IHOP and Applebee’s kick the can for kids

Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants on Long Island have removed soft drinks from the Kids Meals menu and placemats.

“We are all about giving people choice,” said Craig Hoffman, director of communications for dineEquity, the franchisor for Applebee’s Restaurants and IHOP , who made the announcement.A statement released by the company said, “We believe in having a broad variety of selections so our guests have a choice that best meets their needs. While soft drinks are still available by request, we believe this is a small step in assisting parents when dining out, as parents are in the best position to determine the appropriate food and beverage choices for their children.”

The new menus and placemats will be rolled out at all locations nationwide by spring.

Tim Yagnisis, the manager of the Oceanside IHOP, said the move follows other changes made to the chain’s menu recently. “First we introduced yogurt sticks and fruit cups. Last November we introduced applesauce in place of french fries. The breakfast is the same: eggs, bacon, pancakes, kids Funny Face, and now waffles and chicken and waffles, so we have lots of options. I absolutely support these changes.”

Yagnisis noted french fries are still on the kids’ menu, but in very small print.

The restaurants took action to better align with the National Restaurant Association Kids LiveWell program. The program helps parents and children select healthful menu options when dining out. Restaurants that participate in the voluntary program commit to offering healthful meal items for children, focusing on increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy, and limiting unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium.

Participating restaurants get promotional materials for qualified meals and individual menu items. Parents and caretakers get accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their child’s meal.

The two restaurant chains are following similar actions by McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and Dairy Queen.