120 Restaurant Chains That Cook in Butter or Olive Oil (2026)
The good list. These tracked chains mention butter or olive oil in their cooking, both far lower in PUFA than any seed oil fryer. Read each note, because many kitchens use butter on the grill and still run a seed oil fryer for fried items.
| Handel's Homemade Ice Cream No cooking/frying oil — fat source is exclusively milk fat (butterfat ~14-16%) from heavy cream and whole milk base; nut mix-ins (pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanut butter) contribut | A (1.6g avg) |
| Jamba smoothies are near-zero PUFA unless peanut butter or almond butter added; bowls topped with granola (soybean/sunflower oil); açaí base has minimal PUFA | A (1.6g avg) |
| Haagen-Dazs Shop Classic five-ingredient formula (cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, natural flavor) is dairy-fat based and low PUFA; nut flavors (Butter Pecan, Pistachio) and mix-in flavors (Rocky Roa | A (1.7g avg) |
| Planet Smoothie no frying oil; PUFA from peanut butter (0.22), granola/oats, flaxseed add-in; fruit-only smoothies near zero | A (1.7g avg) |
| Smoothie King none (whole-food fats: peanut butter, almond butter, coconut, flax) | A (1.9g avg) |
| Ziggi's Coffee Espresso drinks, chai, and blenders are dairy-based (milk/half & half), so fat is nearly all dairy fat with near-zero PUFA; bakery items (croissants, muffins, cookies, cake pops) l | A (1.9g avg) |
| Fogo de Chao Churrasco meats are fire-roasted on skewers over an open flame, seasoned with just rock salt (no added cooking oil); sides vary by prep — Pao de Queijo is baked with corn oil, Cris | A (1.9g avg) |
| Pretzelmaker butter (brush on pretzels); dairy (cheese dips); beef fat (pretzel dogs) | A (2.0g avg) |
| Kilwins Butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and palm oil are the primary fats in fudge, chocolates, and caramels (all low-PUFA); ice cream base is dairy-only; peanuts and pecans are the mai | A (2.1g avg) |
| Caribou Coffee Commercial bakery soybean/canola oil (muffins, rolls, scones); butter-dominant for croissants based on high saturated fat ratios (~60-65% of total fat is saturated in croissants). | A (2.1g avg) |
| Twistee Treat Dairy-based soft serve (butterfat, PUFA fraction ~0.04); waffle/cookie items use canola or soybean oil in baked components — no published oil list found | A (2.4g avg) |
| Auntie Anne's Pretzels are baked and brushed with real butter (very low PUFA, 1-2g); soybean-oil-based dips (ranch especially) carry most of the PUFA. | A (2.5g avg) |
| 85C Bakery Cafe Palm+soybean margarine (palm-dominant, listed first) in most breads/buns; butter in Chocolate Croissant; hydrogenated palm kernel oil in Choco Bun chocolate chips; cream in drinks | A (2.5g avg) |
| The Original Pancake House clarified/rendered butter on the griddle for Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, potato pancakes, French toast, crepes and GF pancakes (no peanut oil); standard buttermilk pancake and waffl | A (2.6g avg) |
| Wetzel's Pretzels margarine/canola-soybean blend brushed on pretzels (not butter — Wetzel's uses a non-dairy margarine for vegan compliance on base pretzels); hot dogs in Pretzel Dog contain pork fa | A (2.6g avg) |
| Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store No frying oil used; ice cream and dairy items are made with 18% butterfat (butter fat PUFA fraction ~0.04); hot food items (grilled cheese, hot dog) not prominently offered at most | A (2.6g avg) |
| Paris Baguette butter/margarine blend, canola oil, soybean oil | A (2.7g avg) |
| Tous les Jours butter/margarine blend, canola oil, soybean oil | A (2.8g avg) |
| Elevation Burger olive | A (3.0g avg) |
| &pizza olive oil (dough/drizzle), soybean oil (processed meats/pepperoni/sausage) | A (3.0g avg) |
| The Dolly Llama No public disclosure; waffle dough is butter-based (brioche/egg batter cooked on iron); deep-fried items (waffle fries, churro bites) assumed canola or soybean blend — industry sta | A (3.0g avg) |
