KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Nine in ten Americans who have ever made food-related New Year's resolutions have broken them according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar(R).
Among the reasons cited were too many restrictions and not enough flavors, with the most popular response being "I like to eat what I want, when I want."
With Applebee's new Unbelievably Great Tasting and Under 550 Calories dishes, including garlic marinated steak, sizzling Asian shrimp and Chili Lime chicken, Americans can now enjoy low-calorie, full-size dishes that don't sacrifice flavors.
Applebee's surveyed U.S. adults via Harris Interactive Dec. 19 - 21, 2011 on their attitudes toward New Year's food-related resolutions.
Findings among U.S. adults surveyed by the largest casual dining chain include:
"This is clearly not diet food," said Chef Shannon Johnson, executive director at Applebee's. "Even when they are watching their calories, our guests want great flavors, choices including proteins and carbs and full-size portions. With our Under 550 menu, the only thing missing is the calories."
Applebee's has enhanced more than 80 percent of its menu in the past two years and was recently named tops for overall value in an annual consumer restaurant chain survey conducted by Market Force Information.
Applebee's continues its leadership role for providing guests with better eating choices and value with fresh new flavors, including two Sizzling Entrees, for a great price.
The new selections include:
They join the wildly popular Signature Sirloin & Garlic Herb Shrimp and Grilled Dijon Chicken & Portobellos, giving Applebee's guests five great tasting, lower calorie selections. The Signature Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp was Applebee's top seller among all entrees during the first two months of 2011, which marked the first time in Applebee's history that a lower calorie entree was the best-selling independent menu item.
Applebee's (www.applebees.com) is the world's largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming, neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar(R) is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) brand, and is franchised and operated by Applebee's Services, Inc. and its affiliates.
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Applebee's from December 19-21, 2011 among 2,292 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Derek Farley with DFPR, 704-941-7352.
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through its North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help it -- and its clients -- stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
DFPR
Derek Farley
704-941-7353
Tom Beyer
480-358-8135
Applebee's Grill & Bar brings together a lively bar & grill experience offering hand-crafted drinks and cravable, simple, American food with flare featuring vibrant flavors and real, fresh ingredients.