Calorie Changes in Chain Restaurant Menu Items

Abstract

Background Supply-side reductions to the calories in chain restaurants are a possible benefit of upcoming menu labeling requirements. Purpose To describe trends in calories available in large U.S. restaurants. Methods Data were obtained from the MenuStat project, a census of menu items in 66 of the 100 largest U.S. restaurant chains, for 2012 and 2013 (N=19,417 items). Generalized linear models were used to calculate: (1) the mean change in calories from 2012 to 2013, among items on the menu in both years; and (2) the difference in mean calories, comparing newly introduced items to those on the menu in 2012 only (overall and between core versus non-core items). Data were analyzed in 2014. Results Mean calories among items on menus in both 2012 and 2013 did not change. Large restaurant chains in the U.S. have recently had overall declines in calories in newly introduced menu items (−56 calories, 12% decline). These declines were concentrated mainly in new main course items (−67 calories, 10% decline). New beverage (−26 calories, 8% decline) and children’s (−46 calories, 20% decline) items also had fewer mean calories. Among chain restaurants with a specific focus (e.g., burgers), average calories in new menu items not core to the business declined more than calories in core menu items. Conclusions Large chain restaurants significantly reduced the number of calories in newly introduced menu items. Supply-side changes to the calories in chain restaurants may have a significant impact on obesity prevention.

Trends in Nutrient Content of Children’s Menu Items in U.S. Chain Restaurants

“…13 Several published studies have used this database to examine trends in nutritional quality of menu items at restaurants over time. 14–16 A description of MenuStat methods is published. 17 The sample of restaurant chains used in this study is a balanced panel; all chains offering children's items in each year from 2012 to 2015 were included ( n =45), with children's items designated as any item with “kid,” “child,” or “children” appearing in the menu item or its description.…”

“…Characteristics of restaurants were extracted from restaurants websites. 14 Restaurant chains were “national” if they were located in all U.S. census regions ( n =26); otherwise, they were “regional” ( n =19). Chains were “full service” if they offered table service ( n =16; e.g., Applebee's); “fast casual” if they offered at least two of the following: non-disposable utensils, onsite food preparation, no table service, or commitment to higher-quality or fresh ingredients or sustainability ( n =6; e.g., Chipotle); and, otherwise, were “fast food” ( n =23; e.g., Burger King).…”

Calorie Changes in Large Chain Restaurants

“…Our recent study evaluating calorie changes in large chain restaurants 1 found that the number of calories in newly introduced menu items in 2013 decreased by about 60 calories (or 12%) relative to 2012, possibly in anticipation of the final rule about menu labeling from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required by the 2010 Affordable Care Act. That rule mandates that calorie information be posted on menus and menu boards.…”

“…Should the recently observed downward trend in calories of newly introduced menu items in chain restaurants 1 persist (or increase in response to growing consumer demand for low-calorie options once the calories are posted), it could have a sizable impact on population obesity and help to prevent future obesity. In particular, reducing the caloric content of menu items in chain restaurants and other covered food outlets by approximately 60 calories may help to substantively reduce the daily number of excess calories underlying the obesity epidemic in adults (220 calories/day) 16 and children (165 calories/day).…”

Restaurants With Calories Displayed On Menus Had Lower Calorie Counts Compared To Restaurants Without Such Labels

“…8 Another study demonstrated that the calories in newly introduced menu items at large chain restaurants declined by an average of sixty calories per item (a 12 percent decline) from 2012 to 2013, although very few of these chains voluntarily introduced labeling. 9 …”