Beyond the dollar menu: Fast food diners value quality over price
The fast-food landscape is changing in response to the growing demand that food be better tasting, healthier, and sustainable. In the latest聽聽analysis of the fast-food industry, including the burgeoning fast-casual market, customers indicated that the聽聽The same survey, which evaluated 65 restaurants, both regional and national, found that fast-food behemoths such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, and KFC, were rated the worst dining options due to taste and freshness. 聽
What is working for consumers are chains such as聽听补苍诲听聽both of which were ranked as top restaurant choices. What else do these two chains have in common? They both have recently made headlines by stating their commitment to 鈥渃lean food.鈥�
In a statement issued last month, Panera Bread Company announced that they would eliminate all artificial ingredients by 2016. Already an industry leader for the past decade through the purchase of antibiotic-free chicken, Panera鈥檚 newest聽continues the tradition of focusing on high quality food. The policy centers around three key objectives: 鈥渃lean ingredients, transparent menu, and positive impact.鈥�
鈥淲hat started as a visit to a Pennsylvania chicken farm had developed into a new business strategy鈥攐ne with dedication to quality built on greater awareness of production methods,鈥� explains Scott Davis Executive Vice President & Chief Concept & Innovation Officer at Panera Bread, 鈥淎fter seeing the difference between conventional and antibiotic-free chicken, Panera became compelled to witness production methods of all ingredients, not just chicken.鈥�
In a similar vein, Chipotle鈥檚聽聽takes a holistic approach towards food that is 鈥渞aised with respect for the animals, the environment and the farmers.鈥� Since the opening of its first location in 1993, Chipotle has taken a critical look at the food it serves. Among other initiatives, the chain has moved to use only naturally raise pork, chicken, and beef products. Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle, has also testified before Congress about the use of antibiotics in agriculture saying,聽
