# Restaurant Chains that Have Improved Over Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 13, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375 "2020-01-13T22:31:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/1 "2020-01-13T22:31:51Z")
It’s my opinion that the standard life cycle of a restaurant chain reaches a point that they have an strong established customer base, along with enough of a reputation to continue to break into new markets, where they can simultaneously begin to cut corners without losing revenue. What chains do you feel buck this trend and, have improved the overall quality of their food products (either currently or in the past)? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/2 "2020-01-13T22:49:12Z")
I think many fast food chains have tried to up their perceived health and quality options, McD’s with fresh beef instead of frozen, BK with the impossible whopper. Papa Johns is infamous for this to the point they apologize with their corner cutting, admitted making crappy pizza and promised to reform which they did. Not so much chains, but collectively ski area cafeterias have gotten a lot more quality offerings however that has come at a much steeper price. The higher quality here was used as a reason to charge more. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/3 "2020-01-13T23:03:28Z")
The chain that’s been able to withstand the test of time is [Sambo’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambo%27s). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/4 "2020-01-13T23:24:39Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I think many fast food chains have tried to up their perceived health and quality options, McD’s with fresh beef instead of frozen, BK with the impossible whopper. I’m old enough to remember when McDonald’s sold one hamburger, one cheeseburger, one size of fries (which were fried in leftover beef fat), and one size of soda. It was a big deal when they added the Fillet O’ Fish so Catholics would eat there on Fridays. Fast food restaurants may not be particularly\* good\*, but they’re a whole lot better than they used to be. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/5 "2020-01-13T23:28:01Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Papa Johns is infamous for this to the point they apologize with their corner cutting, admitted making crappy pizza and promised to reform which they did Are you sure that wasn’t Domino’s? I remember a series of ads they put out talking about how they were changing the recipe because their pizza wasn’t all that great. I don’t remember any such ads from Papa Johns. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/6 "2020-01-13T23:48:36Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > I’m old enough to remember when McDonald’s sold one hamburger, one cheeseburger, one size of fries (which were fried in leftover beef fat), and one size of soda. It was a big deal when they added the Fillet O’ Fish so Catholics would eat there on Fridays. > > Fast food restaurants may not be particularly\* good\*, but they’re a whole lot better than they used to be. I have to disagree. The last McD burger I had was quite possibly the worst burger I’ve ever eaten. They didn’t use to be inedible. Same for BK. The Whopper was not a horrible sandwich in the 80s. I wouldn’t touch it today. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/7 "2020-01-14T00:03:52Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Are you sure that wasn’t Domino’s? I remember a series of ads they put out talking about how they were changing the recipe because their pizza wasn’t all that great. I don’t remember any such ads from Papa Johns. Domino’s is the chain that immediately leapt to mind at the thread title. If Papa John’s changed, I don’t know. I last had it a few weeks ago at a friend’s house and it tastes every bit as bad (to my tastes) as I remember it. That said, Domino’s in the early-mid-90s was my least favorite pizza franchise. I was a kid in college and I would rather eat at any fast food establishment than Domino’s. A few years ago, after hearing from many people they had changed their recipes and stuff and from getting a free Domino’s pizza with on T-Mobile Tuesdays give-away, I said, hell, I’ll give it a shot–I’m sure the kids will eat it. And I was pleasantly surprised. It had gotten considerably better, such that I’ve actually ordered it a few times since when I didn’t feel like cooking and didn’t want to spend much money. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/8 "2020-01-14T00:11:03Z")
Jack in the Box infected people with E coli and 4 died, they had only up to go from there. I don’t know if Wendy’s made any big changes, but it seems that they are more appreciated by the public than they were in the past. And PR group who runs their Twitter are routinely hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/9 "2020-01-14T00:13:53Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Jack in the Box infected people with E coli and 4 died, they had only up to go from there. > > I don’t know if Wendy’s made any big changes, but it seems that they are more appreciated by the public than they were in the past. And PR group who runs their Twitter are routinely hilarious. Oddly, I feel like they’ve gotten worse. Wendy’s was my favorite of the big three back in the 90s; now I only go there for the spicy chicken sandwich. I personally don’t think McDonald’s has changed much at all. I happen to enjoy McDonald’s, and their burgers today still remind me of the burgers I’d get as a kid in the 80s. With that same, distinct McDonald’s smell and taste that only McDonald’s can satisfy. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/10 "2020-01-14T00:38:13Z")
