Eating Behaviors, Obesity, and Litigation: Should Casual-Food Restaurant Operators Heed the Warnings to their Fast-Food Counterparts?

McDonald's has weathered attacks over its alleged contribution to the obesity epidemic. Similar concerns may be at hand for casual restaurant operators. Students (N = 605) from a two-year college and a four-year university were surveyed to compare eating behaviors and menu selections in fast-food versus casual restaurants. Actual mean calorie consumption was significantly higher in casual restaurant meals than fast-food restaurant meals (t = 2.703, p = 0.019). In fact, in casual restaurants, students consumed between 47.5% and 61.8% of the recommended daily caloric intake in one meal. Restaurant managers and corporate officers must take a proactive stance to ensure healthy menu selections and avoid potential litigation.