NEW YORK - During a five-year period (2006 to 2011),
low-calorie drinks and food drove growth for all chain restaurants, according
to The Hudson Institute??s "Lower-Calorie Foods: It??s Just Good Business" study.
The study looked at nearly two-dozen of the biggest U.S.
restaurant chains, including Applebee??s, Arby??s, Burger King, McDonald??s, Olive
Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panera, Red Lobster, Taco Bell and Wendy??s. The
vast majority of the chains (17 out of 21) reported that reduced calorie menu
items sold better than regular menu items.
Nine of the chains upped the list of low-calorie menu
options during that time period, and realized a 5.5% same-store sales bump on
average. The dozen chains that didn??t tinker with the number of low-calorie
options registered a 5.5% same-store sales drop on average. The chains with
more reduced-calorie menu items also saw a jump in traffic, while traffic at
the other chains decreased.
Some of the chains in the study have advertised food choices
by calories, such as Applebee??s under 500 calorie dishes and McDonald??s
"Favorites under 400 Calories" menu. The report focused on the number of
low-calorie menu items sold, not offered. The study also defined low-calorie
sandwiches and entrees as having less than 500 calories.
"This report suggests that the smart [chains] will get it
and be more aggressive" in offering low-calorie options, said Hank Cardello,
the report??s lead author. The study emphasized "lower-calorie foods and
beverages is a proven pathway to improved servings, traffic and sales" and
"public health officials and policymakers need to heed core restaurant
chain business metrics in order to most effectively work with [the] industry to
address the obesity epidemic."