Technomic Announces 2015 Consumers' Choice Awards For Chain Restaurants

CHICAGO, Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of our comprehensive Consumer Brand Metrics program, Technomic asks consumers to rate more than 120 leading restaurant chains on 60+ different attributes. The attributes capture the consumer experience from every angle, from the quality of the food to the overall brand reputation. The ongoing study records more than 85,000 consumer visits annually.

Based on analysis of consumer ratings in five key areas, Technomic is proud to announce the winners of the Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards:

It's the consumers who rated the chains and selected the winners. In essence, this award is from the customers themselves. "These awards show that consumers recognize chains' hard work and attention to their needs regarding all aspects of the dining experience," said Darren Tristano, Vice President at Technomic.

The Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards will be presented at the Consumer Insights Planning Program Conference on January 14, 2015, in Newport Beach, Calif.

Methodology

• Consumer Brand Metrics is a brand performance study that is run on an ongoing basis.
• It tracks the performance of the leading limited-service and full-service restaurant chains.
• Consumer experience is measured on more than 60 brand attributes.
• More than 85,000 U.S. consumer visits are recorded annually.
• Winners are based on top-box ratings, or a rating 5 on a 5-point scale, where 1 equals very bad and 5 equals very good. Top-two-box ratings were used for ties and other purposes.
• Data from four quarters, fourth-quarter 2013 through third-quarter 2014, was analyzed.
• Each chain may only win one Consumers' Choice Award each year; if a chain had the highest ratings on multiple Pillars of Excellence, it most often receives the award in the pillar in which there is the greatest difference between its ratings and the next-highest chain's ratings.

Consumer comments on our winners:
Pleasant, Friendly Service
Chick-fil-A: "The service is always excellent, and I always leave with a good feeling attributed to the friendly crew."
McAlister's Deli: "They are friendly, helpful, and my meal was made quick and accurately. The restaurant is always clean and the staff is always well-groomed, polite and friendly."
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: "The service was great. The manager even came over to see how we were all doing. That was impressive."

Welcoming, Comfortable Atmosphere
Caribou Coffee: "The environment is cozy, and I don't feel out of place. There are cushion seats and a fireplace and fun people doing work."
Firehouse Subs: "It's always a friendly atmosphere, clean and bright. I find all Firehouse Subs restaurants to have high standards."
Maggiano's: "Our experiences there have always been great. The service was great, food delicious and ambience fantastic."

Unique Items You Can't Get Elsewhere
Cold Stone Creamery: "Cold Stone has so many creative mouthwatering delicious options and coupons, who wouldn't bypass all other creameries and head straight to Cold Stone Creamery!"
Zaxby's: "The appetizers, sauce and method in which the food is cooked is unique to Zaxby's and quite delicious."
The Cheesecake Factory: "It offers the most delicious bread before we even received our meals, and their cheesecakes are to die for."

Availability of Healthy Options
Jamba Juice: "I love Jamba Juice and have enjoyed their products and service for many years. They take care of my needs by preparing great healthy juice, smoothies and wheat grass when I am outside my own kitchen."
Jason's Deli: "They do a great job of offering healthy options that taste delicious."
Seasons 52: "I appreciate the use of fresh, wholesome and organic ingredients and the creativity behind the menu."

Intent to Recommend
Papa Murphy's: "My son turned us on to Papa M's a couple of years ago! They have a very good value for one's dollar, so we have stuck with them."
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers: "Their chicken fingers are awesome, and their toast is to die for with their Cane's sauce. I recommend this place to anyone who has never eaten there before."
Cheddar's: "I have been there countless times and they never let me down. They have a friendly staff and even when they are really busy, they always pull through on excellent food."

Which U.S. restaurants are tracked? Consumer Brand Metrics is an ongoing research program that tracks consumers' attitudes toward, and usage of, leading restaurant chains and other foodservice venues. In 2014, the program includes 128 leading restaurant chains operating within the U.S. This includes the vast majority of Technomic's Top 100 U.S. Restaurants, as well as other category leaders and chains that have experienced significant unit and sales growth. Chains are added with each quarterly survey wave.

Learn more about the Consumer Brand Metrics online platform and other Technomic products and services at Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals below.

Contacts:
Press Inquiries: Darren Tristano, 312-506-3850, or [email protected]
Consumer Brand Metrics Details: Patrick Noone, 312-506-3852, or [email protected]

About Technomic
Only Technomic delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. We drive growth and profitability for our clients by providing the most reliable, consumer-grounded, channel-relevant data with forward-looking strategic insights. Our services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit us at technomic.com

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SOURCE Technomic Inc.

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