A Columbia restaurant is ahead of the pack as businesses across the country change the way they prepare food to address the national obesity epidemic. Since it opened two years ago, Chick ?N Friends, an American-style carryout restaurant, has used trans fat-free oils to prepare its food ? a move that has paid off handsomely both for the bottom line and customers.
“We?re ahead in sales about 27 percent, from November and December 2005 to November and December 2006,” said Rhodney Lloyd, who owns the business with his wife, Cassandra; son, Jarrod; and daughter, Kemberly.
After Chick ?N Friends opened, it attracted a following of customers who boasted about the food?s great taste and the healthy way the owners prepare the signature dishes: chicken, fish and ribs.
“We used to use peanut oil, but we decided to switch to canola after learning of all the allergies to peanuts,” said Cassandra Lloyd.
Elsie Coleman, of Jessup, said she appreciates that the food isn?t cooked in transfat-laden oils.
“I like that the food tastes great and is healthy,” she said.
“It is more expensive to use canola oil, but we?ve made that commitment to helping our customers live healthy lives.” Rhodney Lloyd said a 35-pound container of canola oil costs $18, $7 more than cooking oil containing trans fat ? commercially produced fats known for clogging arteries that lead to heart disease.
It also costs more to give the food a nice flavor without the use of MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer that has generated controversy for its links to headaches, said Rhodney Lloyd.
For a 40-pound box of seasoning without MSG, the price is $54, $9 more than the same box containing MSG.
“We know that fried food is a major health issue, and we want to make sure that our customers eat food that is heart healthy,” he said.
The Lloyds aren?t alone.
New York City officials recently made national news by calling for a ban of trans fat at local restaurants. And Wendy?s and KFC are among the fast-food chains that have committed to changing to healthier cooking oils.
More information
» Chick ?N Friends
Long Reach Village Center
8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia
410-992-4035
