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Parents Magazine rates Jason’s Deli No. 1

March 6, 2011

Jason’s Deli has won the Best Restaurant Chain survey by Parents Magazine. The survey measures where families can get the most nutritious foods for the best price while also having the least stressful experience. The results of the 10 Best Restaurant Chains survey appear in the April issue of Parents,which will be available March 15.

“We are honored and humbled by this award,” said Joe Tortorice, founder and CEO of Jason’s Deli. “As restaurateurs, we’ve challenged ourselves to do the right thing which is feeding our kids and our customers’ children real, less fooled around with food at affordable prices.”

To compile the list, Parents analyzed the calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium on both the kids’ and adult menus of more than 150 national restaurant chains. Once that list was whittled down to the chains that offered the healthiest options, editors scrutinized the quality of the ingredients such as whether organic milk or antibiotic–free chicken were offered. Then, conveniences such as call-ahead seating, online ordering, crayons to keep the kids busy, and availability of high chairs and booster seats were taken into consideration. 

For Jason’s Deli, winning is attributed to quality ingredients, a fresh kids’ menu and a few innovative moves. For instance, in 2009 Jason’s Deli became the first national restaurant chain to ban high fructose corn syrup in its food. Then last year it eliminated artificial colors and dyes from its menu.

The motivation for these changes started in the late 1990’s when Jason’s Deli began researching the removal of artificial trans fats from the menu. That goal was completed in 2004.