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Coca-Cola, ‘Friends’ and hamburgers have been hailed among a list of the best ever American exports, a study has found.
Researchers who polled 2,000 adults also discovered we are still massively fond of BBQs, the iPhone and Nike, all of which originated across the pond. Animation powerhouse Disney topped the list with Amazon and Microsoft following closely behind.
Also appearing in the top 40 was Elvis Presley, Netflix and Facebook. An iconic of American culture, 'the diner' featured in the top 40, in the research commissioned by Harlie’s Diner; a new concept restaurant opening in Leeds today.
The West Yorkshire eaterie has been launched by serial investor and entrepreneur, Matt Haycox and is named after his daughter, 11.
Matt said: “So much of every day British life is influenced or has some flavour of American culture within it, and the spirit of a true American diner is something my daughter and I wanted to bring to life.
“It’s known that food brings people together, and judging from our research, food has helped unite the UK with the USA and we want to celebrate that with the launch of Harlie’s Diner.”
The study also found despite tying the knot with Prince Harry, Suits actress, Meghan Markle only just scraped her way into the top 40, ahead of Beyoncé and Jennifer Lawrence.
Researchers also found three in 10 said films from across the pond are better than those from the UK with 16 per cent in agreement American foods and recipes are more enjoyable.
Hamburgers topped the list of popular USA cuisine, followed by milkshakes, pancakes and the all-American hotdog.
In fact, nearly two thirds reckoned dishes from the states have a strong influence on food served in the UK.
And half agreed a lot their everyday goings on are influenced by American exports.
More than one quarter of Brits said American food is better than British, with 53 per cent saying it’s more indulgent.
Half said dishes from the States make for better comfort food and 48 per cent agree the flavours are more interesting.
The study also found many Brits are blissfully unaware many celebs, foods and TV shows are from the U.S. In fact 14 per cent were oblivious to the fact the recently appointed Duchess of Sussex came from the States.
One in nine were ignorant to the fact Coca-Cola made its way from the USA, with one in 10 unaware the Obamas are American.
More than half said they liked American exports, with 43 per cent in agreement Americans know how to appeal to mass markets.
And 15 per cent said they were swayed by their love of the American accent.
* Entrepreneur Matt added: “Harlie’s Diner is a lunchtime till late-night concept that brings something completely new from the other side of the pond.
''By day we’ll be serving the most Instagrammable burgers, milkshakes, and crepes, but by night our mixologists will be mixing up the most innovative cocktails and more till the early hours, to ensure that your night starts and ends well.
“We are hoping people in Leeds love Harlie’s as much as we think they will, and we can expand across the UK. However, as someone born and bred in Yorkshire, I’ll always remember that it all started here in my home city.”
On his inspiration for the new venture, Matt added: “My daughter Harlie had the idea for this whole concept, after she fell in love with diners when we lived in the US, and I bought a milkshake business in Las Vegas.
''Harlie was a big help with designing the milkshakes on the menu, and when I asked her what she would like to do in the future, and she said she’d like to follow in her dad’s footsteps in business - ideally with her own chain of American diners.
''After that, the rest flowed nicely, and here we are today opening our doors for the first time.
''Harlie has again helped make sure the milkshake menu is right and, if when she has finished her studies she still wants to then she’ll have the opportunity to take Harlie’s international.”
Top 40 best American exports:
1. Disney
2. Amazon
3. Microsoft
4. Apple
5. Tom Hanks
6. Elvis Presley
7. eBay
8. NASA
9. Coca-Cola
10. Star Wars
11. BBQ's
12. Levi's
13. Apple pie
14. iPhone
15. Ben & Jerry's
16. Nike
17. Meryl Streep
18. The Obamas
19. Hamburgers
20. Netflix
21. Friends
22. Doughnuts
23. Milkshakes
24. Fried Chicken
25. McDonalds
26. Harley Davidsons
27. Country music
28. Will Smith
29. M&M's
30. Marvel
31. Leonardo DiCaprio
32. American Diners
33. Calvin Klein
34. Oprah Winfrey
35. Facebook
36. The A-Team
37. Nirvana
38. Budweiser Beer
39. Starbucks
40. Meghan Markle
ENDS
