I visited Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chili's with a $30 budget. Some chains offered way more value than others.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A composite image of the exteriors of Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chili's restaurants.
I compared $30 meals at three different chain restaurants to find the best value.

Artography/Shutterstock; Ken Wolter/Shutterstock; Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

I tried Red Lobster's new Lobsterfest menu after its revamp. It's not the same chain I remember from 2 years ago.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
red lobster lobsterfest meal
Red Lobster's Lobsterfest is one of its longest-running, most popular promotions. I tried it for the first time and can't wait to go back.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I tried every new item on The Cheesecake Factory's spring menu. I now have a new favorite appetizer.

Tech Insider : Business
cheesecake factory bbq pork belly buns
I was impressed by The Cheesecake Factory's new pickle fries, pork belly buns, and bowls.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I visited Swig, the customizable 'dirty soda' chain sweeping the US. I wouldn't go back, but I get why it's so popular.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Woman holding Swig drinks in holder in front of Swig
While at Swig, I tried a few menu items, including drinks ordered by the cast of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."

Savannah Born

I ate at Red Lobster for the first time since its revamp. I miss Endless Shrimp, but I can't wait to go back.

Tech Insider : Business
red lobster shrimp your way times square
I tried Red Lobster after not eating there for two years. I can't wait to go back.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Celebrity-chef restaurants and Applebee's are using the same playbook

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
Photo collage of Gordon Ramsay and his food with Applebees
Celebrity-chef restaurants and Applebee's have more in common than you might think.

NurPhoto/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Tyler Le/BI

Stepping inside Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen in Atlantic City felt like entering a TV set, with mood lighting, marble floors, and screens playing his most iconic moments.

I tried boneless wings from 5 chain restaurants and ranked them from worst to best

Tech Insider : Business
chilis grill and bar boneless wings
We tried five chain restaurants' boneless wings, and Chili's had the tastiest.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I tried Buffalo wings from 5 major chain restaurants and ranked them from worst to best

Tech Insider : Business
wingstop original hot wings
Wingstop original hot wings.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The 6 biggest chain-restaurant food trends of 2025 — and 3 that won't survive 2026

Tech Insider : Business
chick fil a chicken tender meal
From chicken tenders to LTOs and value meal deals, these were the biggest food trends that dominated 2025.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The 20 most beloved restaurant chains in the US, according to Yelp

Tech Insider : Business
in n out burgers in a tray
in n out burgers in a tray

Kit Leong/Shutterstock

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