Chain Grades
Every chain in our database is graded A–F across four independent metrics. Grades are letter-scaled within quintiles — an A means a chain is in the top 20% of all chains for that metric; an F is the bottom 20%.
Grades are calculated using the Standard profile and exclude commodity beverages (drip coffee, brewed tea) that are identical across chains.
Grade Scale
The Four Metrics
The median damage score across all food items on the menu, ranked relative to every other chain. A low median means the typical item is nutritionally light — the whole menu skews healthy, not just the salads.
Best for: Getting a quick read on whether a chain is generally good or bad.
The percentage of food items that fall within a single-meal nutritional budget — 650 cal, 800 mg sodium, 12 g sugar, 20 g fat, 75 g carbs. A higher ratio means more items to safely choose from.
Best for: When you're not sure what you'll order and need options.
The average damage score of the healthiest 25% of items on the menu. This rewards chains where even the "healthy" picks are genuinely light — not just labeled salads that are heavier than a burger.
Best for: When you already know you'll order something from the lighter end.
A blended signal: 70% escape rate (how many items fall below the global median across all chains) plus 30% best-item quality. Balances breadth of safe options with peak quality.
Best for: An overall verdict when you don't know which metric matters most.
Single-Meal Budget
The raw damage score for each item is a weighted sum of how far each nutrient exceeds its single-meal threshold — one-third of the FDA/AHA daily recommended limits, assuming three meals a day. A raw score of 1.0 means an item exactly hits budget; above 1.0 means over.
Damage Control is an informational tool only. Scores and grades reflect nutritional data relative to population averages — they are not personalized health guidance. If you have a medical condition, dietary restriction, or are managing a chronic illness, consult a qualified healthcare professional before making food choices based on this app.