[Margaret Pilkington]

Well that is entirely your choice of course, but I think it unfair of you to damn a whole range of these outlets if you(as you said) have not visited one for several years.
They are what they are.....a pub that sells food at competitive prices.....whether that food meets your standards depends I guess on how hungry you are and how much money you can afford to spend.
For myself, I choose to use them now and again because the food is a known quantity.
I have been in some higher end places and been equally disappointed because the food has not been to my taste(the food was probably great for someone else, but didn't do it for me).
Horses for courses!