane's until they opened in Lexington.


But I really do like Chick-Fil-A and used to eat at the one in Hamburg off Man O'War in Lexington reasonably often when I was in the area. First one I ever saw was in Fayette Mall but they are starting to proliferate in the region as well.

[Jim]

One of my favorite road trip foods - the chicken strip/finger.  On any trip into Zaxby's or Raising Cane's territory, I am sure to make a stop.  I also like Chick-Fil-A's strips, but would gladly pass them by for one of the other two.  If all three were available, I would go for Raising Cane's.  I think they're just a fraction better, both the breading and the sauce, than Zaxby's.  Maybe it's just that I tend to pass a lot more Zaxby's (they're everywhere on the I-95 corridor from NC to at least Jax) so RC's is more of a rare treat.

On my most recent trip, I finally got a chance to try a Guthrie's, which I have heard some claim is the "original" that RC's and Zaxby's are trying to copy.  I liked Guthrie's, too, but wouldn't place it above the other two.

[mgk920]

I've seen enough politics for this thread.  That said, I usually subsist on Subway and McD's on roadtrips.  Reasonable prices and predictable quality and menu offerings.

Mike

[Takumi]

In other news, can we somehow get this thread back on the topic of restaurant chains? (not likely)

Heh, that's what my post about independent pizzerias and multiple locations was trying to do, as well as others' posts about Raising Canes vs. Zaxby's. We see how well that worked out.

[hbelkins]

That said, I usually subsist on Subway and McD's on roadtrips.  Reasonable prices and predictable quality and menu offerings.

I wish.

I'm starting to notice considerable differences in quality at various McDonald's locations. Some places the fries are soggy and greasy; other places they have no salt; other places seem to put pepper on their burgers while others don't.

If I'm driving I want finger food or sandwiches without condiment so as to not make a mess, because I never eat in during the day on a trip. I always hit the drive-thru or get my food to go. Can't waste time sitting in a restaurant at lunch when there's traveling to be done.

[BigMattFromTexas]

I love Chick-fil-a! I'm probably one of the few that agrees with their standpoint. But that's as far into that as I'm going.
I think it's impressive that they can make as much money or even more than, the people who stay open 7 days a week, in only 6 days! As far as Subway, I think their prices are starting to go north now..
How 'bout The Cheesecake Factory? Voted the WORST restaurant (health wise) by Men's Health Magazine!
Now I've noticed that I haven't eaten fast food really lately, but Subway is probably the best one. (Gotta stay in shape for football!)
BigMatt

[luokou]

But to get the topic back on track, I do enjoy the Black Bear diners in NorCal and in Oregon. Stopped there in Grants Pass on a recent road trip to Portland and thoroughly enjoyed their food and friendly staff (albeit a little slow on the service).  Muchas Gracias is another small chain from Hood River (of all places!) with a location in Grants Pass where I would stop by on trips back to California. Plus, they're 24-hours! Used to go to the Muchas Gracias off of Mill Plain Bl. in The 'Couve when I had those late-night cravings for some chile rellenos.

[BigMattFromTexas]

I forgot to mention one! Being the founding city of Rosa's Cafe, it's a really good place! I don't think I've mentioned it, but it's good and cheap! Happy we're getting a second location!
I just found out today that San Angelo is getting "3 Parrots Taco Shop". I looked it up, turns out I guess it's trying to become a chain, this one will be location 3, looking forward to seeing it open.
BigMatt

[Scott5114]

One last comment on the Chick-Fil-A thing: whether you agree with their stance on gay rights or not, one has to acknowledge that putting themselves in a position that led to us having this discussion at all was a pretty stupid business blunder. Your business should really be judged on its product and customer service, not what the owners spend its money on. The minute the company's founder put his company in a position that people could associate "anti-gay" with the words "Chick-Fil-A" is the minute that he tarnished the brand image. Some folks obviously won't care and keep eating there, but the fundamental mistake here is that a gay person's money spends just as well as a straight person's. CFA is still making money, but there's no way of knowing how many more millions are ending up in their competitors' coffers instead.

If the Cathys had just kept that belief to themselves this thread would have just consisted of mostly "Yeah, Chick-Fil-A's really good. Sucks they're not open on Sunday."