| Sheridan's Frozen Custard No frying oil — custard base is dairy fat (cream, milk, egg yolks); waffle cones likely use soybean/cottonseed shortening (standard industry formulation); peanut butter mix-ins con | A (3.2g avg) |
| Ben's Soft Pretzels butter-flavored topping is soybean-oil based (adds soy allergen, no dairy); pretzel dough is baked with no frying oil; pretzel dog uses beef/pork hot dog fat; Prizza/Pocket filling | A (3.3g avg) |
| Kolache Factory Butter/margarine in dough (no seed oil per allergen disclosure); animal fat in sausage/beef fillings; likely canola/soybean oil in muffin batters | A (3.4g avg) |
| Smallcakes Butter and palm/soybean-based vegetable shortening blend in cake batter and buttercream frosting; no official nutrition data published by corporate — inferred from allergen disclos | A (3.4g avg) |
| The Simple Greek Olive oil for cooking; gyro meat (lamb/beef blend) is spit-roasted; fries cooked in vegetable/canola blend | A (3.4g avg) |
| Joe & The Juice mayo/vegetable oil in tuna mousse & turkey mayo (soybean base, ~55% PUFA), vegan pesto oil on club/avocado sandwiches, avocado fat, almond butter in shakes and acai bowl (sources: | A (3.5g avg) |
| Waffle Love Butter is the primary fat in waffle dough (traditional liege recipe: butter, eggs, pearl sugar, wheat); waffle iron lubricated with butter or neutral oil per order. Fried chicken i | A (3.5g avg) |
| Au Bon Pain Canola/soybean oil (soups, dressings, sandwiches); butter (bakery) | A (3.5g avg) |
| Nick the Greek Canola or soybean oil for fries; olive oil on salads and rice; beef/lamb rendered fat in gyro meat; canola likely used for falafel frying | A (3.5g avg) |
| Salata Most dressings: soybean or canola oil base; Olive Oil and Balsamic dressings: olive oil; Jalapeño Avocado: avocado/soybean blend | A (3.5g avg) |
| Postino WineCafe Likely soybean or canola oil for frying and panini press; olive oil used on bruschetta bread | A (3.5g avg) |
| Mrs. Fields butter and soybean oil shortening blend | A (3.6g avg) |
| Modern Market Eatery Olive oil and avocado oil (primary cooking fats per brand claims); canola oil possible in dressings/baked items | A (3.6g avg) |
| CAVA Olive oil (primary cooking oil for proteins, vegetables, dips); canola/vegetable oil blend for falafel frying; tahini (sesame) contributes PUFA in spreads and lemon herb tahini dre | A (3.6g avg) |
| Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe olive oil for grilling (no fryers in any location); canola blend likely in dressings and sauces | A (3.8g avg) |
| Crisp & Green olive oil | A (3.8g avg) |
| La Madeleine Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups) | A (3.8g avg) |
| Luna Grill olive oil (grilling), soybean oil (falafel frying) | A (3.9g avg) |
| Carrabba's Sauté/finish: extra-virgin olive oil (primary); dressings and red sauces use soybean/canola blend. Frying (calamari, etc.): soybean oil blend. Weighted blend ~80% olive / 20% soybe | A (4.0g avg) |
| Tiff's Treats butter, palm shortening | A (4.0g avg) |
| Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza Olive oil (coal-fired, finishing); soybean/canola blend (wings frying) | B (4.1g avg) |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe canola/soybean blend (griddling wraps, flatbreads, quesadillas); smoothies are near-zero PUFA unless nut butter added | B (4.1g avg) |
| Gigi's Cupcakes butter and vegetable shortening blend (soybean-based shortening is the primary fat source per brand allergen disclosures; real butter also used in batter and frosting) | B (4.1g avg) |
| Cafe Zupas Canola/soybean oil blend used in soups and dressings; sandwiches contain mayo (soybean-based); olive oil used in some salads | B (4.2g avg) |
| CoreLife Eatery olive oil | B (4.2g avg) |
| Blaze Pizza extra virgin olive oil (dough drizzle, all pizzas) | B (4.3g avg) |
