Richard Snead, CEO of Dallas-based Carlson Restaurants, which includes T.G.I. Friday's, says the diet trend popularized by the late Dr. Robert Atkins, prompted the chain to make some changes in its fare.

"It wasn't hard for us to figure out six or seven months ago we were in a changing culinary landscape," said Carlson. "We're under the influence of the Atkins revolution. It's a choice that consumers are looking for, and we need to change the perception of Friday's."

Snead said his company looked at the South Beach diet, which unlike Atkins places limits on saturated fats, but the organization created by Dr. Atkins was better-equipped to develop menus with the culinary specialists from Carlson.