Technomic Presents First-Ever Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Technomic presented the winners of its first-ever Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Awards on Jan. 16 at the Consumer Trends & Directions Conference in Newport Beach, Calif. Consumers themselves selected the winners, the company said.

Technomic asked consumers to rate 115 restaurant chains on more than 60 different attributes as part of its comprehensive Consumer Restaurant Brand Metrics program, which records 80,000 consumer visits annually. The Chain Restaurant Consumers' Choice Award-winners were selected based on analysis of consumer ratings in four key areas: food and beverage, service, atmosphere and brand image. The winners are:

• Service
  Quick Service: Chick-fil-A
  Fast Casual: Firehouse Subs Full Service: Outback Steakhouse
   
• Food & Beverage
  Quick Service: Culver's ButterBurgers & Frozen Custard
  Fast Casual: McAlister's Deli
  Full Service: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
   
• Atmosphere
  Quick Service: Caribou Coffee
  Fast Casual: Panera Bread Co.
  Full Service: LongHorn Steakhouse
   
• Brand Image
  Quick Service: Jamba Juice
  Fast Casual: Qdoba Mexican Grill
  Full Service: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

"Technomic is pleased to recognize these leading chains for their success at satisfying customers," stated Technomic Executive Vice President Darren Tristano . "But it's important to point out that it's the consumers who rated the chains and selected the winners. In essence, this award is from the customers themselves."