| Daphne's California Greek Soybean or canola oil for frying (falafel, fries, crispy shrimp); olive oil in dressings and marinades; dairy fat in tzatziki and fire feta. No official oil disclosure found — fala | B (4.3g avg) |
| Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh olive oil (grilling), soybean oil (falafel frying) | B (4.4g avg) |
| The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Soybean/canola blend for frying (fries, falafel, loukoumades); olive oil on grilled items, salads, rice, and pita; lamb/beef fat in gyro meat — no allergen PDF published, confirmed | B (4.5g avg) |
| Roti Mediterranean olive oil (grilled proteins), soybean/canola blend (fryer, dressings, garlic sauce), sesame (tahini sauce), mayo base (sandwich sauce) | B (4.5g avg) |
| Ted's Montana Grill canola, high-oleic variety used for the fryer since a 2007 menu-wide trans-fat elimination (restaurantinformer.com); trout is pan-seared in olive oil per menu description | B (4.5g avg) |
| Little Greek Fresh Grill soybean/canola blend (fries, pita chips); olive oil on grilled proteins | B (4.6g avg) |
| I Heart Mac & Cheese Butter and cheese sauce base (low PUFA) for mac bowls and grilled cheese; soybean or canola oil for Mac Bites fryer and Tater Tots; flatbreads baked with minimal added oil | B (4.6g avg) |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House butter (steaks broiled at 1800F, served sizzling on a 500F plate with butter; kitchen described as largely seed-oil-free with olive oil for some prep per seedoilscout.com and a loc | B (4.7g avg) |
| Grimaldi's Pizzeria Olive oil (coal brick-oven pizza); soybean/canola blend (salad dressings, fried starters) | B (4.7g avg) |
| Angry Crab Shack Butter (boil bags); soybean/canola blend (fried items) | B (4.8g avg) |
| Bonefish Grill Soybean oil (Bang Bang Shrimp frying, mayo sauces); butter (wood-fire grilled fish finish) | B (4.8g avg) |
| Gyro Shack No official disclosure. Kronos-style gyro meat (industry standard supplier) contains canola and soybean oil as minor seasoning/processing ingredients; gyro cone is beef/lamb tallow | B (4.8g avg) |
| Morton's The Steakhouse Steaks are grilled/broiled (finishing broiler up to 1000F) and butter-finished, so beef entrees are low-PUFA; Cajun Ribeye is marinated in a neutral oil before broiling. Morton's i | B (4.9g avg) |
| Crumbl Cookie butter-dominant dough (low PUFA per gram fat); canola/soybean oil present in frostings and fillings | B (5.0g avg) |
| Vocelli Pizza Soybean oil (dough, panned crust, garlic butter sauce base); soybean-based ranch and dipping sauces | B (5.2g avg) |
| Great American Cookies soybean oil shortening / palm oil margarine blend, with some butter | B (5.2g avg) |
| Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Soybean oil (bread toasting); canola oil dressings; real butter on some toasted items | B (5.2g avg) |
| Tender Greens Miso mayo and aioli (soybean-based) on sandwiches; sherry/lemon/balsamic/roasted tomato vinaigrettes (olive-canola blend); sunflower seed pesto; grilled proteins low fat | B (5.2g avg) |
| Insomnia Cookies soybean/canola blend (baked goods); butter component in cookies | B (5.2g avg) |
| Urbane Cafe soybean (aioli/mayo base), olive oil (dressings), canola (fryer/chips) | B (5.3g avg) |
| PrimoHoagies Olive oil (house dressing) | B (5.3g avg) |
| Biscuitville Soybean oil (frying); shortening/butter blend (biscuits); sausage/animal fat (gravy, griddle items) | B (5.4g avg) |
| MOD Pizza Extra virgin olive oil (primary drizzle/finishing oil); soybean oil in dressings (ranch, Italian, Caesar) and mayo-based items | B (5.4g avg) |
| Corner Bakery Cafe soybean oil (mayo, dressings, baked goods); butter in pastries | B (5.5g avg) |
| Tubby's butter/margarine blend (griddle); soybean oil (fryer) — no official allergen PDF found publicly; assumption consistent with Michigan sub shop norms and third-party tracker data sho | B (5.5g avg) |
| Salad and Go canola/soybean blend (dressings); olive oil (Mediterranean dressing) | B (5.6g avg) |
