Best Chain Restaurants: Finding the Perfect Chain Restuarant for You
Top 25 Chain Restaurants:
1. Chipotle
Highlights: Quality and Fresh Ingredients, Easy Online Ordering for Pickup, Large Quantity of Food.
About Restaurant: Simple, fresh, and fast, Chipotle is a popular Mexican grill that could very well become a weekly meal staple for you. Chipotle dishes up burritos and other Mexican favorites with full transparency. Chipotle also offers vegetarian meal options and commits to local and organic food when practical.
2. Panera Bread
Highlights: Fresh Ingredients, Good Selection of Food Items, Fun Hangout Spot or Study Area.
About Restaurant: Panera Bread delivers quality sandwiches, salads, and soups at a reasonable price. It is part bakery, part café, but all well made and delicious food. Its ample dining room and free Wi-Fi also make it an ideal meeting and study place. So whether you are in and out, or looking to sit down and enjoy a meal, make sure that you give Panera Bread a try.
3. Outback Steakhouse
Highlights: Excellent Steaks and Specialty Dishes, Sit Down Restaurant or To-Go Option.
About Restaurant: A reasonably priced steakhouse with an Aussie twist, Outback Steakhouse has a variety of menu items. In addition to its steaks, some of its other fan favorites include the Blooming Onion, Alice Spring’s Chicken, and its Honey Wheat Bushman Bread. So enjoy a great meal down under at Outback next time you are in the mood for a steakhouse-type meal.
4. The Cheesecake Factory
Highlights: 250+ Menu Items to Select from, Fun Dining Environment, Large Selection of Cheesecakes.
About Restaurant: Yes, there is cheesecake in abundance at this restaurant (it’s in the name), but The Cheesecake Factory also has a plethora of other menu options as well. The Cheesecake Factory boasts everything from breakfast food to classic dinner options. With over 250 menu items all made from scratch, this is one of the best chain restaurants for those who like options.
5. Chick-fil-A
Highlights: Quality Fast-food, Excellent Service, Quality Chicken Options.
About Restaurant: Fast-food done right, Chick-fil-A is a popular restaurant with both kids and adults. Here, the chicken is done so well; the absence of beef on the menu isn’t even missed. Just be warned, though, Chick-fil-a can be a tad bit addicting. So be ready for a weekly habit of dining at this great restaurant once you give it a try.
6. Starbucks
Highlights: Large Selection of Coffee Based Drinks, Tasty Sandwiches and Other Food Options.
About Restaurant: It is hard to imagine that you have not heard of the coffee brand with the little green lady on it. If not, though, Starbucks offers excellent coffee, hot breakfasts, and tasty sandwiches as food options. You can make an entire meal out of your stop at Starbucks or stop in for a quick cup of coffee. It is also a great place to hang out with friends, study, or work.
7. Olive Garden
Highlights: Great for Both Lunch and Dinner, Italian Dining for Everyone.
About Restaurant: With endless soup, salad, and breadsticks, I am not sure how much more convincing you need. Just in case, though, Olive Garden also offers some of the best-priced Italian food out there. They offer all the staples of Italian cuisine and even some specialty dishes.
You will definitely be able to satisfy your Italian cravings at Olive Garden. Add in the fantastic desserts and a great wine to pair your meal with, and you will quickly see why Olive Garden is one of the best chain restaurants.
8. Smoothie King
Highlights: Tasty and Filling, Plenty of Smoothie Flavor Options to Choose From.
About Restaurant: Whether as a meal replacement or just because you are craving a delicious smoothie, Smoothie King is going to be your go-to spot. With plenty of different great-tasting options, you will be able to try something new each time or stick to your tried and true favorite.
Also, with specific days of the week having different deals, you can time up your trip for great taste and savings. And who knows, you may be inspired to try your hand at making some delicious homemade smoothies as well.
9. Chili’s
Highlights: Casual Dining Environment, Plenty of Dishes to Choose From.
