First quarter RSMI results put Starbucks on top, Red Mango climbs into top 10
As social media strategies, tactics and tools continue to change for restaurants looking to leverage the marketing medium, the ranking of top social media restaurant brands also changed in this latest ranking, reflecting limited-time programs, special promotions and increased brand awareness of what customers are looking for from social mediums.
According to the latest results from the Restaurant Social Media Index Top 100, developed by DigitalCoco and presented exclusively by Nation’s Restaurant News, brands like Starbucks, Wendy's and McDonald’s stayed in the top five, while some, like Red Mango and Buffalo Wild Wings, rose significantly from their previous ranks.
Meet the new top 100-ranked restaurant brands, based on activity in the March-ended first quarter of 2012.
Learn more on the RSMI homepage, including a breakdown of what's behind the numbers, the index methodology and a video presenting the latest insights in social media brand building. Check out the previous quarter's Top 100.
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| Company Name | RSMI Score | Company Name | RSMI Score |
| 1. Starbucks | 237.1 — | 51. Wolfgang Puck | 153.4 |
| 2. Wendy's | 210.6  1 |
52. Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe | 153.0 |
| 3. Red Mango | 207.6 18 |
53. Auntie Anne's | 152.3 |
| 4. McDonald's | 196.9  2 |
54. Freshii | 152.2 |
| 5. Chick-fil-A | 195.6 — | 55. Carl's Jr. | 151.7 |
| 6. Chipotle Mexican Grill | 190.1 2 |
56. Hooters | 151.3 |
| 7. Panera Bread | 184.5 4 |
57. Checkers | 151.2 |
| 8. Buffalo Wild Wings | 179.9 9 |
58. Cinnabon | 150.8 |
| 9. Peet's Coffee & Tea | 179.8 1 |
59. Buca di Beppo | 150.7 |
| 10. Arby's | 178.4 4 |
60. Chop't Creative Salad Company | 150.1 |
| 11. Outback Steakhouse | 177.6 1 |
61. Le Pain Quotidien | 149.6 |
| 12. Dunkin' Donuts | 177.1 | 62. Morton's The Steakhouse | 149.5 |
| 13. The Cheesecake Factory | 176.5 | 63. Jason's Deli | 149.4 |
| 14. Jimmy John's |
176.0 | 64. Raising Cane's | 149.0 |
| 15. Firehouse Subs | 175.9 | 65. Little Caesars Pizza | 148.2 |
| 16. Pizza Hut | 173.5 | 66. Zoës Kitchen | 148.0 |
| 17. Taco Bell | 172.1 | 67. California Tortilla | 146.9 |
| 18. Bonefish Grill | 170.8 | 68. Wow Bao | 146.8 |
| 19. Smashburger | 169.9 | 69. Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza | 146.2 |
| 20. Sweetgreen | 169.5 | 70. Krispy Kreme | 146.2 |
| 21. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf | 169.3 | 71. Yard House | 146.2 |
| 22. Which Wich | 169.1 | 72. Boloco | 146.1 |
| 23. Tasti D-Lite | 168.7 | 73. Quiznos | 136.4 |
| 24. Hard Rock Cafe | 168.5 | 74. Genghis Grill | 145.0 |
| 25. AJ Bombers | 167.1 | 75. Tokyo Joe's | 144.7 |
| 26. Papa John's | 165.3 | 76. Alamo Drafthouse | 144.6 |
| 27. Subway | 165.3 | 77. Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill | 144.3 |
| 28. Shake Shack | 165.2 | 78. California Pizza Kitchen | 144.0 |
| 29. Applebee's | 162.8 | 79. Texas Roadhouse | 143.9 |
| 30. Corner Bakery Cafe | 162.6 | 80. Moe's Southwest Grill | 143.8 |
| 31. P.F. Chang's China Bistro | 162.3 | 81. Jersey Mike's Subs | 143.7 |
| 32. IHOP | 161.8 | 82. Original Joe's | 143.5 |
| 33. KFC | 161.4 24 |
83. Fatburger | 142.7 |
| 34. Pinkberry | 161.1 27 |
84. Ruby Tuesday | 142.6 |
| 35. Domino's Pizza | 160.5 | 85. Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes | 142.2 |
| 36. Noodles & Company | 160.1 | 86. Wingstop | 142.0 |
| 37. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers | 159.8 | 87. Go Roma | 141.8 |
| 38. Red Lobster | 159.0 | 88. Potbelly Sandwich Shop | 141.7 |
| 39. In-N-Out Burger | 158.9 | 89. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | 141.5 |
| 40. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | 158.5 | 90. Wahoo's Fish Taco | 141.3 |
| 41. Veggie Grill | 158.3 | 91. Naked Pizza | 141.3 |
| 42. Pizza Fusion | 158.2 | 92. Mooyah Burgers & Fries | 140.7 |
| 43. Whataburger | 158.1 | 93. Tijuana Flats | 140.3 |
| 44. Burger King | 157.9 | 94. Brio Tuscan Grille | 140.2 |
| 45. Five Guys Burgers and Fries | 157.7 | 95. Olive Garden | 140.1 |
| 46. Jack in the Box | 157.6 | 96. Dairy Queen | 139.8 |
| 47. Chili's Grill & Bar | 156.7 | 97. Lime Fresh Mexican Grill | 139.7 |
| 48. Jamba Juice | 156.5 | 98. Taco Cabana | 139.7 |
| 49. Sonic | 155.4 | 99. Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill | 139.4 |
| 50. Maggiano's Little Italy | 154.7 | 100. Qdoba Mexican Grill | 139.1 |
Legend: Restaurant brands that were ranked in the top 10 of both the fourth and third quarter RSMI results are shown with former rankings and arrows highlighting an increase or decrease of rank.
Source: All data provided by DigitalCoCo