Local/regional fast food chains you wish were nationwide?

[CoreySamson]

I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.

Same. Cane's sauce is awesome, and the Texas toast and coleslaw are good, but their chicken is kinda meh (along with their fries).

[Bruce]

What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?

It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.

[1995hoo]

^most of those fast casual places have some strange ordering protocol like that which instantly brands people as noobs if they haven't been there before.

I don't think Five Guys' ridiculously huge portions of fries are a "strange ordering protocol." I think it's just that they serve huge portions. I was glad when they introduced the "little" order of fries (smaller than the regular order). I don't go to Five Guys very often, though, partly because the location nearest to home is a nuisance to get to because of the road layout in Springfield and partially because it's not something I need to eat very often. We sometimes used to stop at one near Verizon Center en route to hockey games, but those of you who have commented on the cost have even more of a point in DC because of the city's 10% tax on restaurant meals (including fast food). Who knows when we'll be able to go to Verizon Center again. We had stopped going to that Five Guys anyway because our hockey season tickets now include a substantial concession stand credit, so to use that up we were getting food at the arena instead.

Now, Starbucks using goofy terminology for their drink sizes instead of just a normal "small, medium, large" is a "strange ordering protocol." You're expected to know their lingo and I've never bothered to figure out what it is. I used to order from the subway using their app (which makes it easy to figure out small/medium/large by scrolling) when I got to the stop before mine so that my coffee would be ready for pickup when I passed the store on the way to work, but now that I don't commute on the subway anymore that's no longer an issue. I still use their app when I'm in New York and I want to go to the location a block away from the office.

[formulanone]

What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?

It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.

One could have a similar experience with South Florida (or Alaska/Hawaii); the Sunshine State is a logistical cul-de-sac. Lots of national brands had a tendency to avoid the area but that's changed over the last 20 years...though that's also due to the homogenization of America and the opportunities of an increasing population center.

Hard to have it both ways.

[jeffandnicole]

What should we define as the benchmark for "nationwide"?

It feels like some long-recognized "nationwide" chains (e.g. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes) have only recently made it to the Pacific Northwest, so perhaps a presence in every major subregion should be enough. In any case, we're going to be the last to see a lot of the new generation of national chains because of the logistics issues.

If it's larger than a broad 'regional' term, then it's nationwide.  And by broad regional, "East of the Mississippi", "East of the Rockies", etc.  If only a few or couple states are excluded, it's still nationwide.

[WillWeaverRVA]

It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.

[GCrites]

I really wanted to like Cane's. It's just..average.

Same. Cane's sauce is awesome, and the Texas toast and coleslaw are good, but their chicken is kinda meh (along with their fries).

Try ordering it "extra crispy". It makes their chicken taste less "wet".

[Rothman]

It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.

I found they were more hype than quality.  Been to the one in Madison Square Park and others in the greater NYC area.

[Scott5114]

At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.

That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7—8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

In my opinion, the cheapest burger at Five Guys blows away the best thing McD/BK/Wendy's has ever sent out the door.  Obviously others disagree.

It's better than McDonald's, but to me, the beef tastes more or less identical to that at Wendy's. I haven't been back there since I had covid, but I'd imagine I'd be even less likely to taste a difference now, since I'm starting to become resigned to the fact that I'm never going to have my taste buds back the way they were before I had it. (Which has its upsides; fried food, which I previously loved, now tastes kind of gross, so I've started avoiding things like fries.)

[TheHighwayMan3561]

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.

[hbelkins]

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.

Most of the time, if I am ordering at a drive-thru while on a trip, I will have cold drinks in a cooler. So I typically don't get the drink unless it is part of a value meal of some sort.

The exception is at a place like Sheetz, if they have all drinks the same price and you fill your own cup. I'll get very little ice in my cup and fill it full of pop.

[jeffandnicole]

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

Drinks and fries are where they make the biggest profit margin. When I worked at a BK, the GM told me one large fry sold paid for three bags of frozen fries, which is why he wasn't too concerned about wasting fries.

Not much different than how entrees are priced at many restaurant.  Pasta and salads are mostly profit. Steaks are barely profitable.  Sodas and Desserts are very profitable. Water...no profit. Alcohol...good profit margin; just a lot of waste especially when it comes to liquors.

If steaks were priced at the same margin as pasta, they would never sell.

[plain]

It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.

I'm surprised too considering all the wackiness going on in the metro over the last decade as far as national chains goes. On top of a bunch of fast food chains, this area has:

Both Sheetz & Wawa
Both Wegmans & Publix
Both Topgolf & Drive Shack

There's a Shake Shack in Virginia Beach. I'm surprised there isn't one near Richmond yet.

[GCrites]

At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.

That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7—8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008—2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink–the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.

[formulanone]

At the one here, I can go online right now and order a little hamburger for $5.79, a little fries for $3.29, and a fountain drink for $2.29, which is more than a large enough meal for me.

