What is a Chain?

How do you define a chain? Is it any place with more than one location even if all locations are under common management? Is a chain always national in scope or is there such a thing as a regional or local chain? Is any operation utilizing franchises a chain automatically?
Just curious.

[Robin Garr]

How do you define a chain? Is it any place with more than one location even if all locations are under common management? Is a chain always national in scope or is there such a thing as a regional or local chain? Is any operation utilizing franchises a chain automatically?
Just curious.

Very good questions. This comes up on occasion, and it always gets complicated when we conflate the simple definition of a chain with the usual debate over whether all chains are evil or just some of them.

First, there can absolutely be national, regional and local chains. In fact, most national (and international) chains grew out of local chains or, usually, single local stores. Two obvious examples in Kentucky being Kentucky Fried Chicken in Corbin and Papa John's Pizza in New Albany. Tumbleweed became a regional chain. Tony Boombozz, J. Gumbo's, Los Aztecas, Sol Aztecas, Bearno's and many more have grown into local chains.

The question you didn't ask but that I'm fond of answering is, can a great individual restaurant maintain a commitment to high quality and customer service as it grows. In my opinion, Tony Boombozz has certainly done so; arguably ditto for Bearno's. J. Gumbo's (originally Gumbo A Go-Go) slipped badly when (in my opinion) too-greedy investors tried to grow it fast by cutting corners. Kudos to Billy Fox for working to wrest the mini-chain back and restore its reputation. And so it goes: Chains grow, and as they become more corporate and management retreats farther away from the front lines, it becomes increasingly likely that quality will suffer. This isn't necessarily so, but it's a strong tendency that's built into the system.

One place comes to mind when a small local restaurant branches out locally. Where i am from there is a taco place called, El Zarape.

They started out as a small taco truck selling at night and on the weekends. They grew to a small little itty bitty building they placed right next to where the taco truck used to be. Their prices were good, and the tacos were just AWESOME. These are the traditional order of 6 tacos on a double tortilla with free charro beans. They offered this really really good green salsa with it as well.

Well, over the years, they grew. They now have numerous locations around the Valley. But as they grew, their awesome tacos diminished. Now, i am sure if anyone goes in there today they would have a great meal. They are still good. Are they what they were 10+ years ago, not at all. The green salsa is thin, not what it used to be. They charge you for extra grilled onions, they overcharge if you want to split an order. It is just very different.

Are they a chain? I would call them a local chain. Personally, I would prefer the one location with the original food. Yeah, Zarape is now all over the valley, but they are not what they were.

Like Robin I have a hard time defining chains, especially local ones. Larger ones are easier to define. Like many others I try to avoid the larger chains but due cater to some of the local ones, especially BoomBazz and Wild Eggs. I guess part of my reasoning is that I know everything I spend there ends up back our local economy. Something that doesn't happen in most larger chains.

Like Robin I have a hard time defining chains, especially local ones. Larger ones are easier to define. Like many others I try to avoid the larger chains but due cater to some of the local ones, especially BoomBazz and Wild Eggs. I guess part of my reasoning is that I know everything I spend there ends up back our local economy. Something that doesn't happen in most larger chains.

I feel pretty much the same, Mark, but when I do occasionally eat/shop at a chain, I remind myself that the people working there are local and their paychecks are probably contributing to the local economy in a large part.

When I put down chains, I don't mean places where the owners still take care of the quality. Shiraz may have multiple locations, but I don't include it with Qdoba.

I guess it's like porn. It might be hard to define, but I know it when I see it.

I guess it's like porn. It might be hard to define, but I know it when I see it.

HA!

The national definition of "chain" restaurant is 8 or more locations in 5 or more states.

I've been thinking if there is any kind of business that is better as a chain. In general, I'd say hotels. There are some great independent hotels (Think 21c) and alternative accommodations (think Old Louisville B&Bs), but as someone who travels for business a fair amount, I'm a big fan of a Hampton Inn, with a uniformly great bed, good towels, a well equipped bathroom, free wireless, a desk, and good service.

Inexpensive independent hotels are a complete crap shoot. I'd never stay in one without a strong recommendation from a trusted source. The last time I stayed in an independent motel (not my choice), the beds were bad, the bedspreads nasty, and the internet intermittent.

On the other hand, when my wife and I stayed several days in Vienna, we stayed in a local place, not a chain, on purpose, but we did so with a strong recommendation from Rick Steves.

Another one for me is fried chicken. Popeyes and Bojangles have the best fried chicken out there.

The national definition of "chain" restaurant is 8 or more locations in 5 or more states.

Excellent! That keeps us away from "chain" status for quite some time! Go independents(ence)!!!

I've been thinking if there is any kind of business that is better as a chain. In general, I'd say hotels. There are some great independent hotels (Think 21c) and alternative accommodations (think Old Louisville B&Bs), but as someone who travels for business a fair amount, I'm a big fan of a Hampton Inn, with a uniformly great bed, good towels, a well equipped bathroom, free wireless, a desk, and good service.

Inexpensive independent hotels are a complete crap shoot. I'd never stay in one without a strong recommendation from a trusted source. The last time I stayed in an independent motel (not my choice), the beds were bad, the bedspreads nasty, and the internet intermittent.

On the other hand, when my wife and I stayed several days in Vienna, we stayed in a local place, not a chain, on purpose, but we did so with a strong recommendation from Rick Steves.

Another one for me is fried chicken. Popeyes and Bojangles have the best fried chicken out there.

wow charles what a good point. i had never thought about that fact. You are very right about chain hotels being better than most locals. Notice i said most locals. i am sure there are some hotels out there that offer good service.

Another one for me is fried chicken. Popeyes and Bojangles have the best fried chicken out there.

oh and ditto's on the chicken....my family loves Popeyes! i have had Bojangles twice and it is very good as well.

Oh man. I have to take issue with the fried chicken. Flabby's consistently serves the most tender, juicy fried chicken I've ever had. And one simply can't enjoy fried chicken to the fullest without a tall glass of beer, haha.

flabby's?

flabby's?

Flabbys .. a good ole boys (and girls) bar at the corner of Hickory and Lydia in Germantown.
Fried chicken only on the weekends except for all you can eat chicken wings and fried potatoes on
Tuesdays.

Also has some good German food in the evening. And Mazzonis oysters.