This is part of NRN’s 2012 Consumer Picks special report, produced in partnership with WD Partners. The study rates top restaurant chains based on customer preferences. Visit Consumer Picks on NRN.com for more information. For the full report, including detailed rankings on the more than 100 chains, see the Aug. 6 issue of Nation’s Restaurant News.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store continued to rock its way to the top of the family-dining pack in the 2012 Consumer Picks survey.
The attributes consumers consider the most important among brands in this segment are Food Quality, Cleanliness and Service.
During the last year, activist investor Sardar Biglari has been involved in a heated battle with Cracker Barrel's board of directors over ther direction of the brand. Biglari eventually purchased a substantial amount in the company's stock, bringing his stake in Cracker Barrel up to 16.3 percent. This year also saw the passing of Dan “Danny” W. Evins, 76, founder and chairman emeritus of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.
• Number of units: 603
• U.S. systemwide sales: $1.93 billion
• Survey strengths: Likely to Recommend, Reputation, Menu Variety
• Last year’s rank: 1
At the end of 2011, parent company Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with its debt load reduced by more than $200 million. The company also recently announced that Jeffrey Warne, former president and chief executive of O'Charley's, would be its new CEO.
• Number of units: 80
• U.S. systemwide sales: Not available
• Survey strengths: Food Quality
• Last year’s rank: 3
In the past year, Bob Evans has committed itself to an initiative to reimage its restaurants to look more contemporary, as well as target value in a series of new menu moves. The brand recently started offering $6 Farmhouse Deals and a $9.99 3-Course Steak Dinner, as well as other value-focused promotions.
• Number of units: 565
• U.S. systemwide sales: $1.34 billion
• Survey strengths: Menu Variety, Food Quality
• Last year’s rank: 2
The Original Pancake House, based in Portland, Ore., continues to gain favor with consumers for the fresh-made batters and sauces used for its signature pancakes and omelets.
• Number of units: 116
• U.S. systemwide sales: $160
• Survey strengths: Food Quality, Cleanliness
• Last year’s rank: N/A
The subsidiary of Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity has had a busy year. The family-dining chain launched a new marketing campaign with the goal to "take back and own" breakfast, and also rolled out a retail line of its maple syrups. Most recently, the chain's president Jean Birch said she would be stepping down, and DineEquity announced that they would begin a menu overhaul at the brand.
• Number of units: 1,514
• U.S. systemwide sales: $2.6 billion
• Survey strengths: Menu Variety, Food Quality
• Last year’s rank: 5
Editor's note: Company sales and unit data was derived from the 2012 Nation Restaurant News Top 200 report, except where noted.