| Leo's Coney Island Soybean/corn oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; butter/margarine on griddle items | B (5.6g avg) |
| Taco Palenque vegetable/soybean oil for frying (chips, chimichangas, fried shells); likely lard or tallow in refried beans and some masa; butter on griddled items (quesadilla, pirata); no offici | B (5.6g avg) |
| The Broken Yolk Cafe soybean oil (frying: hash browns, chicken, churros, chilaquiles); butter/margarine blend (griddle: eggs, pancakes, omelets) — no official disclosure found; estimate based on catego | B (5.7g avg) |
| Penn Station East Coast Subs Peanut oil blend (soy) for fries; butter/griddle for cheesesteak meat; soybean oil (mayo) | B (5.7g avg) |
| Maple Street Biscuit Company Canola oil only for frying (owner-confirmed via Yelp Q&A); butter for biscuit baking and finishing; animal fat in sausage gravy | B (5.7g avg) |
| The Capital Grille Dry-aged steaks broiled/hand-carved and finished with butter (low-PUFA beef fat + butter); fryer is 100% soybean oil per the official allergen guide (thecapitalgrille.com nutrition | B (5.8g avg) |
| LongHorn Steakhouse Soybean/canola blend for frying; butter finish on steaks and grilled proteins | B (5.8g avg) |
| Mendocino Farms Soybean-based mayo/aioli for most spreads; olive oil vinaigrettes on some salads; canola oil in some house dressings | B (5.8g avg) |
| Another Broken Egg Cafe butter/margarine blend (griddle, eggs, pancakes), canola oil (sauté, frying) | B (5.8g avg) |
| Your Pie extra virgin olive oil (primary); soybean oil in dough blend | B (6.0g avg) |
| Keke's Breakfast Cafe soybean oil (griddle and frying, confirmed via official allergen guide); real butter also used per company marketing | B (6.0g avg) |
| Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken Canola oil for all frying (chicken, tenders, okra, beignets, fritters); real butter only in biscuits (no soybean shortening — 5-ingredient biscuit uses local soft wheat flour + but | C (6.0g avg) |
| Mimi's Cafe vegetable/soybean oil for frying (zero trans fat confirmed since 2005, specific oil not publicly named); canola or soybean blend for bakery and griddle; butter and cream for French | C (6.0g avg) |
| Dirty Dough Butter and vegetable shortening blend in cookie/bar/roll dough base (ratio undisclosed); waffle bites likely fried in vegetable oil (soybean or canola — unconfirmed); peanut butter | C (6.1g avg) |
| Noodles & Company Dishes are sauteed to order in a soybean-oil based liquid butter blend; pesto and dressings soybean/canola based; potstickers fried in soybean oil. Values below are regular size. | C (6.1g avg) |
| Outback Steakhouse Soybean/canola blend for frying; butter finish on steaks and grilled proteins | C (6.2g avg) |
| Bertucci's olive oil (pizza dough, sautéed dishes), soybean/canola blend (frying, dressings), butter (cream pastas) | C (6.2g avg) |
| Joe's Crab Shack Soybean/canola blend for frying; butter for steamed/boiled items | C (6.3g avg) |
| Halo Burger Soybean/vegetable oil (frying); soybean oil in olive spread sauce — no official allergen sheet accessible (squarespace PDF 404'd), but consistent with standard Midwest fast-food fr | C (6.4g avg) |
| Beau Jo's Olive oil confirmed in dough (3 tbsp per batch per official recipe/blog); wings are baked not fried per multiple sources; no deep fryer oil confirmed; nachos use pre-manufactured c | C (6.4g avg) |
| Fazoli's Soybean oil (pasta sauces, frying); butter-margarine blend on breadsticks (margarine = soybean-based). Primary PUFA driver: soybean oil (fraction 0.55); breadstick butter component | C (6.4g avg) |
| California Pizza Kitchen soybean oil (primary cooking/frying), olive oil (pizza dough, select dishes), butter (pastas) | C (6.7g avg) |
| Benihana Safflower oil on the teppan grill for hibachi entrees, fried rice, and tempura frying (consistently reported by hibachi chefs and copycat-recipe sources, and tied to Benihana's saf | C (6.7g avg) |
