AllergyEats Releases 2016 List of Top 10 Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains

Annual List Spotlights Restaurant Chains That Excel at Accommodating
Food-Allergic Diners

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AllergyEats,
the leading guide to allergy-friendly restaurants nationwide, has just
released its 2016 list of the Top 10 Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant
Chains in the United States. The chains on this prestigious list hold
the highest ratings on the AllergyEats app and website, per feedback
from the food allergy community. AllergyEats restaurant ratings are
based solely on how well restaurants have accommodated food-allergic
diners, and not on other factors, such as ambiance, service or food
quality.

“AllergyEats depends on ratings and feedback from the food allergy
community to determine which restaurants are most allergy-friendly.
According to AllergyEats users, the chains on this list have
demonstrated a superior willingness and ability to accommodate guests
with food allergies,” said Paul Antico, Founder and CEO of AllergyEats.
“These restaurant chains have proven themselves to have best-in-class
food allergy procedures, protocols, training and knowledge, receiving
high ratings and positive feedback from food-allergic diners.”

The Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains are grouped into two
categories – large (50 or more restaurants) and small (under 50
restaurants). Results were based on diner feedback from the AllergyEats
app and website through December 31, 2015.

Most allergy-friendly large chains:

• Maggiano’s Little Italy (4.63 rating)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.38 rating)
• Mellow Mushroom (4.36 rating)
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (4.31 rating)
• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (4.29 rating)

Most allergy-friendly small chains:

• Rainforest Café (4.87 rating)
• Burtons Grill (4.74 rating)
• Not Your Average Joe’s (4.45 rating)
• Joe’s American Bar & Grill (4.41 rating)
• Legal Sea Foods (4.39 rating)

Some of the restaurant chains on the 2016 list, including Red Robin
Gourmet Burgers, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, and Legal Sea Foods, have
earned placement on the AllergyEats Most Allergy-Friendly Chains List
consistently for several years. Rainforest Café is new to the list this
year, and is being recognized for their willingness and ability to
expertly accommodate food-allergic guests.

“We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Keith Beitler, Chief
Operating Officer of Rainforest Cafe. “At Rainforest Cafe, it is
rewarding to accommodate our guests’ needs and requests. We spend a lot
of time making sure our restaurants offer plenty of adventure with a
variety of dining options that satisfies everyone’s appetite – including
allergy-friendly, gluten-free and healthy menu items. We want our
customers to know they are receiving the highest quality of food with
the highest standard of service.”

“The AllergyEats Top 10 Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains list –
and the growing number of AllergyEats ratings of all restaurants – helps
the food allergy community make more informed decisions about which
restaurants to visit and which to avoid, based on how well or poorly
they’ve accommodated other diners’ food allergies,” Antico explained.

“As many restaurants are finding, becoming allergy-friendly is not only
a good thing to do for the food allergy community, but also a very smart
business decision. When restaurants accommodate food-allergic guests,
they experience increased customers, sales, loyalty, and profits. In
fact, restaurants that cater to the food allergy community can increase
their profits significantly – by as much as 25% or more,” Antico
continued. “We encourage other restaurants to adopt strong food allergy
protocols, as the trend toward greater allergy-friendliness in the
restaurant industry continues to grow.”

AllergyEats (www.AllergyEats.com)
is a free, peer-based app and website where people find and rate
restaurants based solely on their ability to accommodate food allergies.
AllergyEats lists more than 850,000 restaurants nationwide, which people
can rate, and also offers user comments, web links, menus, directions
and more. Restaurants are easily searchable by geographic location, so
people can find allergy-friendly establishments around town and around
the country. The app, website, and related social media forums help
families with food allergies reduce the guesswork and the anxiety
surrounding dining out with food allergies.

Contacts

For AllergyEats
Adrienne Walkowiak, 603-659-9345
Adrienne@AdrienneWalkowiak.com