Becca wrote on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:16:49 -0500:

B> Some of these are local chains, so they are not nationwide.
B> Some are not located near me, but I eat there when I travel.
B> At home, I eat at Mom & Pop restaurants most of the time.

Those may be chains but are they *franchises"? Those are
privately owned restaurants using methods an recipes licensed
from the owner of the name. Isn't there supposed to be a guiding
principle for travellers: "Never eat at a restaurant called
Mom's".

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not