Here are 5 chain restaurants we wish were in Hattiesburg and why they aren't here

Many Americans enjoy a good burger or chicken sandwich from the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant when they're on the go and appreciate being able to order the meal they've been craving at their favorite chain restaurant, no matter how close or far from home.

Although we can find these places most everywhere, there are some chains that do well in some places and not so much in others. More on that later.

Fast-food places are convenient, offer a lot of variety and are affordable. Picture a mother of two driving her kids and their friends to a soccer match and stopping for dinner along the way. Mom saves time by ordering at the drive-thru and the kids can order what they really want. By the time they get to the game, their meals are done and there's no mess to clean up.

Data collected by The Barbecue Lab indicate about 83% of American families eat at least one meal a week from a fast-food restaurant, and more than a third are eating at a fast-food place on any given day. About 20% eat their meals in their vehicles.

Chain restaurants are almost as convenient, with many located near exit ramps along interstates or in the busiest shopping areas in town. Diners know what's on the menu, what the food tastes like and how much it will cost, no matter where they are.

So why do some chains do well and others don't?

Pat Fontaine, executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, said there are several factors that make up the recipe for success for chain and fast-food places: Population, median income, location, traffic counts and traffic patterns.

An area's rate of growth also can be attractive to chains looking to add locations. The Southaven-DeSoto County area for instance is experiencing a faster rate of growth than other areas of the state, making it a more likely candidate for new restaurants, Fontaine said. Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast also are experiencing a lot of growth.

Post-COVID inflation and lifestyle changes also factor into a restaurant's success.

"Menu prices have increased 29% since February 2020," Fontaine said.

There are unknown factors or at least unforeseeable ones that might cause a chain restaurant to fail, even if it is popular in other areas, Fontaine said, like the P.F. Chang's that opened — and closed — in Ridgeland or the Jimmy John's near the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

"There are many factors that go into that," Fontaine said. "You have to look at a chain … and if they aren't achieving the sales they need to or population growth is stagnant or diminishing, I think that plays into their decision to close."

If you're like us, knowing all the trends and statistics about why our favorite chains aren't here doesn't stop us from wanting them. And just because the circumstances aren't right for them now doesn't mean they won't be in the future.

Popular or not, below are five chains that are on our wish list for the Hattiesburg area:

Applebee's

Applebee's shut its doors just before the coronavirus pandemic ramped up in Mississippi, but the closure wasn't supposed to be permanent. The restaurant closed March 1, 2020, with plans to reopen at another location in west Hattiesburg. It's unclear what happened to those plans, but since its closure there's been plenty of talk about the Hub City lacking an Applebee's.

In 2023, a Tennessee baseball fan created a satirical parody that took a jab at Hattiesburg because the city did not have an Applebee's restaurant. The team was on its way to Hattiesburg to play Southern Miss in the baseball super regionals.

With Mississippi being the Hospitality State, we're hoping Applebee's will return for the sake of our guests. In the meantime, we can ride over to Laurel to satisfy our craving for the restaurant's giant onion rings or loaded Brew Pub fries, for starters.

We don't have a what? Tennessee baseball fans troll Southern Miss on social media for lack of .... Applebee's?

What's the fuss? Tennessee fans weaponized Applebee's, so I went to Laurel to watch USM baseball. Here's what I learned

Whataburger

It seems like there's a Whataburger just about everywhere in Mississippi except for Hattiesburg. We counted a dozen locations between Southaven and Ocean Springs, with many of the restaurants doing well in cities much smaller than Hattiesburg. Southaven, which is slightly larger than Hattiesburg in population, has two Whataburger restaurants.

Like Waffle House, most Whataburger restaurants are open 24 hours and have a variety of breakfast items and sandwiches, but what makes Whataburger stand out is the chain uses 100% beef which is never frozen and cooked to order. In addition, if you're dining in, the staff will bring your food to your table.

Dunkin'

We love our Shipley's and our Krispy Kreme donuts, but who doesn't love a Dunkin'? Our answer? Anyone who hasn't tried them. Well, that might not be entirely true. Dunkin's coffees are a big draw, from it's "regular" coffee, which comes with cream and sugar already added, to its frozen and espresso drinks, it adds that something extra that makes it stand out.

Dunkin' dropped the Donuts from its company name about five years ago to note it was more than just another donut shop. Now it has savory options to offer in addition to the sweet. The chain serves sandwiches, bagels, wraps and more, giving it more versatility than other donut chains.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Qdoba has reigned supreme in the Hub City in the realm of fast-food burritos, bowls and quesadillas. And with free guacamole, it's definitely a favorite with us. But Hattiesburg is big enough for more than one, and we want that one to be Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Chipotle is very similar to Qdoba with a few differences. It's a bit more expensive, but along with that comes a meal that uses meats without hormones and everything is fresh, not frozen or canned.

Jason's Deli

Move over, processed foods. There's a new chain restaurant that offers healthier solutions for people on the go. Jason's Deli has two locations in Mississippi — one in Madison and the other in Olive Branch. Why not bring one to Hattiesburg? The Madison location opened in February, and it seems to be a hit.

The restaurant serves sandwiches, wraps and paninis and offers a mix-and-match manager's special with half a sandwich and a side dish for a lighter meal. The chain also has separate menus for vegetarian and gluten-sensitive diners.

What restaurants would you like to see in the metro area?Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Hattiesburg needs these 5 chain restaurants