Restaurants Lighten Up On Menus

USA Today:

For the millions of Americans who entered 2008 a bit flabbier - and made that perennial resolution to shed poundage - some of the most familiar eateries have an alluring pitch for the new year: Eat, drink and be lighter.

That sounds contradictory, but for big restaurant chains, it’s all about customer counts. January is rough for the $558 billion industry as people cope with holiday burnout, credit card bloat and body flab.

Starbucks is hyping ‘Skinny’ lattes. Jack in the Box launched low-cal chicken strips. Cheesecake Factory rolled out light salads. Applebee’s says Weight Watchers menu sales could jump 8%. Panera Bread is selling half-sandwich and half-salad combos. Sonic’s fat-free Double Berry Smoothies are new.

Even Taco Bell’s added low-cal stuff. ‘There’s a battle of the bulge after the holidays,’ says Tom Wagner, vice president of consumer insights. ‘We don’t want people eating at home. We want them to eat at Taco Bell.’

Will they buy it?