Top restaurant chains of 2016, as rated by consumers

The industry research firm Technomic today released the winners of its 2016 Consumers' Choice Awards for Chain Restaurants, and several of those restaurant chains have a strong presence (or in one case, a coming-soon presence) in the Dayton area and southwest Ohio.

The Chicago-based research firm asked consumers to rate 138 restaurant chains across the country on more than 60 attributes designed to capture the consumer experience from every angle, from the quality of the food to the overall brand reputation, according to a Technomic release.

The ongoing study reflects nearly 100,000 consumer visits annually, company officials said. Data from four quarters, fourth-quarter 2014 through third-quarter 2015, was analyzed, Technomic officials said.

“It’s important to point out that it’s the consumers who rated the chains and selected the winners,” Darren Tristano, president of Technomic, said in a release. “In essence, the award is from the customers themselves.”

The 2016 Chain Restaurant Consumers’ Choice Awards go to:

• Food quality, quick-service category: Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza

• Food quality, fast-casual category: Firehouse Subs

• Food quality, full-service restaurants: Bonefish Grill

• Intent to return, quick service: In-N-Out Burger

• Intent to return, fast-casual: Rubio's

• Intent to return, full-service: Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (coming soon to Cornerstone of Centerville)

• Provides value through service, quick-service: Chick-fil-A

• Provides value through service, fast casual: Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

• Provides value through service, full service: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

• Socially responsible, quick service: Ben & Jerry's

• Socially responsible, fast casual, Chipotle Mexican Grill

• Socially responsible, full service: Seasons 52

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About the Author

Mark Fisher

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.