That's still $11.37 without tax ($12.36 with 8.75% Norman sales tax), whereas a meal elsewhere is in the $7–8 range with tax. Also, even the small fry at Five Guys is so big that I can't eat the whole thing myself, so I'm wasting about $1.50 on food I physically won't be able to eat. I'd be happier if they had a Minuscule Fry For Tiny Tiny Babies that was about the same size as an order of fries from other fast food restaurants.

A fountain drink for $2.29 is highway robbery, though. When I managed a Burger King in 2008–2009 I got to see the cost to the company of a drink—the cup cost them a quarter and the actual soda about six cents. Adjusted for inflation that's 38¢.

The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.

I suppose getting the cups printed with a logo and other associated markings also adds a little towards the cost.

[jeffandnicole]

The cup cost a quarter (now 38 cents)? That's a lot! Does that include the lid and straw? 150 Solo cups retail is $14, so less than 10 cents a cup. I suppose there's a little more to the wax-coated paper used in fast food, though.

Consumer retail vs business expenses is rarely a great comparison.  Restaurant pricing needs to include the entire supply and personnel chain, from the warehouse buildings to trucks to advertising to rent/lease to insurance to delivery to salaries, etc.  When someone goes to the supermarket, they look at one thing: the cost of the product.  They don't factor in the fuel used in their car.  They don't allocate the cost of insurance.  They don't pay themselves for their time.  They're not subsidizing their healthcare.  They don't have a HR department, social media, or CEO.  They probably don't have a personal jet.  They're not spending money to develop their next product.  They're not facing lawsuits from people slipping on wet floors after they spilled their drink.  You're not paying someone in your house to pour a drink.  You're not paying someone to train you.  You're not worried your cashier is stealing money out of the till.  The health department isn't stopping in to make sure the cups are stored properly, away from hot grease, making sure the bags are sealed properly, etc.  There ain't no 5 second rule if a cup falls on the floor in a restaurant.

I know people love to make these comparisons, but in reality, there is no comparison. 

[hotdogPi]

There ain't no 5 second rule if a cup falls on the floor in a restaurant.

At the Stop & Shop I worked at, one employee (fresh food, but not naming the department to avoid outing) believed in it. The other employees working in that department had to tell him/her that the "rule" shouldn't be used.

[WillWeaverRVA]

It'd be nice if we had a Shake Shack here. They're exploding all over the DC area and in various other parts of the country.

I'm surprised too considering all the wackiness going on in the metro over the last decade as far as national chains goes. On top of a bunch of fast food chains, this area has:

Both Sheetz & Wawa
Both Wegmans & Publix
Both Topgolf & Drive Shack

There's a Shake Shack in Virginia Beach. I'm surprised there isn't one near Richmond yet.

I remember complaining for a while after the Virginia Beach one opened.  I feel like a location near the VCU campus would be pretty successful.

Most of the time, if I am ordering at a drive-thru while on a trip, I will have cold drinks in a cooler. So I typically don't get the drink unless it is part of a value meal of some sort.

The exception is at a place like Sheetz, if they have all drinks the same price and you fill your own cup. I'll get very little ice in my cup and fill it full of pop.

I do the same thing at Wawa, where they frequently have "any size, same price" sales on drinks. It's a seriously good deal.

[TheGrassGuy]

Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.

[kphoger]

Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.

"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.

[formulanone]

Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.

"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.

Okay, probably not Tibet and that other place that manufactures imported rubber chickens.

[OCGuy81]

Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!

Oregon is just starting to get In-N-Out. There's one in Medford, one in Grants Pass, one in Salem, and apparently the Portland metro is next. All of them have notoriously long lines at all times. Having lived in California, been there, done that. I like them but certainly wouldn't wait an hour for "fast"  food.

[Bruce]

Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!

Oregon is just starting to get In-N-Out. There's one in Medford, one in Grants Pass, one in Salem, and apparently the Portland metro is next. All of them have notoriously long lines at all times. Having lived in California, been there, done that. I like them but certainly wouldn't wait an hour for "fast"  food.

The Habit has a few locations around Seattle, and Fatburger has at least one that I know of (in Redmond).

[briantroutman]

Having lived in southern California for a long time (Oregon now) I certainly would enjoy seeing both The Habit and Fatburger come up here!

Both chains are "national"  to an extent. Outside of their California home bases, the two chains have locations spread widely across North America–Fatburger in twelve states and five Canadian provinces; The Habit in thirteen states. Both chains have presences outside North America, too.

That seems to be its own category–chains with a very high density in a certain region and then a spotty presence (or isolated clusters) scattered elsewhere in the country. The similar burger-and-custard chains of Freddy's and Culver's come to mind. They're virtually ubiquitous in their home territories with other isolated pockets of locations here and there.

[TheGrassGuy]

Wai Po Jia (Grandma's House). Based in mainland China, serves Hangzhou cuisine.

"Mainland China" is a pretty broad locale/region.

I wish they were in America though