LAist: The New Numbers Game: Fast Food Calorie Counts

paul

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:06:07 -0800

You're being disingenuous. Major chain is pretty well used term that's well defined in our culture. All of the above (aside from Poquito Mas, which is local) would qualify are national major chain. Does Panera stop being a national major chain with many locations in multiple cities and multiple states, depending on the amount of locations in any one given city?

Lindsay William-Ross

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:53:30 -0800

Red Lobster (a pretty "major" chain) has only 6 locations in LA County. Poquito Mas has exactly 9 locations. Koo Koo Roo has 15. Daphne's Greek has 17. This ordinance may well define some, none, or all of those as a "major" chain. Some "major" chains only have a couple of locations within LA County limits, but have far more in other parts of the country (like Red Lobster, for example). So, still, how this will be applied is unclear. While Chipotle's holder is McDonald's, are they counted as their own chain, or as part of McDonald's, etc. One place Carrie mentioned is Panera; they have about 20 locations within LA County. Is that enough to be "major"? Or does "major" have to do with ownership, national density of locations, etc.

paul

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:26:57 -0800

Carrie, you're right about that. That wasn't necessary. Sorry for being ridiculous. But to be more specific about what I'm saying, Denny's has over 2,000 restaurants in multiple countries. Chipotle's majority holder is (or at least at one time was) McDonalds. wilberfan has a valid point with "Poquito Mas," but all the places you listed are solid examples of major chains, without question. I didn't understand why those may be confused with anything else.

Carrie Meathrell

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:13:50 -0800

wow, Paul, way to be a fucking dick about it.

wilberfan

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:00:24 -0800

Lindsay's right: What about something like Poquito Mas? A dozen or so locations around LA--but nowhere else... Is that "a chain"? Wonderful, delicious, fresh, healthy ingredients--but in generous quantities that CAN'T be good for you... I'm convinced that this is information that people "need"--but I'm also convinced that most people don't "want" it... Don't most Americans consider it their birthright to eat whatever they want--in any quantity they want--with the freedom to be ignorant of the consequences? (Enthusiastically supported by corporate America, of course.) I've literally had people scream at me "I don't wanna know...!". when, after asking me what turned me vegetarian, I responded, "I read this book...."

paul

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:00:14 -0800

If you're eating at Chipotle or Baja Fresh (or ANY of the places you mentioned) and confused about whether it's a "major chain," then how many calories are in your meal is the least of your worries. Then again, aside from a couple key writers, discussing simple mundane aspects instead of relevant topics in any given situation (aka- possible economic and societal impact of such a law) appears to be LAists main qualification for contributors.

BingosDingo

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:36:41 -0800

Hell wid dat! It isn't that hard to figure out calories per item, tally up what makes a dish, and post it. Everyone in the food service industry should be required to do it...not just "major."

Carrie Meathrell

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:20:43 -0800

I don't see what my confusion be could is either paul! could you explain it to me????

Lindsay William-Ross

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:59:08 -0800

because the term "major" is open to interpretation; do they mean national or multi-national chains? regional chains? what quantity of restaurants within the chain qualifies it as a "major" chain in their eyes? are they looking at how many locations are situated within the city of los angeles, or how many locations are in the chains' total holdings? i believe that is the "extensive" issue that carrie is raising, and it is a question i have, too.

paul

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:53:36 -0800

"The question, of course, is how extensive these requirements would be. Of course places like McDonald's, Burger King, et al, would fall under this new rubric, but what about Baja Fresh? Chipotle? Panera? Denny's?" Um, I don't see what could be your confusion is?