Even as a growing focus on obesity has culinary indulgences in the crosshairs, many consumers refuse to stop treating themselves to the occasional decadent meal out. Restaurateurs are striving to answer the call with menu items and promotions that range from belly-busting burgers to dainty yet rich desserts. Though they vary in size and represent both sweet and savory dishes, these offerings have one thing in common: They all are designed to fulfill customers’ cravings for excess and, ideally, to leave operators feeling satisfied, too.
Hefty hamburgers In its continuous pursuit of 18- to 34-year-old men, or “young, hungry guys,” as the chain calls them, the Hardee’s quick-service brand has rolled out a parade of high-calorie offerings, including the limited-time Prime Rib Thickburger, which uses shaved prime rib as a topping for the one-third pound burger, as well as its massive Monster Thick-burger, which clocks in at 1,420 calories and 108 grams of fat. While nutrition watchdogs have criticized the controversial items, the chain stands by the strategy as an effective sales driver. “The only place I see where people are advocating calorie-counting and healthy menus is in the media,” Andrew Puzder, chairman of Hardee’s parent company CKE Restaurants Inc., told NRN late last year. “I have never seen it at the restaurant level.” Sweet rewards Decadent dishes aren’t always so mammoth, however. Even Seasons 52, a chain that offers relatively healthful meals that all clock in at fewer than 500 calories, made it a priority to help customers treat themselves. The chain’s “mini indulgences” are individual-serving desserts that sell for $2.50 each and include pecan pie with vanilla mousse, chocolate peanut butter mousse and Rocky Road. Nearly every guest orders at least one, and often tables will purchase a nine-item flight to share, according to the company. Other chains have followed suit, including Chili’s Grill & Bar, with its Sweet Shots, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, with its Little Kisses. “Bottomless” bargains Slowing traffic, particularly in the casual-dining segment, has pushed a number of chains to run all-you-can-eat promos designed to attract budget-conscious consumers while presenting their chains as places where guests will never leave hungry. IHOP is currently pushing its all-you-can-eat pancakes and unlimited coffee refills, a popular promotion it runs periodically. Similarly, in recent months Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar all have let gluttonous guests get their fill with “bottomless” or “endless” promotions to help drive traffic.