Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Market Force Information Study Names Cracker Barrel America's Favorite Casual Restaurant
  • USA - English


News provided by

GroundFloor Media

Jan 21, 2016, 07:10 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Graph 1 – Favorite General Menu Restaurant Chains
Graph 1 – Favorite General Menu Restaurant Chains

Louisville, Colo. (PRWEB) January 21, 2016 -- According to a new study by Market Force Information® (Market Force), Cracker Barrel is America’s overall favorite casual dining chain, edging out the Cheesecake Factory. More than 6,700 consumers were polled for the study, which ranked major restaurant chains in five categories: general menu, Italian, steakhouse, breakfast and buffet. This is the first time that Cracker Barrel has taken the top spot.

To remain relevant and sustain growth, casual dining chains must find new ways to differentiate, whether it’s creating enriching guest experiences or offering innovative and high quality food options

Post this

Cracker Barrel Rolls To Top in General Menu Category
To attain the rankings, Market Force asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their most recent casual dining restaurant experience on a scale of 1-5, as well as their likelihood to refer that restaurant brand to others. The results were averaged and plotted on a Composite Loyalty Index.

Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel, which recently added a more health-conscious Wholesome Fixin’s menu and entered the grocery channel, ranked highest in the general menu category with a score of 59%. Cheesecake Factory, which ranked No. 1 in Market Force’s 2014 study, was a close second with 55%. Red Robin, TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday rounded out the top five. [See Graph 1].

Cheesecake Factory Wins on Food, Cracker Barrel on Value
Why are Cracker Barrel’s guests so satisfied and loyal? Market Force asked respondents to rate the top eight general menu chains by various attributes and found that Cracker Barrel leads in three key areas – value, friendly service and fast service. Cheesecake Factory scored highest in many of the food-related attributes, including quality food, healthy food choices, offering alternative ingredients such as gluten-free choices, delivering an experience and, not surprisingly, menu variety. Ruby Tuesday ranked second for healthy choices and for value, and Red Robin and TGI Fridays also performed well in many of the areas studied. Overall, the brands were closely clustered with little differentiation in the service-oriented attributes, while there was much more disparity in areas such as menu variety and addressing allergens. [See Graph 2].

“The casual dining segment is facing a new wave of threats to its growth. More fast-casual concepts are luring away their guests by offering similar quality meals in less time and at a more affordable price-point, and millennials are bypassing chains in favor of more unique, independent restaurants,” said Cheryl Flink, Market Force’s chief strategy officer. “To remain relevant and sustain growth, casual dining chains must find new ways to differentiate, whether it’s creating enriching guest experiences or offering innovative and high quality food options.”

Italian Chains
Italian cuisine is an American staple, and study participants believe no one does it better than Maggiano’s, naming it favorite Italian chain for the second time in a row. Maggiano’s ranked first on the Composite Loyalty Index with 68%, outpacing Carrabba’s Italian Grill, which received 61% to again land in second place. A mix of “Other” options took third place, Olive Garden was fourth and Romano’s Macaroni Grill was fifth. [See Graph 3].

Maggiano’s led in every key attribute but one, with particularly strong scores for value, high-quality food, menu variety, addressing allergens and delivering an experience. Carrabba’s Italian Grill bested Maggiano’s in the friendly service category, and ranked second for high-quality food, atmosphere and menu variety. Olive Garden secured a top-three ranking across all categories, including second-place spots for value, healthy choices, addressing allergens and fast service.

Steakhouse Chains
The battle of the best steakhouse went to Texas Roadhouse. With 63%, it narrowly beat out Longhorn Steakhouse (59%). Outback Steakhouse, Logan’s Roadhouse and Sizzler also scored well enough to make the list. Brands such as The Capital Grille and The Keg fell off the latest Index, while Sizzler was visited by enough study participants to make the cut.

The attributes rankings were more splintered in the steakhouse category than others. Longhorn Steakhouse received the highest marks for quality food, followed by Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse. Longhorn also excelled in atmosphere and menu variety, while Sizzler was lauded for its healthy options.

Breakfast Chains
Known for its “breakfast served all day” theme and sausage products, Bob Evans ranked No. 1 in the breakfast category, overtaking Mimi’s Café, which led in the 2014 casual dining restaurant study. Mimi’s ranked second, followed by Waffle House, Perkins, IHOP and Denny’s.

