Top 5 Franchise Foods (in no particular order):
1. Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana: What I had for lunch, which is what inspired me to do this post. Pretty much every entree at the OG is an exercise in disappointment, but this soup is a joy. A creamy, spicy broth swimming with potatoes, kale and chunks of sausage, it's a perfect meal by itself (or even better, paired with their buttery, slightly salty breadsticks... the only other really good item at OG).
2. Wendy's Chili: Generally Wendy's is one of the better fast food chains. But their fries are a bit bland. Better to substitute for a bowl of their surprisingly tasty chili, which is a healthier option anyway. Once in a while you'll get a cup that's a little too soupy, but usually it's got the right balance of ingredients. Hot sauce is a must, cheese and onions optional.
3. Arby's Mozzarella Sticks: It's FRIED CHEESE, what's not to love? Sure, it's terrible for you but what a guilty pleasure. Delicious with or without marinara. Red Robin also makes pretty good mozz sticks. The ones at Jack in the Box are awful, though.
4. Popeye's Spicy Fried Chicken: With a light, crispy batter that packs just enough of a kick, Popeye's blows KFC out of the water. There isn't a franchise near me, but every once in a while I'll make the 45 minute round trip just to have some. Caveat: cold leftover KFC is better than cold leftover Popeye's.
5. White Castle Sliders/Burgerville Rosemary Shoestring Potatoes: A tie for two regional selections. I don't live in the Midwest any more so I rarely get a chance to indulge in WC's little "belly bombers", but the frozen supermarket version is actually not a bad substitute (and a bonus, they don't come with pickles, which I hate). Here in the Pacific Northwest we have Burgerville, but frankly I don't care at all for their burgers. They're probably better for you than a Big Mac or a Whopper, but the patties are flat, flimsy and tasteless. Their seasonal rosemary fries, however, are absolutely craveable. I wish they carried them year round.
(I left off Giordano's stuffed pizza... it's the best food in the universe, but I don't consider them large enough to really qualify as a "franchise")