Top100 Chinese Restaurants Competition

Schedule

Jan 2011

Location

San Francisco, U.S.A.

Introducation to the Top100 Awards

Chinese Restaurant News (CRN) aspires to present the best of Chinese cuisine and implement universal excellence in dining standards for Chinese restaurants. To accomplish these goals, CRN took on the formidable task of launching an annual awards competition. The first of its kind, the ranking of the "Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA" had its national debut in 2004 in New York.

After five years, the annual award competition has gained recognition and authority by American consumers; at the same time, the Top 100 awards have become a standard and goal for all restauranteurs to work towards.

As we approach our sixth year, the Top 100 competition is expanding to include Asian-themed restaurants in the US at the "Top 100 Asian Restaurants" award ceremony as well as reaching across the border to Canada in recognition of the "Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in Canada." Gaining more recognition and prestige with every passing year, the Top 100 Awards continue to set standards and acknowledge excellence for the Chinese and Asian Restaurant industries. We welcome you to join us in this journey to excellence!

10 Facts About The Chinese Restaurant Industry

1. The Chinese Restaurant industry has over $20 billion annual sales with over 46,700 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. There are more Chinese restaurants in the US than McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's combined!

2. The first Chinese restaurant that was reported to open in San Francisco had a grand opening on Dec. 10, 1849, located on Jackson Street in San Francisco. It was called "Canton." It"s been over 158 years now and Chinese restaurants are still serving the American population delicious food.

3. Today, Chinese restaurants represent a $20 billion annual sales industry that provides over two and half million healthy meals to Americans every day, 365 days a year, with more than 46,700 Chinese restaurants spreading across the 50 states.

4. No longer a niche market, Chinese cuisine has become an integral part of the American dining scene. About 72% of Chinese restaurants are open 7 seven days a week, year round. As a pay-off to all the hard work, Chinese cuisine has gained its way to the dining tables of American households everywhere.

5. About 49% of Chinese restaurants offer a menu that contains 100 –150 dish items. Less than 2% offer a menu that has fewer than 50 food items. The Top 10 best selling Chinese food items are Egg rolls, General Tao's Chicken, Broccoli & Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, Hot & Sour Soup, Wonton Soup, Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Foo Young and Fried Rice.

6. The most well-known food items are Egg Rolls, General Tao's Chicken, Peking Duck and Fortune Cookies.

7. According to a recent study, dishes that are gaining increased popularity include dim sum dishes such as Cha Siu Bao, dumplings, lettuce wraps with chicken, and finally steamed buns.

8. The most used Chinese herbs are ginger, ginseng, and wild berries.

9. The most-iconic Chinese eating utensils (tableware) include chopsticks and china.

10. Chinese food, Italian food and Mexican food have become the three most popular ethnic foods that are consumed daily by mainstream Americans, according to a survey done by NRA. Pizza, spaghetti, tacos, tortilla, egg rolls and fried rice are the favorite foods among Americans.