Chain Restaurants Research Articles

Lease of Life’

This case presents an ethical dilemma faced by the partners of a restaurant chain that prides itself on its stakeholder approach. The partners must decide whether to implement a health insurance policy for their employees despite the unfavourable financial condition of the company. The case explores the challenge of maintaining consistency in actions and values, especially during hard times. It also examines the issue of the rights of employees in this regard and the business case of providing health insurance. The case aims to help students understand the decisions that executive management faces frequently and the trade-offs between profitability and social responsibility.

Health and non-health related corporate social responsibility statements in top selling restaurant chains in the United States between 2012-2018: a content analysis

Health and non-health related corporate social responsibility statements in top selling restaurant chains in the United States between 2012-2018: a content analysis

Evaluating the application of front-of-package labelling regulations to menu labelling in the Canadian restaurant sector using Menu Food Label Information and Price (Menu-FLIP) 2020 data.

To evaluate the application of front-of-package (FOP) labelling regulations to menu labelling in the Canadian restaurant sector by assessing the proportion of menu items that would be required to display the 'high-in' FOP symbol if the policy were extended to the restaurant sector. Nutrition information of 18,760 menu items were collected from 141 chain restaurants in Canada. Menu items were evaluated using the mandatory FOP labelling regulations promulgated in Canada Gazette II by Health Canada in July of 2022. Chain restaurants with ≥20 establishments in Canada. Canadian chain restaurant menu items including beverages, desserts, entrées, sides, and starters. Overall, 77% of menu items in the Canadian restaurant sector would display a 'high-in' FOP symbol. Among these menu items, 43% would display 'high-in' one nutrient, 54% would display 'high-in' two, and 3% would display 'high-in' all three nutrients-of-concern. By nutrient, 52% were 'high-in' sodium, and 24% and 47% were 'high-in' total sugars and saturated fat, respectively. Given the poor nutritional quality of restaurant foods, the current regulations, if applied to restaurant foods, would result in most menu items displaying a FOP symbol. Therefore, expanding the Canadian FOP labelling regulations to the restaurant sector can be key to ensuring a healthy food environment for Canadians. Furthermore, menu labelling along with other multi-faceted approaches such as reformulation targets are necessary to improve the dietary intake of Canadians from restaurant foods.

On-Demand Delivery Platforms and Restaurant Sales

Restaurants are increasingly relying on on-demand delivery platforms (e.g., DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats) to reach customers and fulfill takeout orders. Although on-demand delivery is a valuable option for consumers, whether restaurants benefit from or are being hurt by partnering with these platforms remains unclear. This paper investigates whether and to what extent the platform delivery channel substitutes restaurants’ own takeout/dine-in channels and the net impact on restaurant revenue. Empirical analyses show that restaurants overall benefit from on-demand delivery platforms—these platforms increase restaurants’ total takeout sales while creating positive spillovers to customer dine-in visits. However, the platform effects are substantially heterogeneous, depending on the type of restaurants (independent versus chain) and the type of customer channels (takeout versus dine-in). The overall positive effect on fast-food chains is four times as large as that on independent restaurants. For takeout, delivery platforms substitute independent restaurants’ but complement chain restaurants’ own takeout sales. For dine-in, delivery platforms increase both independent and chain restaurants’ dine-in visits by a similar magnitude. Therefore, the value of delivery platforms to independent restaurants mostly comes from the increase in dine-in visits, whereas the value to chain restaurants primarily comes from the gain in takeout sales. Further, the platform delivery channel facilitates price competition and reduces the opportunity for independent restaurants to differentiate with premium services and dine-in experience, which may explain why independent restaurants do not benefit as much from on-demand delivery platforms. This paper was accepted by D. J. Wu, information systems. Funding: Z. Li is grateful to the National Science Foundation Division of Social and Economic Sciences for support provided through the CAREER award [Grant 2243736]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.01010 .

