Why do some restaurants display nutrition guides?

Some restaurants are mandated by law to display nutrition guides. Other restaurants may display nutrition guides as a courtesy to their patrons. In 2014, the FDA announced new rules requiring restaurants, pizza parlors and movie theatres to clearly post calorie counts on menus.

Restaurants that are mandated by law to post calorie counts on their menus are chain restaurants with 20 or more locations, who operate under one brand name and offer essentially the same menu items. These new rules were mandated as part of the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010. Supermarkets, amusement parks and vending machines are also included in the law and must provide calorie counts for select foods items.