David Biernbaum

Calorie Counts Influence Menu Readers

February 17, 2010

FROM RETAILWIRE:
While at least one study of low-income consumers showed calorie counts on menus did little to influence purchases in restaurants, two other studies published on the website of the American Journal of Public Health suggest putting calories on the menu could play a significant role in helping address obesity. Will calories and other nutritional information listed on menus help to reduce obesity in the U.S.?      [more...]

Calorie and fat content on menus should be regarded not only as a marketing tool but also as a service to the patronizing public. People deserve to know what they are eating and it's not always obvious merely by what's on the plate. For example, a "healthy" veggie burger might in fact have a surprising large number of calories after the trimmings. However, in any case, the restaurant shouldn't use this as a marketing tool in a less than honest way.