Trends in availability and nutritional profile of meat-based vs meat-free menu items in 75 large chain restaurants in the United States 2013-2021

Introduction: Chain restaurants are ubiquitous in the United States. While restaurants are increasingly promoting health- and climate-conscious menu options, few studies have examined whether restaurants are increasing availability of menu items with lower climate impact and whether these offerings are healthier. This study examines trends in the availability and nutritional profile of food items featuring different meat sources on menus at 75 large chain restaurants in the US from 2013-2021. MethodsLongitudinal data on menu items from 75 large US chain restaurants from 2013-2021 were obtained from MenuStat.org, an online database of menu items from the largest grossing restaurant chains in the US. Annual counts and proportions of food items featuring different meat sources were calculated overall, by food category, and by restaurant type. Differences in predicted mean calories between meat-based items and meat-free items were calculated (overall, by restaurant type, by year) using linear regression models with clustered standard errors. ResultsAvailability and calorie content of meat-based versus meat-free items were generally stable over time. Availability of chicken-containing items increased and there was an absolute reduction in the availability of beef-containing menu items (p-trends <0.001). Total calories and calories from protein, unsaturated fat, and saturated fat were lower among meat-free items versus meat-based items. However, calories from sugar were higher for meat-free items. Conclusions: While meat-free items had fewer calories and some aspects of nutritional profile were more favorable, the availability of meat-free menu items has not increased in large chain restaurants, suggesting limited improvement on reducing climate impact.

Adaptive Strategies: Algorithmic Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Manager-Frontline Employee Communication Model in Restaurants

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on an independent restaurant chain in Puebla, Mexico, through longitudinal censuses with employees who had direct contact with diner guests (frontline employees) in 2019 and 2023. The survey data was analyzed through the algorithm Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) to balance sample sizes and Information Gain to determine the dependence between the study variables. The results revealed the health crisis has led to changes in pivotal factors that drove better performance from frontline employees and managers in restaurants in Mexico. After the pandemic, frontline employees began to favor standard compliance due to the reinforcement of hygiene protocols. However, there are implications for the structure of teams and work styles on account of the decline in the number of frontline employees and the creation of multifunctional positions. Regarding the manager's factors, Linear Communication, which consists of providing clear and timely information, has become more relevant. While, there has been a decrease in Dynamic Communication oriented towards dialogue and Productive Communication focused on participation and the achievement of objectives. COVID-19 has accentuated the vulnerability of female frontline employees, who, since the pandemic, occupy multifunctional positions; the number of employees has decreased in greater proportion than the number of restaurants that have closed, impacting team dynamics; the most affected restaurants are located in automotive industrial parks, while restaurants in tourist or commercial areas have managed to maintain their workforce. The selected independent restaurant chain has focused on the functional aspects of the restaurant, as denoted by their current transactional leadership style and hierarchical organizational culture. However, there is an important theoretical implication related to the post-pandemic context, characterized by the presence of multifunctional roles and the pressure to meet customer service standards. Frontline employees have adopted individualistic behaviors, negatively impacting collaborative teamwork. These finding challenges existing literature that often emphasizes the positive aspects of employee empowerment and multifunctionality; it suggests that, under certain conditions, these factors may inadvertently hinder team cohesion and collaborative efforts. This study highlights the need to capitalize on Mexican restaurants by not only valuing the strategies from senior management but also by incorporating interpersonal perspectives from frontline employees to improve the organization in procedural and relational terms to adapt to future crises. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-05-021 Full Text: PDF

The Impact of Sponsorship Disclosure by Social Media Influencers on Brand Love in the fast-food chain restaurants in Egypt

The Impact of Sponsorship Disclosure by Social Media Influencers on Brand Love in the fast-food chain restaurants in Egypt

