AllergyEats, a leading guide to allergy-friendly restaurants nationwide, has just released its 2016 list of the Top 10 Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains in the U.S. 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,” says 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.
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,” says 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 explains.
“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 percent or more," Antico continues. "We encourage other restaurants to adopt strong food allergy protocols, as the trend toward greater allergy-friendliness in the restaurant industry continues to grow."
