Most Discussed Shops?

There's a link to Most Discussed Companies. However, which shop do you feel like is the most discussed?

As a warning, replies would ideally list the client, so the MSC can't be named

In my opinion, it seems like Five Guys is the most discussed. Followed by possibly Kroger, Texas Roadhouse, and Panda Express.

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gas stations of all brands lol

Five Guys, for some reason.
Then gas stations, followed by that Ty shop.

Just completed a TR shop. Only an hour after opening and the restaurant is already over 3/4 capacity. Sure seems popular even without the line dancing. Prices have slowly inched up but I believe it's hard to beat their value.

It's no wonder they beat out Olive Garden as noted by Google; "...the #1 in total revenue, which in 2024 was achieved by Texas Roadhouse, beating Olive Garden by $300 million to claim the top spot for the first time. Texas Roadhouse's success was attributed to higher sales growth and the opening of new locations, shifting customer preference toward meat-based meals over Italian fare."

It's so easy to make a good pasta meal at home with fresh, refrigerated pasta. I'll be making Gnocchi and Italian sausage later this week on the stove in a few minutes. Steak and baked potato can be made at home too, but it takes much longer than pasta and sausage.

For me it seems like the gas stations. The most prolific posters constantly discuss their routes. Where I live in the northeast we don’t have any of those chains, but it seems those shops are where the real money is at? TBH, we don’t a lot of shops period, but I still check the site regularly because every now and then I happen upon something useful.

Across all shopped gas brands nationwide they are certainly the most plentiful of shop types. Often, many shops can be done in a day, especially when we mix brands. Maybe that's why they're so often discussed - because there are so many to be had.

Brad, concerning gas stations, posts--it seems those shops are where the real money is at?

Bob comments--In 22+ yrs., that has not been the case in my area. As I will only accept such work if I am very near the station, the fee is $30+ and only a few required pics, my total in the past 3 yrs. is only 2 shops.

If what I have been told is accurate, the station operator is charged $500 for the shop. To paraphrase Clara Peller, she of the Wendy's commercials, "Where's the money for the shoppers?" The same shoppers, without whom the multi-billion dollar oil companies would need an alternate manner of monitoring their associates.

@maverick1

regarding TXRH...they are the only large chain restaurant in the family dining market (not fine dining) that has their managers approach every table consistently to let the customers know they are truly interested in making sure they are having a pleasant visit.

I did a TXRH earlier in August and was surprised that no manager stopped by. That was the first visit in a long, long time where a manager did not visit every table after the entrees were delivered.

I watch BJ's brewhouse (which I like) and the managers are present on the dining room floor, but they do not actively approach all the tables like TXRH managers do. I give BJ's managers credit for at least being visible and walking thru the area, but stopping and making guests feel valued is a big key that sets TXRH apart (imo)

I forgot about the gas stations and merchandising

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

regarding TXRH...they are the only large chain restaurant in the family dining market (not fine dining) that has their managers approach every table consistently to let the customers know they are truly interested in making sure they are having a pleasant visit.

I did a TXRH earlier in August and was surprised that no manager stopped by. That was the first visit in a long, long time where a manager did not visit every table after the entrees were delivered.

I watch BJ's brewhouse (which I like) and the managers are present on the dining room floor, but they do not actively approach all the tables like TXRH managers do. I give BJ's managers credit for at least being visible and walking thru the area, but stopping and making guests feel valued is a big key that sets TXRH apart (imo)

@hbbigdaddy

I agree with your assessment.

On my last visit I overheard a customer respond to the mgr inquiry of, "how is everything?", where the customer indicated his steak was undercooked. They corrected it for him AND gave him another side as well. Nice touch. I would say that my steak was slightly under cooked as well, but I didn't indicate any issue in my report as I consider the variation within "tolerance" and not out of med-rare range. So maybe the conclusion is that such feedback is used to adjust the grille time/temperature since it was within an hour of opening. Just a thought...

Also, I witnessed a mgr take a customer order without a pen/pad. I noticed the mgr had a headset/mic. I wondered, is the mgr that good in memorizing the details of the order, or is the order captured by the mgr repeating the customer selections aloud into the mic. Could this be an evolving trend in the restaurant industry? I could see AI also giving the order taker suggestions in the headset.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2025 06:40PM by maverick1.

Next time you go to TRH, notice the person who leads you to your table or the waitress, on their first visit, places a piece of tape on your table. When the manager visits, they remove the tspe. Table touched by management.

I've mentioned my steak was overcooked. They fired a new one and let me take the first one home instead of throwing it out. What's not to like. Honestly. The manager delivered the "on the fly" recooked steak and waited until i cut into it and confirmed it was acceptable to me.