The impact of fast-food energy posting on college students’ food purchases

BackgroundThe Patient Protection US Affordable Care Act (ACA) energy posting mandate requires restaurant chains to disclose information on the energy content of their food items. Assessments of the effect of menu energy labeling on dietary choices have reported inconsistent findings. ObjectivesThis study examined the impact of menu energy labeling on food items purchased by college students after the mandate was enacted nationally. MethodsStudent food sales data from purchases made at 3 fast-food restaurants during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years at a university campus were used for the analysis. The total sample included 1662 students on the university meal plan; these students generated 145,295 food transactions at the restaurants over the study period. We utilized a difference-in-differences (DiD) empirical strategy, comparing changes in transaction-level energy purchases at 2 fast-food restaurants B and C (FFRB and FFRC – treatment groups) that posted energy information in the summer of 2018 with another fast-food restaurant A (FFRA – control group) that began posting energy information before the study period. ResultsWe observed increases in the mean energy content per transaction after implementing the menu-labeling policy. The DiD estimates found an increase of 20.6 in the mean calories of energy purchased per transaction at the treatment restaurants relative to the control restaurant. In the subgroup analyses, the DiD estimates indicated calories of energy increased: 18.7 for female students, 20.5 for male students, 23.5 for non-Hispanic Black students, 30.2 for students eligible for federal financial aid, and 19.9 for students not eligible for federal financial aid. ConclusionsThe results suggest that the ACA energy menu-labeling policy led to an increase in the energy content per transaction by students at a public university. This paper highlights the need for more research to better understand the determinants of food choice among college students.

Navigating Uncertainty: Evaluating the Pandemic's Impact on Warung Upnormal's Expansion Strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to the food and beverage industry, impacting consumption patterns and economic dynamics. This research aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the expansion strategy of Warunk Upnormal, one of the leading restaurant chains in Indonesia. This research employs a case study approach to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food and beverage industry in Indonesia. the pandemic led to a 40% decline in sales, necessitating adaptations like transitioning to take-away-only operations. While foot traffic gradually recovered post-pandemic, changing consumer preferences prompted the closure of multiple outlets. Financial strains exacerbated by the franchise model underscored the delicate balance between profitability and operational sustainability. Similarly, other startups like Kopi Kenangan faced challenges despite alternative business strategies. Roy Mandey of the Indonesian Retailers Association emphasizes the importance of adaptability and innovation in navigating volatile market conditions. Sustained innovation and a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences will be crucial for future success in the post-pandemic landscape.

Investigation and Analysis of McDonald's Market Development

As a large restaurant chain, McDonald's is affected by different external and internal factors, which makes investors begin to question its sustainable operation ability. This study takes McDonald's as an example to explore the development issues of the catering industry through its business situation. This article studies the sustainability of McDonald's stock price in the future and evaluates its continued investment potential. Therefore, based on the financial data of McDonald's and its competitors during the period from 2020 to 2023, the expected value is estimated by combining quantitative research methods and relative value evaluation methods. The results of the study show that McDonald's financial performance in the past few years has been good, including good capital structure, short-term debt repayment ability and profitability. Investors can make a long-term investment in McDonald's stock based on a sound financial position and good market expectations. This study has important practical significance for the healthy development of catering.

Creating a Sustainable Narrative: The Interplay of Ecological Agriculture, Cultural Heritage, and Community Efficacy in Contemporary China

Abstract Highlighting the situational, creative strategics implemented by local actors for encouraging dynamic interactions among culinary heritage, cultural tourism, and ecosystem, this study presents two case studies from southeast-central China: Dongjiao Center for Porcelain History and Cultural Exchange in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, and Changsha Banquets, a restaurant chain in Changsha, Hunnan Province. Together, they embody the author’s ongoing research on heritage education, cultural tourism, and sustainable development in contemporary China. This article provides an overview and analysis of the developing forms of sustainable tourism and heritage education enacted by individual social actors since 1985, when China signed the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, against the backdrop of China’s economic growth, sustainable consumption, and most importantly, the rising public awareness of heritage protection. The author argues that these individual entities develop sustainable cultural tourism through social media and creative contents that are not a part of China’s mainstream state-funded food media.

A study of the influence of the stability of the population's income and expenditure on the development of restaurant chains

This study examines the connection between the income of Chinese residents and the expansion of restaurant chains from 2005 to 2021. It employs multiple methodologies, such as an evaluation index system, the entropy value method, and the coupled coordination degree model. There are sixteen indicators divided into two groups: residents' income and expenditures, and restaurant chain expansion. The analysis reveals the following trends: instability from 2005 to 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis; regional disparities from 2010 to 2014; and coordinated development from 2015 to 2021 as a result of government policies that stimulate domestic demand. This research contributes to strategic planning and decision-making in the hotel, catering, and tourism industries by assessing the effect of Chinese residents' stable income and expenditures on restaurant chains.

