Chains of Love

Chain Links: Out of Africa

The first Maggiano’s outside the US opened in Saudi Arabia and parent company, Brinker, foresees 500 international restaurants by 2014.

Middle East, sure, it’s the African continent you don’t hear much about. Don’t worry; KFC is heading into Nigeria’s Onikan Mall in Lagos (they already have a presence in Uganda, Malawi and Zambia). The fried chicken will be in good company—the mall also has Caffé Vergnano 1882, an Italian chain.

Chain Links: Bready

Chick-fil-A tied with McDonald’s as America’s favorite quick serve restaurant according to a Market Force Information Inc. survey. Panera Bread and Subway also had a strong showing.

Subway takes the number one spot on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list. Twenty-one sandwich shops made the list in total

Quiznos and Subway seem to get all the glory, but that’s not stopping Blimpie from beginning its Middle Eastern expansion in Kuwait next year.

Not sandwich-related unless you count that doughnut burger, Krispy Kreme is coming to Shanghai.

Chain Links: Sleeping on the Job

Jeez, I don't read the news for a week and American chains take over the world.

Nepal got a Pizza Hut/KFC combo.

Pakistan is getting a Hardees.

Russia has 78 Subway shops and they're going to have 922 more by 2015.

Europe will welcome its first Chipotle in London come April.

In exchange, Soho will get an outpost of Lizarran Tapas, a Spanish chain that already has locations in California.

Chain Links: Hipster Black Shirts

Slate asks why Arby's is struggling more than other fast food chains. Moneybox columnist Daniel Gross thinks it's the low quality meat, lack of healthy options and "killer non-meat app." Hey, what do you call that Jamocha shake?

Meanwhile, Brooklynites who don't care about taste and fast food salads will soon be treated to the borough's first Arby's in the historically landmarked Gage & Tollner space.

On the other end of the spectrum, Ruby Tuesday has spent around $100 million in efforts to create more upmarket food, service and decor, pretty gutsy in this economy. Will servers "clad in hipster black shirts and black pants," lobster tails and wine suggestions work for a chain best known for its burgers?

Tidbits I didn't previously know: Ruby Tuesday owns an inn called RT Lodge that used to only be for managers but is now open to the public (road trip?). Also, Peter Glander, Ruby Tuesday's executive chef (pictured above with the chain's founder) used to be a sous-chef at The Modern.

Chain Links: I'm Not Sure What Freshii Is But I Like the Sound of It

Two brothers who run Dunkin' Donuts in Northern NJ plan to open more than 20 Freshii stores in New York.

Someone who created a restaurant called Salad Room is turning all of his locations into Freshiis and wants to take over Eastern Europe.

Chain Links: Big Mac Attack

All the hubbub over the McDonald’s in the Louvre appears to be unfounded. The average Parisian doesn’t give a merde about Big Macs tainting France’s culinary traditions.

McDonald’s, which has had a presence in Iceland since 1993, isn’t faring quite so well. They’ll be closing all restaurants in the country at the end of October.

Chain Links: Korean Chicken & Waffles

Fast food is still nascent in North Korea. Singaporean chain Waffletown has begun slinging their namesake treat along with fries, hotdogs and yes, fried chicken, in Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, Singapore is in advanced chain-ification stages. Heavy hitters Daniel Boulud, Mario Batali and Guy Savoy, among others, are opening high end outposts under one roof, a Vegas-style resort.

Boulud is going totally wild with Asian expansion. If I was a chef, I would apply for one of these openings in Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Baby Back Ribs for Billionaires

I’m not one to dwell on the economy. When you don’t have money to lose, it’s much less scary.

But it’s hard to ignore a publication like Bloomberg reviewing Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl. According to the author, arts and culture editor Yvette Fernandez, “chain restaurants for people on a budget (like me).” (It’s always weird when people write in publications they are employed by about money issues.) The round-up also includes NYC chains like Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Hooter’s, California Pizza Kitchen, T.G.I. Friday’s, Applebee’s And Houston’s. Definitely all the biggies. Ruby Tuesday being the only glaring midtown omission.

The only thing I really learned from this article is that Hooter’s serves tater tots, a potatoey treat I wish I saw more often on menus.

Chain Links: China Syndrome

Dunkin’ Donuts plans 480 stores in Mainland China over the next ten years. Green tea donuts and mochi rings for all. [Food Business Review]

Dairy Queen blows DD away with their vow to open 500 locations (they already have 200) in China over the next five years. We don’t even have Dairy Queen in NYC yet. [QSR Magazine]

Sinophile Miley Cyrus didn’t tip on a $70 Outback Steakhouse bill. It’s not as if teenagers have ever been known for their sensitivity. [New York Daily News]

Chain Links: Fine Art Edition

An LA couple is trying to raise $12,000 for an “art project” that involves photographing all 206 Sizzler’s in the US. There are only 146 Cheesecake Factories in the nation. Could I get a subsidy? [via Eater LA]

A Shoney’s memorial is being erected at the Charlton, WV site of the original restaurant, and a local artist is requesting fans send in memorabilia, bought or heisted. What’s up with these artists and their chain fixations? [via Slashfood]

Chains are touting cheaper drinks to lure in diners. Those Mudslides can really add up.

The Chicago Tribune’s dining section reviewing signature items at fast food chains only serves as a reminder of how damn highbrow NYC is. Even the Post wouldn’t review Cheddar Bay Biscuits.