Cheddar's Launches New Spring Menu Including Lighter Side Options Under 575 Calories

IRVING, Texas, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cheddar's Casual Cafe officially launches its new spring menu that adds two salads, two burgers, three sides and two desserts, as well as a new Lighter Side menu featuring five handcrafted entrees under 575 calories each.

Cheddar's Executive Chef Robert Pesch has been working to create the new items in the company's chef-staffed kitchens across the nation and has been polling guests for feedback. His menu innovations, available at select locations, continue the Cheddar's tradition of offering high-quality, scratch-made food at value prices.

"Our new dishes focus on flavor first, with an appreciation that some people are changing the way they eat for health reasons," said Pesch.

For guests who are counting calories, Cheddar's new Lighter Side menu features rich, delicious steak, seafood and chicken dishes that don't skimp on taste and all contain less than 575 calories. For those who like to plan calorie consumption ahead, the new menu can be found online at www.Cheddar's.com.

Two new salads provide guests with adventurous flavors coupled with premium ingredients. The Asian Salad features fresh greens tossed with chicken, carrots, herbs and mango stacked between two fresh wonton crisps and topped with peanut sauce and sweet chili glaze. The new BBQ Chicken Salad combines roasted corn, grape tomatoes, two cheeses, bacon and onion straws tossed in Cheddar's homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing.

To develop its new burgers, Cheddar's relied on its e-club members to answer the question, "what does a great burger mean to you?" More than 20,000 members responded, and their comments helped the company innovate the Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger and create the Jalapeño Burger, made with fried jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, onion and tomato.

Any dish on the menu is perfectly complemented with Cheddar's unique, healthier new sides, including Edamame, Homemade Black Beans, and Fresh Apple & Yogurt Medley, available with an entrée or for an additional charge. Guests can end their meal on a sweet note with the new Strawberry Cheesecake Mini, an indulgent bite of delicious, homemade cheesecake with a fresh strawberry topping that is part of Cheddar's dessert mini lineup, or the new warm Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding topped with rich vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and almonds.

The full range of new menu entrees includes Grilled Baja Chicken*, Lemon Pepper Whitefish*, Sweet Heat Chicken & Shrimp*, Garlic Parmesan Sirloin Steak*, Citrus Miso Glazed Salmon*, Asian Salad, BBQ Chicken Salad, Steak Toppers, Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger and Jalapeño Burger. Three new sides include Fresh Apple & Yogurt Medley, Edamame and Homemade Black Beans. Two new desserts are Strawberry Cheesecake Mini and Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding. (*denotes Lighter Side menu item)

About Cheddar's Casual Cafe
Irving, Texas-based Cheddar's Casual Cafe was founded in 1979 as an inviting neighborhood restaurant featuring handmade, quality food offered at a reasonable price. Cheddar's has grown to 130 company-owned and franchise locations in 23 states. Cheddar's differentiated position combines scratch-based, handmade, quality food and genuine, caring service in a polished atmosphere for a value price that is significantly below its competitors. In 2012, Zagat ranked Cheddar's the nation's No. 1 full-service restaurant chain as well as Top Overall American Cuisine, the Top Rated Food and Top Rated Decor and Facilities. Consumer Reports named Cheddar's No. 1 in the Pub Style or Grill Category in its two restaurant surveys in 2009 and 2012. The company also received the No. 1 ranking in Value in Nation's Restaurant News/WD Partners' Consumer Picks Edition in 2011 and 2012 and in 2013 for Value, Likelihood to Return and Likelihood to tell others. For more information, visit Cheddars.com or www.facebook.com/CheddarsCasualCafe.

Media contact:
Ashley Bain, SPM Communications
817-329-3257
[email protected]

SOURCE Cheddar’s Casual Cafe