A STUDY ON THE REGIONAL MARKET POSITIONING OF BZ RESTAURANT CHAIN COMPANIES: A CASE STUDY OF CHENGDU

BZ Catering Chain Company is a large catering service company that operates authentic Sichuan hotpot. Its headquarters are located in Chengdu. The company’s Dalongyi Hot Pot launched its legendary journey in Yulin, Chengdu in 2013. This paper primarily examines the regional market positioning of BZ Catering Chain Company in the Chengdu market, as well as the upcoming launches of new products. This paper concentrates on the various aspects that BZ Catering Chain Company should take into account, ranging from conducting market research to determining its regional market positioning, and exploring strategies to increase consumer preference for the company's products. Furthermore, it examines the factors that will affect consumers' willingness to buy. This paper examines the BZ restaurant chain's product positioning from the perspective of consumer purchasing behavior. Based on a combination of empirical analysis and marketing environment analysis, BZ Catering Chain Company should position its products mid-to-high-end, focus on product quality, and use price competition as a marketing tool at specific times and in specific regions. After securing initial profits, it should leverage the advantages of high quality and low price to quickly penetrate the market.

Political Organisational Silence and the Ethics of Care: EU Migrant Restaurant Workers in Brexit Britain

In this paper, we explore the experiences of EU migrants working in UK restaurants in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. We do so through a care ethics lens, which we bring together with the integrative approach to organisational silence to consider the ethical consequences of the organisational policies of political silence adopted by the restaurant chains in our qualitative empirical study. We develop the concept of political organisational silence and probe its ethical dimensions, showing how at the organisational level it falls short of constituting a practice of caring for migrant workers in politically divisive and hostile times. We argue that organisational policies of political silence emphasise the exploitative nature of the business of (im)migration, which prioritises concern for profits over care for the needs of others. Organisations refuse caring responsibility for migrant workers, leaving care to the migrants themselves and their co-workers and managers. Whilst peer-care practices partially fill this politically silent care-vacuum, this leaves individuals to negotiate difficult tensions without institutional support at a time of increased uncertainty, complexity, hostility, violence, and vulnerability. Drawing lessons from our study and its aftermath, we call for a care manifesto to inform the business of (im)migration, which would need to include caring political responsibility towards migrant workers exercised through caring political organisational voice as well as silence.

The value of data, machine learning, and deep learning in restaurant demand forecasting: Insights and lessons learned from a large restaurant chain

The restaurant industry has been slow to adopt analytics for the supply chain, operations, and demand forecasting, with limited research on this sector. The COVID-19 pandemic's significant impact on the restaurant industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors, has underscored the need for digital technologies and advanced analytics for managing supply chains and making operational decisions. This paper presents a collaborative study with one of the largest restaurant chains in the United States, highlighting the value of advanced data analytics in forecasting restaurant demand. The study offers insights into the benefit of integrating external data, including macroeconomic and pandemic-related factors, into demand forecasting. It explores traditional machine learning algorithms and state-of-the-art deep learning architectures, evaluating their effectiveness in the context of the restaurant industry. The paper further discusses the implications of utilizing advanced forecasting models, providing valuable insights for the restaurant industry in the face of supply chain disruptions and pandemics.

Capitalism on a bun: Profitable reconciliations and fast-food chicken sandwiches

Simple restaurant menu choices speak to more complex practices and processes. This study uses fast-food chicken sandwiches to understand the way in which capitalism reconciles apparent contradictions profitably. Capitalism has been conceptualized as a system riddled with contradictions, but it is also characterized by synthesis. There can be harmony – and capital accumulation – in juxtaposition. A qualitative analysis of trade journal articles is undertaken. Scholarly sources and journalistic exposés that examine industrial-scale chicken production are also examined. These publications feature information about specific products, restaurant chains and the fast-food industry overall. Thematic analysis and a contrapuntal reading of texts are used to identify patterns across the data. Fast-food chicken sandwiches, it is argued, are the outcome of a series of profitable reconciliations. These reconciliations encompass a series of seemingly contradictory tendencies that exist in tandem and in a manner conducive to making money. The disconnect that many North Americans experience with respect to the production of their food can be counterbalanced with the various connections addressed in this article. There is connection in the context of disconnection. Knowledge of the reconcilable qualities of capitalism enhances understanding of the crucial connections that structure the production, distribution and marketing of chicken sandwiches. Fluency with respect to capitalism and its complexities are helpful to those seeking to create economic value as well as promote more profound societal change. A single fast-food restaurant item can be emblematic of a series of connections. Through products of the commercial hospitality industry, one can achieve a deeper understanding of the functioning of capitalism. Comprehending hospitality contributes to efforts to comprehend the wider world.

