The Best and Worst Family Restaurant Chains in America in 2016
Life + Money

The Best and Worst Family Restaurant Chains in America in 2016

Americans are not just looking for kids’ menus and crayons at their favorite family restaurants. They are also looking for good food, varied menus and a pleasant atmosphere.

Some of the country’s biggest family-friendly restaurant chains offer these features and more, while others fall short, according to an annual ranking from industry publication Nation’s Restaurant News. The magazine surveyed 37,339 restaurant-goers and ranked the chains on 10 qualities: atmosphere, cleanliness, craveability, food quality, likely to recommend, likely to return, menu variety, reputation, service and value.

Among the best year-over-year performers is Shari’s Café and Pies, a chain with 100 locations across the Northwest. Shari’s moved into the top three this year, up nine places from 2015, and it got the top score for menu variety among the 16 family restaurants in the survey. It also made significant improvements in other categories. This April, the restaurant also earned 14 gold medals at the 2016 National Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Related: The 20 Worst Casual Dining Restaurant Chains

That’s better than the fortunes of another top five chain, Bob Evans Restaurants, which is closing 27 locations and laying off about 1,100 employees this year as its same-store sales continue to decline. Last year, the chain shuttered 20 locations and made several real-estate deals to pocket $270 million. It expects to make $20 million off the sales of the closed locations this year.

Another one of the 16 family chains, Johnny Rockets, recently announced a makeover to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The restaurant, which barely made the “best” list, said in April that it’s replacing its iconic 1950s diner style — think jukeboxes and soda fountain uniforms — with a more modern design featuring wood planking, white brick veneer and industrial lighting.

“Every brand goes through an evolution to stay relevant, and we’re no different,” said Charles Bruce, Johnny Rockets CEO and president, in a statement. “Almost every aspect of our brand refresh is designed to be more relevant and engaging to families, millennials, singles and our loyal guests who have grown up with us for decades.”

What’s your favorite family restaurant chain? Follow the links below to see how it did in this year’s rankings.

Slideshow: The 8 Best Family Restaurant Chains in America

Slideshow: The 8 Worst Family Restaurant Chains in America

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