TripAdvisor Names Top U.S. Restaurant Chains

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TripAdvisor launched a new ranking revealing the top restaurant chains in the U.S. for 2019 based on millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor diners. In this first-ever list, TripAdvisor highlights 30 restaurant chains of all types – inclusive of fine dining, casual dining, quick service and fast casual.

Honorees are organized into three categories based on the number of property locations listed on TripAdvisor: small, medium and large.

Chain restaurants are integral to the American dining experience as they offer consumers convenient and satisfying meals for all occasions.

Rankings for each restaurant chain were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews from all of a chain's property locations that were listed on TripAdvisor during a 12-month period. 

"Chain restaurants are integral to the American dining experience as they offer consumers convenient and satisfying meals for all occasions," said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president for TripAdvisor Restaurants. "For the first time, TripAdvisor is ranking restaurant chains that provide exemplary food, service and value to diners. Every company featured in these rankings should be proud of the recognition they are receiving from TripAdvisor's community of millions of travelers and locals searching our site for a great place to eat.

“We are thrilled about this recognition and we’ll continue to make the Bonefish Grill experience unique at each of our locations by catering to local tastes,” said David Schmidt, president of Bonefish Grill. “We are grateful that our guests are excited about what we offer, including our locally-inspired dishes, and that they share their positive experiences with TripAdvisor.”

“We are proud to be recognized as a top restaurant chain by TripAdvisor’s diners for our quality of our food and the outstanding service our team members deliver across the country,” said Bob Johnston, CEO of Front Burner, the restaurant management company for The Melting Pot. “It is part of our 43-year old culture to provide our guests an exceptional interactive dining experience like no other. We’re more than just a restaurant. For every occasion we create memorable moments for our guests.”

Best U.S. Restaurant Chains 

Top 10 Small Chains (10-50 locations)
  1. Eddie V's Prime Seafood
  2. Seasons 52
  3. Houston's

    houston

  4. Ocean Prime
  5. J. Alexander's
  6. Fogo de Chão 
  7. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
  8. Half Shell Oyster House

    half shell

  9. Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
  10. Maggiano's Little Italy
Top 10 Medium Chains (51-100 locations)
  1. The Capital Grille
  2. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
  3. Texas de Brazil

    texas

  4. Yard House
  5. BRIO Tuscan Grille
  6. Portillo's

    portillos

  7. Morton's The Steakhouse
  8. The Melting Pot
  9. Sweet Tomatoes

    sweet tomatoes

  10. Another Broken Egg Cafe
Top 10 Large Chains (101+ locations)
  1. Ruth's Chris Steak House
  2. The Cheesecake Factory
  3. Bonefish Grill
  4. Texas Roadhouse
  5. Mellow Mushroom
  6. In-N-Out Burger

    in and out

  7. First Watch The Daytime Cafe
  8. Jason's Deli
  9. Corner Bakery Cafe

    corner

  10. Blaze Pizza

Top U.S. Restaurant Chain rankings are based on the quality, quantity and recency of reviews from TripAdvisor diners from December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2018 for each chain's property locations and/or franchised businesses listed on TripAdvisor. Recognized chains have a minimum average rating of 4 out of 5 bubbles across all properties listed on TripAdvisor and an average of at least 100 reviews per property and/or franchise location listed on TripAdvisor.

Small chains are classified as those with 10-50 U.S. locations listed on TripAdvisor, medium chains have 51-100 U.S. locations listed on TripAdvisor, and large chains have 101 or more U.S. locations listed on TripAdvisor.