[Scott5114]

I used to work at Burger King and it was common knowledge that we would never match McDonalds in any given hour of sales. However it looks like CFA, while not doing as well as McD, is faring pretty well in comparison to its other competitors:

Revenue according to Wikipedia rounded to the nearest $100 million:

McDonalds 2010	$24.1 billion
Subway 2010	$16.2 billion
KFC 2011	$9.2 billion
CKE (Hardee's/Carl's Jr) 2007	$5.6 billion
Chick-Fil-A 2011	$4.0 billion
Wendys 2011	$2.4 billion
Taco Bell 2009	$1.9 billion
In-N-Out	$0.5 billion est.
Quizno's 2004	$0.1 billion
Jack in the Box 2011	—$2.2 billion
Burger King FY2010	—$2.3 billion

[Alps]

I used to work at Burger King and it was common knowledge that we would never match McDonalds in any given hour of sales. However it looks like CFA, while not doing as well as McD, is faring pretty well in comparison to its other competitors:

Revenue according to Wikipedia rounded to the nearest $100 million:

McDonalds 2010	$24.1 billion
Subway 2010	$16.2 billion
KFC 2011	$9.2 billion
CKE (Hardee's/Carl's Jr) 2007	$5.6 billion
Chick-Fil-A 2011	$4.0 billion
Wendys 2011	$2.4 billion
Taco Bell 2009	$1.9 billion
In-N-Out	$0.5 billion est.
Quizno's 2004	$0.1 billion
Jack in the Box 2011	—$2.2 billion
Burger King FY2010	—$2.3 billion

That's not revenue, that's profits. Revenues aren't gonna be negative... all it shows is that a smaller business model can be successful, which is hardly news. As for the recent news - I have no problem with people expressing their views. The owner of this chain is a person, and if he founded the chain with certain ideologies (clearly the case, based on what's printed all over their paper products), he is free to speak about them. Of course, I would agree it's a dumb business move. Taking any position on a divisive issue will only drive people away as a net result, except in very rare cases, like the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, where serving or not serving blacks determined who would eat at your place, and there was no middle ground.

[Road Hog]

I used to work at Burger King and it was common knowledge that we would never match McDonalds in any given hour of sales. However it looks like CFA, while not doing as well as McD, is faring pretty well in comparison to its other competitors:

Revenue according to Wikipedia rounded to the nearest $100 million:

McDonalds 2010	$24.1 billion
Subway 2010	$16.2 billion
KFC 2011	$9.2 billion
CKE (Hardee's/Carl's Jr) 2007	$5.6 billion
Chick-Fil-A 2011	$4.0 billion
Wendys 2011	$2.4 billion
Taco Bell 2009	$1.9 billion
In-N-Out	$0.5 billion est.
Quizno's 2004	$0.1 billion
Jack in the Box 2011	—$2.2 billion
Burger King FY2010	—$2.3 billion

Those numbers are also somewhat misleading in that McD's has more than 31,000 stores worldwide, while In-N-Out has only 278 in five states. You'd have to break the numbers down into a per-store average to get a better idea of how successful each chain is.

[US71]

That said, I usually subsist on Subway and McD's on roadtrips.  Reasonable prices and predictable quality and menu offerings.

I wish.

I'm starting to notice considerable differences in quality at various McDonald's locations. Some places the fries are soggy and greasy; other places they have no salt; other places seem to put pepper on their burgers while others don't.

If I'm driving I want finger food or sandwiches without condiment so as to not make a mess, because I never eat in during the day on a trip. I always hit the drive-thru or get my food to go. Can't waste time sitting in a restaurant at lunch when there's traveling to be done.

I have the same problem with Subway: one is good, the next one is crap. Since everything is franchised, there is probably not much quality control. Firehouse, OTOH, I've nave had a problem with (when I can find them).

[Scott5114]

I used to work at Burger King and it was common knowledge that we would never match McDonalds in any given hour of sales. However it looks like CFA, while not doing as well as McD, is faring pretty well in comparison to its other competitors:

Revenue according to Wikipedia rounded to the nearest $100 million:

McDonalds 2010	$24.1 billion
Subway 2010	$16.2 billion
KFC 2011	$9.2 billion
CKE (Hardee's/Carl's Jr) 2007	$5.6 billion
Chick-Fil-A 2011	$4.0 billion
Wendys 2011	$2.4 billion
Taco Bell 2009	$1.9 billion
In-N-Out	$0.5 billion est.
Quizno's 2004	$0.1 billion
Jack in the Box 2011	—$2.2 billion
Burger King FY2010	—$2.3 billion

Those numbers are also somewhat misleading in that McD's has more than 31,000 stores worldwide, while In-N-Out has only 278 in five states. You'd have to break the numbers down into a per-store average to get a better idea of how successful each chain is.

If your chain is doing well enough that you have the capital to expand to 31,000 stores...

Also I am not sure what the deal with the negatives is; the numbers are all clearly labeled as "Revenue" on Wikipedia. Probably someone who doesn't know what they're doing was editing.