"Affordable, familiar and reassuring are the features that make American chain restaurants a near-ubiquitous presence throughout the country; it is almost as if they are baked into our roadside culture. Despite well-documented financial struggles, a tough economy and shifting diet trends, these restaurants withstand time. This series explores why these places have such strong staying power and how they stay afloat at a time of rapid change."
"We asked readers what comes to mind when they think of restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebee's or Texas Roadhouse and you shared plenty of stories. Not all of the respondees waxed poetic about the merit of these restaurants. David Horton, 62, from New York, for example, said: "The food is mostly frozen and only has flavor from the incredible amounts of sodium they use.""
American chain restaurants remain widespread because they offer affordability, familiarity, and reassuring consistency that fit roadside and suburban life. Many of these restaurants face financial struggles, a tough economy, and shifting diet trends, yet they continue operating by leveraging nostalgia, controlling costs, and embracing social media for advertising. Patrons often associate these restaurants with vivid childhood memories, rites of passage, and celebrations, while some criticize food quality and high sodium. The sensory links between food, smell, and memory help explain the strong emotional attachments that keep diners returning.
Read at www.npr.org
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