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Family dining chains reposition to steal the independent restaurant dinerFamily dining chains reposition to steal the independent restaurant diner

Cracker Barrel, IHOP and Denny’s tailor offerings to lure guests from struggling full-service competitors

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 7, 2021

6 Min Read
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In the COVID-19 pandemic’s wake, multi-unit family-dining brands have torn pages from the casual-dining menu playbook, seeing an opening in the marketplace where independent sit-down restaurants have closed and full-service chains have struggled.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. has expanded its test of beer and wine sales in the homestyle dining rooms. IHOP has pushed the edges of its menu, supplanting bacon and eggs with burritos. Denny’s Corp. has rolled out a duo of virtual brands, just like its casual-dining-chain brethren.

And family-dining menus have evolved, becoming more tailored.

Sandra Cochran, CEO of Lebanon, Tenn.-based Cracker Barrel, said on a recent earning call that menu simplifying and steamlining of that 660-unit bra...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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