News

Boston Market cutting salt

February 18, 2014

Consumers often have to take restaurants' health claims with a grain of salt; however, that may prove difficult at Boston Market, according to a company press release, that announced that the chain has significantly reduced sodium in several key menu items and is on its way to reducing total sodium across its menu by an average of 15 percent by the end of the year.

The news comes on the heels of a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published report that cited the need for sodium reduction in restaurants. Boston Market has been working to lower sodium since 2010, when it began to test reduced sodium options at select locations. The result? No customers seemed to notice, said George Michel, CEO of Boston Market (a.k.a. "The Big Chicken").

Based on the test, Boston Market has since rolled out the sodium reduction changes in all 458 restaurants. Sodium in the company's mashed potatoes, its most popular side dish, has decreased by 26 percent, and while the chain decreased sodium in its stuffing by nearly 20 percent, sales of the holiday staple this season actually increased 17 percent, Michel said. Additionally, Boston Market has reduced the sodium levels in its poultry gravy by 50 percent, its cornbread by 30 percent and its meatloaf by 18 percent.

"At Boston Market, we are committed to ensuring our guests enjoy delicious, home style cooking that can be part of a healthier diet," Michel said. "Modifying our recipes to create healthier options, without sacrificing taste, is another way we deliver on our mission to provide guests wholesome foods they can feel good about eating and sharing with their families."

The announcement is the latest step in a series of menu modifications to help consumers make better food choices when dining out, Michel said. In 2012, Boston Market became the first restaurant chain to remove salt shakers from tables inside all locations to raise awareness of salt intake without completely eliminating the option.

The restaurant chain also announced its 100 Meals Under 550 Calories menu last month. The menu offers more than 100 combinations of delicious and satisfying entrees and sides. Boston Market is also a participant in the National Restaurant Association's "Kids Live Well" program, and a strategic partner of the United States Department of Agriculture's "My Plate" program.

"We know there's always more progress to be made," Michel added. "But variety is the spice of life, which is why we're committed to delivering foods that are healthier and foods that are more indulgent — constant improvement in all facets of our business is how we've secured 13 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales."

Read more about healthy menu items.