I remember reading a slop article that stated how its rise is linked to people being more and more tired of spending 15USD+ plus on a single slop fast foodburger, so they filled in that niche with seemingly better* sit down restaurant foodChili's is making something of a significant resurgence. I don't know the details, but it's climbed up the "acceptable mid-point choice for a large group" really rapidly in the last 2 years. I think Applebee's shot itself in the foot or something.