Bob Evans was a food favorite, taking the top spots for high-quality food and healthy choices. Mimi’s Café won for its inviting atmosphere and friendly service. Waffle House dominated in the fast service and value categories – both key facets in the breakfast segment – yet scored lowest among the group for atmosphere and healthy menu options. None of the brands stood out for delivering an exceptional experience to diners.

Buffet Chains
Market Force also looked at which buffet restaurant chains are leaving guests the most satisfied. Pizza Ranch clearly dominated with 61%, Hometown Buffet was a distant second with 42%, Golden Corral ranked third with 36%, Cici’s Pizza was fourth with 33% and Old Country Buffet earned 27%.

Not surprisingly, Pizza Ranch led in nearly every area, with one of the largest margins for food quality. Golden Corral stood out for its menu variety, followed by Hometown Buffet and Old Country Buffet. Cici’s Pizza was shown to offer the best value, scoring slightly higher than Pizza Ranch.

Casual Dining Frequency and New Trials
Market Force also looked at consumers’ dining habits, including how often they’re patronizing casual dining restaurants, as well as which brands they’re trying for the first time.

• General Menu – 91% dined at one in the previous 90 days. Brands most frequently tried for first time were Cheesecake Factory, Red Robin and Buffalo Wild Wings.
• Italian Chains – 40% dined at one in previous 90 days. Brands most frequently tried for first time were Maggiano’s, Carrabba’s and Romano’s.
• Steakhouse Chains – 45% dined at one in previous 90 days. Brands most frequently tried for first time were Logan’s Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse.
• Breakfast Chains – 51% dined at one in previous 90 days. Brands most frequently tried for first time were Waffle House, IHOP and Mimi’s Café.
• Buffet Chains – 45% dined at one in previous 90 days. Brands most frequently tried for first time were Old Country Buffet, Pizza Ranch and Golden Corral.

Survey Demographics
The pool of 6,730 respondents reflected a broad spectrum of income levels, with nearly 56% reporting household incomes of more than $50,000 a year. Respondents’ ages ranged from 18 to over 65. Approximately 62% were women and 38% were men.

Methodology
The survey was conducted via email in November 2015 across the United States. For each category, study participants were asked to select which casual dining restaurant they visited most recently from a list of pre-set options of restaurants with a minimum of 100 U.S. locations. Only those restaurant brands that were selected by at least 2% of participants in each category were ranked and analyzed.

Market Force calculates its Composite Loyalty Index by averaging the percentage of guests who said, on a scale of 1-5, that they would recommend the brand, and the percentage of those who said, on a scale of 1-5, that they were satisfied with the brand.

To stay up to date on all of the latest restaurant news, trends and discussions, follow Market Force Information’s Restaurant Insights page on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-insights-from-market-force

About Market Force Information
Market Force Information® (Market Force) provides location-level measurement solutions that help businesses protect their brand reputation, delight customers and make more money. Solutions include customer experience surveys, contact center, mystery shopping and analytics. Founded in 2005, Market Force has a growing global presence, with offices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France and Spain. It serves over 350 clients that operate multi-location businesses, including major retailers, restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, financial institutions, entertainment studios and consumer packaged goods companies. More information can be found at http://www.marketforce.com.

Rebecca Scanlan, GroundFloor Media, +1 303-733-0328, [email protected]

Modal title

Graph 1 – Favorite General Menu Restaurant Chains
Graph 1 – Favorite General Menu Restaurant Chains
Graph 2 – General Menu Restaurants Ranked by Attributes
Graph 2 – General Menu Restaurants Ranked by Attributes
Graph 3 – Favorite Italian Food Chains
Graph 3 – Favorite Italian Food Chains
Graph 4 – Favorite Steakhouse Chains
Graph 4 – Favorite Steakhouse Chains
Graph 5 – Favorite Breakfast Food Chains
Graph 5 – Favorite Breakfast Food Chains
Graph 6 – Favorite Buffet Chains
Graph 6 – Favorite Buffet Chains
Graph 1 – Favorite General Menu Restaurant Chains Graph 2 – General Menu Restaurants Ranked by Attributes Graph 3 – Favorite Italian Food Chains Graph 4 – Favorite Steakhouse Chains Graph 5 – Favorite Breakfast Food Chains Graph 6 – Favorite Buffet Chains

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.