Assessing the effectiveness of using personnel adaptation tools

In today's world of rapid changes and competition in the labor market, eff ective recruitment and retention of talented personnel is becoming an integral part of a successful business strategy. Alina Lizunova, the leader of the HR department of the MYBOX Asian and Japanese restaurant chain, told how to adapt employees so as to integrate a newcomer into the company's business processes for a long time and keep in touch with the candidate even after dismissal.

An Innovative Approach to Optimize Inbound Delivery Scheduling at Distribution Centers

Distribution centers (DCs) run more efficiently if their inbound deliveries are spread out evenly over the days of the week so that volume is aligned with receiving capacity. However, delivery dates are often scheduled at the time of placing purchase orders without an efficient process for spreading deliveries evenly, and there has been little research on how to optimally do this. This paper terms this process Master Purchase Receipt Scheduling (MPRS) and introduces a novel MPRS algorithm developed by New Horizon Soft, LLC using data from a major U.S. restaurant chain, where the algorithm is now in use. The approach optimizes order delivery dates, accounting for vendor shipping calendars, shipment sizes, and transportation uncertainty. Results from a Monte Carlo simulation validate the effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm. By addressing the complexities of DC operations, this innovation promises to reduce receiving bottlenecks, increase efficiency and capacity utilization, and foster additional research in this vital area.

The geosemiotics of urban transnationalism: a case study of Vietnamese commercial landscapes in Prague

This study analyzes the discursive social position of Vietnamese migrants represented by three types of Vietnamese commercial places: a large wholesale complex, Vietnamese-run grocery shops on local streets, and stylish chain restaurants in commercial centers. Guided by the notions of semiotic landscapes and geosemiotics, this study analyzes the semiotic dynamic among the spatial structures, visual images, and human activities in and around the study sites. The analysis demonstrates that the spatial representations of Vietnamese in Prague are associated with the spatial-visual discourses of the globalized city. The walled wholesale complex, situated on the margin of the city, serves to discursively segregate the diasporic community from the mainstream society. Ubiquitous grocery stores on local streets paradoxically signify the inconspicuousness of Vietnamese in Czech society. On the other hand, stylish Vietnamese restaurants in commercial centers add sophisticated cultural tastes and are included in the cosmopolitan dynamic of Prague. This geosemiotic study illustrates how geographical centrality and marginality are intertwined with migrants’ commercial practices, reflecting their multilayered positions in the socioeconomic strata of society. In transnational urban spaces, understanding the discursively associated ethnic markers and their urban locations provides important insights into the inclusive and exclusive dynamics of globalized cities.

Study on the Impact of Multi-brand Strategy on Perceived Value and Consumption Intention: A Case of the Chain Restaurant Industry

Abstract The restaurant service industry is highly competitive, and in recent years, multi-brand strategies have gained increasing importance. By differentiating various brands, businesses can cater to diverse consumer needs and preferences, thereby enhancing their market share. This study explores the impact of multi-brand strategies on the restaurant service industry, focusing on whether perceived value influences consumer purchase intentions within a multi-brand context. The findings aim to help businesses understand the advantages of developing multi-brand strategies and provide actionable recommendations. Using a survey methodology, this study collected and analyzed 238 valid samples. The results indicate that the development of multi-brand strategies positively impacts both the perceived value and the purchase intentions of consumers in the restaurant service industry, enhancing their perception and willingness to engage with the services offered. Keywords: Multi-brand, Perceived Value, Consumption Intention.