Companies From McDonald's To Denny's Are Surfing The Natural Ingredient Wave

Denny's old pancakes were made out of a powered mix and water. The change not only results in a pancake that is 50 percent fluffier and tastier, but satisfies the growing trend of consumers demanding a better food offering, which includes higher-quality ingredients.

USA Today cited Mark Cotter, CEO of the consulting firm The Food Group, who said that if companies like Denny's don't change their pancake formula, consumers will simply dine at other restaurants that already offer a tastier breakfast.

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"If these companies do not modify what they put in their products [...] these brands will slowly die," he said.

Here is USA Today's brief list of other restaurant chains that have made changes to their menu to incorporate superior ingredients or cooking methods.

1. McDonald's Corporation MCD began testing a fresh hamburger patty instead of frozen ones and now uses margarine instead of butter for its grills.
2. Carl's Jr./Hardee's now make their biscuits fresh in-store using real buttermilk.
3. Panera Bread Co PNRA was one of the earliest pioneers of the "natural food movement" and is removing artificial ingredients in some or all of its products.

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