Why are places like Applebee's, Olive Garden, Cheesecake Factory, and Chili's so popular?

Question

A lot of the questions in the "dining out" section are about Applebee's, Olive Garden, Chili's, Cheesecake Factory, etc. That makes me incredibly sad. While I think each place has at least one redeeming quality, there are so many restaurants that put these places to shame.

Why are these places so popular? I'm no food snob. I'll eat there if a group of friends wants to go there, but I'll suggest a local or tastier chain before going just for the sake of encouraging people to try new things.

Is it that people think local places are more expensive (not always true)? Is it that people are afraid to try new things? What's the deal?

As an example, on any given Friday night, the Olive Garden in my city (there's only one) has a wait of one and a half to two hours. But if you go to a local Italian American place called Mezzodi's, you can usually get right in. It costs about the same, and the food is DRASTICALLY better. Everyone I know that has gone to Mezzodi's has loved it.

So, what gives?

Answer 1

Its acombination of good marketing and convienience ,ie youre friends and yourself included may be fairly familiar with the menu's availible and especially if you are in a group of friends there will be something that everyone agrees on that they can eat so there again you have reason for the norm ,smaller places are all about measuring up to the competition and Mezzodis sounds like they are more than up to the challenge ,now it's just up to somebody like youreself to change the perceptions and eating patterns of you're mates .

Good Luck

Answer 2

we as people want name brand items only ..if its where we are eating dinner, grocery shoping, buying clothes or whatever.. it is  it has to be a name brand  place.. the other dont really get the recongition unless u have been there to know or if someone has referred u.. But thats even better u really dont want ur local bar/resturant to get to busy for the locals.

Answer 3

I honestly wonder the same thing myself. I couldn't really care for any of the mentioned places. If I'm going to eat out I really want to enjoy. I go to my local place and love it. It has a huge wait on busy nights but it's the only place like it and the food and prices are great! I think more people go to those places because they haven't tried other things. Sure if they tried other places they would branch off but some people just stick to what they know...

Answer 4

i have to same problem, everytime i want to go somewhere everyone suggests a chain. i figured out that they are SAFE. it is safe food that really doesnt surprise you. people like safe. not me i have two favorites in my town , bellabella and masa. they rock and applebees does not!

force people to try somewhere new and eat something different and fresh and maybe theyll stop making safe choices on there food.