| Bruxie Soybean oil (frying); butter/dairy in waffle batter | C (6.8g avg) |
| Red Lobster Soybean oil (frying); butter (grilled/broiled); shortening blend (biscuits) | C (6.8g avg) |
| Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar soybean/vegetable oil for all frying (no public allergen PDF; industry standard confirmed via gluten-free community reports noting dedicated fresh frying oil; butter base for boil | C (6.9g avg) |
| Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants Undisclosed fryer/sauté oil (checked chwinery.com, official allergen guide, dairy-free guide - none name a specific oil); assumed soybean fryer + vegetable-oil sauté per default me | C (7.0g avg) |
| Jersey Mike's soybean and/or canola oil with ~25% olive oil (the olive oil blend on subs); no fryers | C (7.1g avg) |
| L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Vegetable/soybean oil for deep-frying (katsu, fried shrimp); butter-garlic for garlic shrimp; pork fat for kalua/lau lau; beef fat for BBQ items | C (7.1g avg) |
| Hideaway Pizza Soybean oil (frying); olive/canola blend (dough) | C (7.1g avg) |
| Ruby Tuesday soybean oil (fried items); beef tallow/butter (steaks/grilled) | C (7.5g avg) |
| The Flying Biscuit Cafe Signature biscuits are butter-based per the company's own published recipe (chilled butter, heavy cream, half-and-half; no shortening or oil) (food.com/recipelink recipes attribute | C (7.6g avg) |
| Lou Malnati's Buttercrust (butter-based dough), Wisconsin whole-milk mozzarella, sausage/pork fat; minimal soybean oil | C (7.7g avg) |
| Hattie B's Hot Chicken soybean oil (frying); cayenne-butter finish on hot levels | C (7.8g avg) |
| Buca di Beppo Cooks with an olive oil blend (olive cut with soybean/canola); fried appetizers in soybean oil; garlic bread brushed with garlic-infused olive oil blend. Portions are family-style; | C (7.8g avg) |
| Chopt canola/soybean (most dressings); olive oil base in Greek vinaigrette | D (8.0g avg) |
| Mellow Mushroom olive oil (dough brush, finishing); soybean oil (wings fryer, dressings) | D (8.0g avg) |
| Del Frisco's Grille Butter for steak finishing/basting (menu offers Bourbon Bacon, Blue Cheese, Garlic Herb, Truffle butter toppings on steaks); soybean/vegetable oil assumed for fryer items (Cheesest | D (8.2g avg) |
| Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Fryer oil is soybean oil (confirmed via a U.S. Soy industry case study where Firebirds tested high-oleic soybean oil against its standard soybean frying oil, food.ussoy.org); wood- | D (8.4g avg) |
| Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls | D (8.5g avg) |
| Daddy's Chicken Shack Canola/soybean blend (buttermilk-brined, pressure-fried; Nashville hot baste adds spiced canola oil — no tallow disclosed) | D (8.7g avg) |
| Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Soybean/canola blend for frying; butter used in sauces and steamed/boiled items | D (8.7g avg) |
| Fleming's Prime Steakhouse Steaks broiled and finished with butter/tallow (low PUFA); fried items (calamari, onion rings, crab cakes, fries) cooked in a shared fryer, assumed soybean oil per standard steakho | D (8.8g avg) |
| O'Charley's soybean/vegetable oil (frying); butter on rolls | D (8.8g avg) |
| bb.q Chicken canola/soybean blend (industrial frying); olive oil referenced in marketing for select sauces only | D (9.1g avg) |
| Maggiano's Little Italy Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried i | D (11.6g avg) |
| Wingstop Everything is fried in soybean oil (~55% PUFA) — beef-tallow switch rumors are FALSE; buttery dry rubs (lemon pepper, garlic parm) and soybean-oil ranch/blue cheese dips add the mo | F (15.9g avg) |
See also
Other oils: Peanut Oil · Canola Oil · Soybean Oil · Chains frying in beef tallow live on Tallow Watch · Why undisclosed means soybean: the distributor oils page · Full grades: the Seed Oil Index.