About Restaurant: Best known for its iconic baby back ribs and bottomless chips and salsa, Chili’s is going to have an item on the menu for everyone. From burgers to steak to pasta and much more, you will have a wide variety of great-tasting food choices at Chili’s. Add in some of their great-tasting specialty drinks, and you will be glad that you stopped in at Chili’s.
10. Red Lobster
Highlights: Seafood Dining for Everyone, Free Cheddar Biscuits, Fun Dining Environment.
About Restaurant: If you love seafood, then Red Lobster is about to be your new go-to restaurant. From the free cheddar biscuits to the excellent tasting seafood options, you will be glad that you chose Red Lobster. Along with great seafood, they also offer some great land food choices as well. And, oh yeah, at different times of the year, they run an all-you-can-eat shrimp special.
11. P.F. Chang’s
Highlights: Quality Asian Cuisine, Quality Ingredients Done Right.
About Restaurant: If you like made from scratch food, P.F. Chang’s is going to blow you away. Their simple ingredients come together to create a masterpiece of Asian cuisine. They take the 2,000-year-old history of wok cooking and apply it to their kitchen today. Dishes like Ginger Chicken with Broccoli, Wok-Fired Filet Mignon, and a ton of other great dishes highlight the P.F. Chang’s menu.
12. Jersey Mike’s
Highlights: Quality Meats, Toppings, and Bread, Excellent Selection of Sub Options.
About Restaurant: At Jersey Mike’s, quality is everything. From the meat to the bread to the veggies, everything is prepared with the customer in mind. If you love a good sandwich, Jersey Mike’s is going to be a must.
They also offer a good variety of sandwiches to choose from as well. So whether you are a stick to the regular kind of guy or girl, or like to mix it up, Jersey Mike’s will give you plenty of great sandwich options to choose from.
13. Texas Roadhouse
Highlights: Fun Dining Experience, Excellent Entrees and Sides, Generous Portions.
About Restaurant: Casual dining at its finest, Texas Roadhouse will allow you to throw peanut shells on the floor as you wait. They will then provide you with excellent dining options and generous portions.
While they offer some great tasting steaks, they also have a variety of other great dishes as well. So whether you are in the mood for a steak or not, Texas Roadhouse is an excellent option for both lunch and dinner and one of the best chain restaurants.
14. Boston Market
Highlights: Homestyle Cooking, Quick and Friendly Service, Large Selection of Items to Choose From.
About Restaurant: Self-labeled the rotisserie chicken experts, Boston Market provides homestyle cooking. Their meals will leave you satisfied like you just finished a holiday dinner with the family. For the main dishes, they offer more than chicken too.
They also offer ribs, meatloaf, sandwiches, and more. With sides like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread to round out your dinner, you are going to be in good hands with Boston Market.
15. Bonefish Grill
Highlights: Excellent Seafood Dining, Great Service, and More of an Intimate Dining Experience.
About Restaurant: Whether you are a fish expert or not, Bonefish Grill is going to allow you to find the perfect dish for you. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect seafood dish and wine to pair with it. You will be happy that you chose Bonefish Grill for your next night out. Try pairing dinner at Bonefish Grill with one of our great date night ideas for your next night out.
16. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Highlights: Excellent Barbeque, Quick and Friendly Service, Free Soft-Serve Ice Cream.
About Restaurant: If you love good barbecue, look no further than Dickey’s. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit does everything well, from pulled pork to beef brisket to ribs, you really can’t go wrong. Now throw in side dishes like mac and cheese, slaw, barbecue beans, and more, and you will be in barbecue heaven. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that they also offer free soft-serve ice cream as well?
17. Coldstone Creamery
Highlights: Specialty Ice Cream Combinations, Quality Ingredients.
