Sat. Nov 23rd, 2024

Frankie & Benny’s has conducted a survey which found that 2.2 million parents have broken their diets at family restaurants due to lack of choice, being forced to eat something that wasn’t as healthy as they would have liked. In response to these findings, Frankie & Benny’s have launched a new menu, featuring a ‘Feel Good’ range – a mix of healthier and lighter dishes made with parents in mind.

The survey from YouGov also found that one in eight (12%) parents of children aged 18 and under have gone without any food when eating out with children. This suggests lack of diet-friendly options are ruining what should be a happy occasion.

Over half (51%)*** of parents who dine out at family restaurants decide where to eat based more on what their children want, rather than what they want. Children can be fussy, but that shouldn’t mean parents are forced to eat unhealthy meals. Modern parents should be able to embrace a health-conscious lifestyle without having to go hungry during family meals out.

To combat this issue, Frankie & Benny’s have launched the ‘Feel Good’ range, available at their restaurants across the UK. All starters on the ‘Feel Good’ range are under 400 calories, and mains are under 650 calories. The menu caters for a variety of modern diets, with a variety of vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, high-protein and gluten-free options. It features 30 healthy dishes, including Skinny Chicken Pizza, Summer Salad, and High-Protein Nashville Skewers.

12% of the British population now follow a meat-free diet, so Frankie & Benny’s has increased its vegan options by 600% / sixfold. One in 10 people in the UK now avoid gluten altogether, with more and more people choosing to cut it out of their diet due to intolerance, or for the health benefits associated. The Feel Good range has increased gluten-free options at Frankie & Benny’s by 55%.

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets like the Dukan diet, the Paleo diet, and the Keto diet have also taken the UK by storm in recent years.  Frankie & Benny’s has responded by adding four high-protein options to the menu.

Holly Davies, Head of Product Innovation at Frankie & Benny’s, said: “At Frankie & Benny’s we want to provide choice for all the family, and our guests are increasingly looking for ways to tailor their diet to their lifestyle. Our new Feel Good range means that you can eat out on fewer calories, but still enjoy great tasting food.”

You can see the full Feel Good range online at: www.frankieandbennys.com/feelgoodrange

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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