ChainMenus

US chain restaurant menus, nutrition and allergens

Try an item (“Big Mac”), a chain (“Wendy’s”) or an allergen (“sesame”).

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Guides

The rules behind the numbers: why chain restaurants post calories, which allergens they must account for, and how to read the nutrition values on every menu page, each checked against FDA sources.

All guides (3)

  1. Food allergens at restaurant chains: what the charts tell you

    The nine major US food allergens, what rules cover restaurant food, how chains publish allergen charts and where those charts stop short of a guarantee.

    AllergensReviewed

  2. Calorie labeling on restaurant menus: the federal rule

    Why US chains with 20 or more locations post calories, how calories are rounded and shown for sizes and combos, what is exempt and what must be given in writing.

    CaloriesReviewed

  3. Daily values: how to read % DV on restaurant nutrition facts

    The FDA Daily Values behind every percentage on ChainMenus item pages, how % DV is worked out from a chain’s published amounts, and the 5% and 20% rule of thumb.

    NutritionReviewed

What each guide covers

Allergens at restaurant chains

  • US law names nine major food allergens; sesame became the ninth on January 1, 2023.
  • Federal allergen labeling (FALCPA) does not cover food wrapped or boxed after you order it, which is most restaurant food.
  • The 2022 FDA Food Code asks restaurants to tell customers in writing which major allergens are in unpackaged food, where a state or locality adopts it.
  • A chain's chart lists ingredients; shared fryers, grills and prep areas can still bring an allergen into contact with an item.

Calorie labeling

  • The rule covers restaurants in chains of 20 or more locations operating under the same name with substantially the same menu.
  • Menus and menu boards must show calories and the statement “2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.”
  • Calories are rounded to the nearest 5 up to 50 calories and to the nearest 10 above that.
  • Ten nutrients, from calories to protein, must be available in writing on request.
  • Daily specials, custom orders, condiments for general use and items offered for less than 60 days a year are exempt.

Daily values

  • Daily Values are FDA reference amounts for adults and children 4 and over, set against a 2,000-calorie diet.
  • Sodium's Daily Value is 2,300 mg, saturated fat's 20 g and added sugars' 50 g.
  • FDA's rule of thumb is that 5% DV or less per serving is low and 20% DV or more is high.
  • Trans fat, total sugars and calories have no Daily Value, so they show no percentage.

Putting the guides to use

Every item page on ChainMenus shows the chain’s published nutrition facts with the % Daily Value worked out as the Daily Values guide describes, and the allergens the chain reports. 23 of the 24 chains we cover publish item-level allergen information; each has an allergen menu with a filter, starting with the McDonald’s allergen menu. To see how the same kind of item differs between chains, the comparison pages put 38 item types side by side, such as hamburgers.

The guides explain US federal rules as published by the FDA. They are general information, not medical or legal advice; if you have a food allergy, confirm with the restaurant before ordering.