Raw Data Report: Fast Food

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Customers Spend Frugally At Carl's Jr. Restaurants

The Carl's Jr. burger chain, owned by CKE Restaurants, Inc. (CKR), was surveyed by Tickermine this month. Our researchers consulted 28 locations and asked whether their restaurant was new or old, what was the most popular menu item, whether this location had a drive through and what the average check was for a party of two?

Only two respondents or 7% of those polled reported having a new location that was less than a year old and 26 respondents or 93% said their restaurant was older than a year. The Six Dollar Burger remains popular with customers with 12 respondents or 43% saying that customers are ordering this item more than a year ago. 10 respondents or 36% said customers are ordering the Six Dollar Burger about the same as last year and only four respondents or 14% said customers don't order this at all.

The Six Dollar Burger still remains the most popular Carl's Jr. meal with 12 respondents or 43%. The Western Bacon Cheeseburger was also popular, cited by six respondents or 21% of the poll. The Chili Cheese burger was cited three times or by 11% of respondents. The Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich was cited twice (7%) along with the Famous Star and the following were each cited once (or by 4% of those interviewed): the Steak and Egg Buritto, the Super Star with cheese and the Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich. 26 respondents or 93% of the poll said that they have a drive through (only two respondents or 7% said they don't). And the average check for a party of two was mostly low, between $10-$24 (25 respondents or 89%). Only three respondents or 11%, said parties of two spend $25.

McDonald's (MCD) New Southern Style Chicken Sandwich Does Little For Business

McDonald's Corp., the world's biggest restaurant retailer, was profiled this month. Tickermine researchers asked whether lunch was busier over dinner, how is the Southern style Chicken Sandwich selling, is business brisker since this appeared on the menu, what is the most popular menu item, how long has this been around and has this location been in business longer than a year?

31 locations were consulted nationwide. We found that lunch was busiest (21 respondents or 68%), dinner was slacker than that with nine respondents or 29% of those polled and only one respondent (3%) cited breakfast as their busiest shift. The Southern Style Chicken sandwich is a hit apparently with 25 respondents or 81% saying it sells "very well." Three however said it bombed with customers (10%) and two (6%) said sales were "average".

Whether customers like the new chicken sandwich or not; 22 respondents or 74% said that the product has not created a spike in business at all. Only 8 or 26% felt the product gave business a lift. The Big Mac remains the most popular menu item anyway (with 13 respondents or 42% of those polled.) The Double Cheeseburger and Quarter Pounder were next with five mentions each (16%). The McChicken Sandwich was cited by 10% of those interviewed. The Chicken McNuggets and Snack Wrap were cited twice each (6%) and the Big and Tasty was mentioned once (3%). Twenty nine respondents, 94% said this menu had been on the menu forever. Only two said theirs was new. And all 31 respondents or 100% of those polled said their location was older than a year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) Has New Locations; 48% Say Business Is Up

The Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant chain was profiled by Tickermine researchers this month. We asked people at 25 locations nationwide whether business was busier this month over last month, what were the most favored menu items, is lunch or dinner busier, is the location new, why do people eat there and what the average party of two winds up spending for their meal.

Eleven respondents or 44% reported that business matched business a month ago. Twelve or 48% however said it was busier and only two or 8% felt that their patronage had slowed. Burritos were cited as most popular and the choice of 15 respondents or 60% of those polled. The Burrito Bowl was also a popular item (3 or 12%), Beef Tacos and then the Nachos were each cited twice (8%). The following were each cited once or by 4% of those interviewed: Carnita Taco, Burrito wraps and Grilled Chicken. The lunch crowd reigns at this restaurant chain. 15 respondents or 60% reported their lunch shift as busier. 10 respondents or 40% said it was dinner. And five of the locations (20% of those interviewed) were new, less than a year old therefore, and 20 or 80% were older.

All respondents interviewed said it was the menu that brought their customers back but probably the low prices too. 20 respondents or 80% of those polled said a party of two averages a bill of $10-$20. Five respondents or 20% said their party of two bills averaged between $21-$30.