Arby’s, with all the new sandwiches. But I still prefer the classic roast beef, a guilty pleasure ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/11 "2020-01-14T01:15:24Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Are you sure that wasn’t Domino’s? I remember a series of ads they put out talking about how they were changing the recipe because their pizza wasn’t all that great. I don’t remember any such ads from Papa Johns. Maybe it was Domino’s. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/12 "2020-01-14T01:18:22Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > I’m old enough to remember when McDonald’s sold one hamburger, one cheeseburger, one size of fries (which were fried in leftover beef fat), and one size of soda. It was a big deal when they added the Fillet O’ Fish so Catholics would eat there on Fridays. Agreed. I’ve eaten at McD’s my entire life. Hell, the McDonald brother’s first restaurant was in my hometown. They are much better now. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/13 "2020-01-14T02:29:52Z")
Taco Bell’s dollar menu is so good, it makes it my favorite fast food restaurant in the business. They were good when I was a kid, but I always felt like outside Tacos and Soft Tacos(and an occasional Mexican pizza), they were never all that great. I know have lots of cheap options there. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/14 "2020-01-14T03:10:40Z")
FWIW my step dads cousin was married to the original owner of Dominos. My step dad taught us how to throw a pizza, he worked there while gong to university. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/15 "2020-01-14T06:10:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Agreed. I’ve eaten at McD’s my entire life. Hell, the McDonald brother’s first restaurant was in my hometown. > > They are much better now. Except for their fries. They’re not nearly as good as they were when I was a kid. But since they started all day breakfast? Lovely! ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/16 "2020-01-14T08:54:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I have to disagree. The last McD burger I had was quite possibly the worst burger I’ve ever eaten. They didn’t use to be inedible. Same for BK. The Whopper was not a horrible sandwich in the 80s. I wouldn’t touch it today. There seems to be such a disconnect with this sort of stuff for a few people. It’s possible that this happens across the world. Despite it seeming not. Let me explain. I do remember the first McDs I had in the 80s. Decent enough burgers. Big Mac was good. This was in Reading, UK. There weren’t that many of them around. A couple I know live in rural Hungary (ex-UK), and they often visit McD’s in Budapest. Them seem consistent. Probably the same if they’d got them in New York city. Big city standards. However, I lived in Stevenage, UK, a small town, with three McDs in such a small area. I had tokens, so used it a couple of times, because it was cheap. Horrible burgers. Nobody gave a crap. Standards slipped in that restaurant for sure. I had a quarter pounder and a big Mac (I don’t like fries), the quarter pounder was horrible and I would rate it as 2am burger van quality. The Big Mac is tiny (that might be the same around the world nowadays). Not been back for two years. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/17 "2020-01-14T12:28:04Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > … > > A couple I know live in rural Hungary (ex-UK), and they often visit McD’s in Budapest. Them seem consistent. Probably the same if they’d got them in New York city. Big city standards. > > However, I lived in Stevenage, UK, a small town, with three McDs in such a small area. I had tokens, so used it a couple of times, because it was cheap. Horrible burgers. Nobody gave a crap. Standards slipped in that restaurant for sure. I had a quarter pounder and a big Mac (I don’t like fries), the quarter pounder was horrible and I would rate it as 2am burger van quality. The Big Mac is tiny (that might be the same around the world nowadays). Not been back for two years. ‘Mainland’ european McD’s and BK seemed superior then the US counterparts. Part of that seemed to be more focus on fresh bread for the rolls, but only part. I can’t yet speak for UK fast food as I have not had any yet. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/18 "2020-01-14T12:40:28Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > The Big Mac is tiny (that might be the same around the world nowadays). Not been back for two years. The Big Mac has never been particularly “big” by today’s standards. It’s made with 10:1 (1.6 oz) patties, so together, they are less meat than a quarter pounder. (3.2 oz vs 4 oz.) Our idea of how big a burger should be, however, has changed. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/19 "2020-01-14T14:20:31Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > The chain that’s been able to withstand the test of time is [Sambo’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambo%27s). From one restaurant to over 1100, and then back to one. Props to Sambo’s! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375/20 "2020-01-14T14:47:18Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The Big Mac has never been particularly “big” by today’s standards. It’s made with 10:1 (1.6 oz) patties, so together, they are less meat than a quarter pounder. (3.2 oz vs 4 oz.) Our idea of how big a burger should be, however, has changed. It really got noticeable when they ditched the sleeve. The sleeve kept everything stacked and in order without squishing the lettuce down. Now they are just wadded together and show their real size. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-chains-that-have-improved-over-time/846375.md?page=2)