About Restaurant: Who says ice cream can’t be a meal? Not us! Perfect as a meal on its own or after dinner, Coldstone Creamery should be your go-to ice cream spot. With specialty ice cream combinations to a mix and match option that is all your own, this is one ice cream spot that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
18. Mellow Mushroom
Highlights: Unique Pizza Flavors and Options, Unique Restaurant Decor, More than Just Pizza.
About Restaurant: For an outside-of-the-pizza-box experience (sorry I had to), Mellow Mushroom is going to be a great option. They offer unique pizza combinations like the Funky Q. Chicken and the Holy Shiitake Pie that will put most pizza places to shame. Outside of pizza, they also offer some great-tasting salads and other menu items. So next time you are thinking pizza, get a little bit adventurous and give Mellow Mushroom a try.
19. Buffalo Wild Wings
Highlights: Fun Sports Bar Dining Experience, Quality Food, and Excellent Sauces.
About Restaurant: Not just for watching the big game, Buffalo Wild Wings is going to offer a great sports bar food menu as well. Centered around buffalo wings (naturally), they also provide other great menu options. If you are a wing fanatic, though, you definitely need to try them out.
Their traditional or boneless wings come in one of sixteen sauces or five seasonings that are sure to have you wanting to order more. Give Buffalo Wild Wings a try, and we are pretty sure that it will become your new destination to watch your favorite sports team.
20. Bahama Breeze
Highlights: Fun Surf and Turf Dining, Plenty of Menu Items to Select From.
About Restaurant: From surf to turf and everything in between, Bahama Breeze just does it right. With a great atmosphere and a ton of great food options, it is easy to see why they made this list of the best chain restaurants.
They have all of the regular menu items when it comes to steak and seafood, but they also offer some unique dishes like a Curry Goat Bowl as well. So whether you like to stick with the traditional food options or want to get a little bit adventurous, Bahama Breeze is a great option.
21. Denny’s
Highlights: Open 24/7, Offers Both Breakfast and Dinner Options, Very Reasonably Priced.
About Restaurant: Primarily known for its breakfast foods, great prices, and being open 24/7, Denny’s is going to be a great choice day or night. Not just breakfast food, though, they offer a wide variety of food options. They even offer you the ability to mix and match some different food items to create your desired meal. For consistent diner food, no matter what hour of the day or night, give Denny’s a try.
22. Five Guys
Highlights: Build Your Own Burger Option, Quality Ingredients, Quick Service.
About Restaurant: Fresh and straightforward, Five Guys produces consistently good burgers and fries. Made fresh to order, Five Guys also provides a variety of free topping options. Patrons will be allowed to create their perfect burger. As great as the burgers are, the fries also deserve a shout-out as well. We recommend the Cajun-style seasoning on your fries.
23. Cheddar’s
Highlights: Made from Scratch Dishes, Large Portion Sized, Fun and Friendly Dining Atmosphere.
About Restaurant: With large portion sizes and exceptional value, Cheddar’s offers a family-friendly casual dining venue. It doesn’t hurt that their food is made from scratch either! So if you are in the mood for some quality comfort food that is sure to hit the spot, make sure that you give Cheddar’s a try.
24. Papa John’s Pizza
Highlights: Quality and Consistent Pizzas, Each Pizza Comes with a Signature Garlic Dipping Sauce.
About Restaurant: Boasting quality ingredients and signature sauces, Papa John’s Pizza are in more than 30 countries. That, coupled with its good value for the money, makes Papa John’s Pizza a notable chain restaurant. Be warned, though; after eating pizza with Papa John’s signature garlic sauce, you won’t be able to eat pizza without it again.
25. Cracker Barrel
Highlights: Down Home Cooking, Fun and Friendly Service, Excellent Breakfast and Dinner Dining Options.
About Restaurant: Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cracker Barrel is down-home cooking at its finest. In addition to delicious country cooking, they also offer a country store, stocked full of a variety of quality merchandise. For great food and a family-friendly environment, give Cracker Barrel a try.