@wrosie wrote:

Next time you go to TRH, notice the person who leads you to your table or the waitress, on their first visit, places a piece of tape on your table. When the manager visits, they remove the tspe. Table touched by management.

I've mentioned my steak was overcooked. They fired a new one and let me take the first one home instead of throwing it out. What's not to like. Honestly. The manager delivered the "on the fly" recooked steak and waited until i cut into it and confirmed it was acceptable to me.

I've never seen the tape procedure. But I'll continue to look for it.

I hadn't been to TXRH for years until I visited one a couple of times with a friend. So when I started MS a couple of months ago, I jumped at it. Took a different friend of mine, it was a long drive but we had a lot to catch up on anyway so I didn't mind. And it was a weeknight so it wasn't busy.

Well, the bartender and the manager were so nice to us, and when the manager learned that it was my friend's first visit she excused herself and came back with a free appetizer card for next time.

Won over my friend's loyalty immediately, and now she wants to go with me whenever I do one.

@maverick1

how did you not notice the tape on the side of the table? You can see it on other tables too. You must not be naturally observant :-P

@nc-retiree

yes, TXRH pretty good about the free app coupon for next visit when they hear you are a first timer. I have seen that happen many times.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

how did you not notice the tape on the side of the table? You can see it on other tables too. You must not be naturally observant :-P

@nc-retiree

yes, TXRH pretty good about the free app coupon for next visit when they hear you are a first timer. I have seen that happen many times.

@hbbigdaddy

Maybe the tape thing is just something in your area. I only see a table number engraved on a small nailed in place on the edge of the tables.

Regarding Panda Express...

I see the following type of offer for some of us posted in other forums:

"Select Southern CA/NV Panda Express Locations: $6 At Panda Express: 1 Plate + 2-Entree (Premium Extra) Online/App."

@maverick1

Pay attention the next time you go to TXRH. @wrosie noticed it and we are not shopping the same area. I've seen the tape thing done in Nevada, CA, and AZ.

You are just not paying attention :-P

They do the tape thing here too. It has your name and number in your party on it. Little white piece of paper. Watch the hostess stand as you check in. The host/hostess grabs the paper and the rolls and walks you to your table. They stick it on the side of the table as you sit down. I’ve wondered if they do that in the event of a dine and dash. They have your name and phone number from check in.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2025 10:27AM by gigishopper.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

Pay attention the next time you go to TXRH. @wrosie noticed it and we are not shopping the same area. I've seen the tape thing done in Nevada, CA, and AZ.

You are just not paying attention :-P

@hbbigdaddy

Hey, I see what you did there, you are using my line of; "paying attention, it's the best thing you can afford."

Again, I'm telling you, I haven't seen it, and I've been to HELL and back!

Note: Also, I mostly do the bar shop

[en.wikipedia.org]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2025 11:06AM by maverick1.

They do it in the bar shop too. The bartender sticks the piece of paper on their side of the bar opposite of where you sit. I also live in the same city as corporate, so they may test all best practices here.

@maverick1 wrote:

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

Pay attention the next time you go to TXRH. @wrosie noticed it and we are not shopping the same area. I've seen the tape thing done in Nevada, CA, and AZ.

You are just not paying attention :-P

@hbbigdaddy

Hey, I see what you did there, you are using my line of; "paying attention, it's the best thing you can afford."

Again, I'm telling you, I haven't seen it, and I've been to HELL and back!

Note: Also, I mostly do the bar shop

[en.wikipedia.org]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2025 11:29AM by gigishopper.

@wrosie wrote:

Next time you go to TRH, notice the person who leads you to your table or the waitress, on their first visit, places a piece of tape on your table. When the manager visits, they remove the tspe. Table touched by management.

I've mentioned my steak was overcooked. They fired a new one and let me take the first one home instead of throwing it out. What's not to like. Honestly. The manager delivered the "on the fly" recooked steak and waited until i cut into it and confirmed it was acceptable to me.

I have not been to TRH in several years but the last time I went to Bubba's they did that (and that was not my first visit).

What is the purpose of them doing that?

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

@wrosie wrote:

Next time you go to TRH, notice the person who leads you to your table or the waitress, on their first visit, places a piece of tape on your table. When the manager visits, they remove the tspe. Table touched by management.

I've mentioned my steak was overcooked. They fired a new one and let me take the first one home instead of throwing it out. What's not to like. Honestly. The manager delivered the "on the fly" recooked steak and waited until i cut into it and confirmed it was acceptable to me.

I have not been to TRH in several years but the last time I went to Bubba's they did that (and that was not my first visit).

What is the purpose of them doing that?

The manager takes the paper so they know they "touched" the table already. My guess is it's corporate policy that a manager talk to every guest/table.

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