What is Your Favorite Chain Restaurant? – Survey of the Day

I couldn't agree more that there is nothing better than a good local restaurant, but it seems like in many places there are fewer and fewer. It's the Wal-Mart effect, these big chains come into town and can sell decent food for a lot less money. But not all chain restaurants are bad, actually there are a few I really enjoy. What is your favorite national chain restaurant?

The results of the 2012 Consumer Picks survey were unveiled in the latest issue of Nation’s Restaurant News. Consumers rated brands in 10 areas including food quality, value, cleanliness, likelihood to return and a new category, “craveability.” Restaurants with the best “craveability” scores include:

Cracker Barrel – midscale/family restaurant
Cheesecake Factory – casual dining restaurant
Marble Slab Creamery – snack brands
In-N-Out Burger – limited service restaurant

Highest rated in “likelihood to return”:
Cracker Barrel – midscale/family restaurant
Mellow Mushroom – casual dining restaurant
Rita’s Italian Ice – snack brands
Papa Murphy’s Take & Bake – limited service restaurant