Reaction to the new legislation has been mixed, but positive overall on the part of the restaurant franchises and the National Restaurant Association, the industry’s trade group and the National Franchise Association. In the end, the bill is a compromise between a stricter version backed by health industry organisations and one which the restaurant industry supported that would not have required calorie counts to be displayed. Most restaurant franchise chains have said that they are pleased with the compromise, which appears to be a workable solution, and are pleased that a national standard is to be implemented.
As for the consumers, they mostly appear to be in favour of the new legislation, with many people stating that seeing nutritional information in print next to the menu items will help them opt for healthier choices. However, others admit that it will make no difference to their menu choices.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the government has announced that it will trial calorie counts for food sold in takeaways, restaurant franchises and canteens. It is seeking volunteer companies to display calorie content listings and believes that the rest of the industry will quickly follow suit once a standardised guide is agreed. However, unlike the American scheme, it is not believed that the British plan will be backed by legislation.
With obesity growing at an alarming rate on both sides of the “Pond”, maybe these standards will encourage the restaurant franchises industry to develop healthier dishes.
Tags: restaurant franchising, restuarant franchise, restuarant franchises
When i read this type of red tape, I realise more and more that being part of a franchise takes things off my shoulders. Let them government come up with new stuff. As long as my franchisor is handling it, I dont need to worry too much
John Thomson
Good ideas on franchsing. I think independent non franchise businesses could also use some of the principles in your reports. It just takes a disciplined mind to follow thorugh on the points ans when you are in a franchise you can’t afford not to because you could lose the license.