re: How are traditional sit-down chain restaurants still in business?

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The answer is that our country should be called the United States of Generica. So many people in this country are OK with mediocre and generic. There are vast areas of the country that look exactly like the next town or state over

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blow it out your arse Howard. you probably have tattoos because you think you're such the individual and so unique. Yet you are just another asshat in a long line of asshats who do the same thing in an effort to be unique.

what exactly would you want each town to do to be "different"? To set themselves apart? A dog park? They're everywhere. Sushi joint? everywhere. microbrewery? How trendsetting?

they have chain businesses, because people want them. So go to your very unique, one-of-a-kind pho restaurant and live it up. The guy two towns over is eating pho too.

Some posters are right in that it’s a safe choice type of thing

The chains also cater to the obese with things like endless dinner rolls, breadsticks, cheap apppetizers, etc.

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Of the dozens of "cafes" and restaurants of my youth, only the Beechwood remains. You can still get a good burger there...probably even "sandwich style." It's more than a quarter, though

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The Beechwood has a pretty good steak, too. Great place.

My parents are in their 80's. When they travel, chains are all they do. I think they find safety with their familiarity. My vote is all of the AARP members go to them.

I think I saw Olive Garden running a "eat one meal in the restaurant, and take another meal home on us" promotion on a commercial recently. That confirmed my theory that all their food is microwaved. Olive Garden is always crazy busy on the weekends. It is nuts.

I actually like Chili's. The one in my area closed down, and I was bummed.

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I do try to eat local when I can but sometimes you just want something dependable.

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I had some friends recently do a "dudes night out" at Chili's, probably ironically, but it made me realize I haven't been in a decade and made me want to go get queso and margs just to see what its like these days.

That said, I can't really relate to your statement I quoted. Unless you travel to rural areas with no other options, why would the highly rated local restaurants not be dependable? I'm not always in the main city like L.A. or San Diego, but even in suburban areas an hour out, there's plenty of local stuff that is far from not being dependable.

I feel like I understand eating these places at home where you have tried it all already than I understand trying it in a new city with things you've never had.

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Unless you travel to rural areas with no other options, why would the highly rated local restaurants not be dependable? I'm not always in the main city like L.A. or San Diego, but even in suburban areas an hour out, there's plenty of local stuff that is far from not being dependable.

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I've found the highly regarded local places in rural areas to be a mixed bag. Some have been as advertised, some have been dreadful. Forget the little town in Georgia where everyone there recommended a local Italian place. Owner was a 2nd generation Eye-talian and knew his stuff according to the locals. It was dreadful and I've never wanted an Olive Garden so badly.

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Food might be shite, but they run their restaurant like an actual business. Franchises are well oiled machines.

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This is the actual correct answer. They can source their supply more consistently and cheaper than local owned places, and they recognizable, consistent, and scheduled marketing campaigns.

This thread made me remember Shoneys. Haven't thought about that place in a hot minute. Over by Skate Heaven off Airline

I liked me some Bennigan's. Monte Cristo was tits.

Does Calendar's count as a chain?