Restaurant chains Applebee's and IHOP are going to drop soda from their children's menu across the nation. While speaking to ABC News, Craig Hoffman, a spokesman for DineEquity, the group that owns Applebee's and IHOP, said that they believe this was a little step in helping parents while dining out, as parents know better what is the appropriate food and beverage choices for their children.

Applebee's and IHOP, restaurant chains, have decided to dump soda from their menus for children countrywide. A spokesman for DineEquity, the group that owns Applebee's and IHOP, Craig Hoffman told ABC News that according to them, this was a small step to assist parents while dining out as they can better determine the right food and beverage choices for their kids.

According to the statement, the move hasn’t indicated that children won't get a chance to drink soda at all at the chains; soft drinks will still be there for adults who ask them for their little ones.

Hoffman said other menu beverages for kids like milk, hot chocolate, chocolate milk and, coming next spring, juice, are going to be featured in the IHOP's children's menu. He added that similar choices are present at Applebee's.

The statement read that they believe in having a huge variety of selections so that their guests have a choice, meeting their needs the best.

Applebee's and IHOP have joined a growing number of food chains that are cutting soft drinks from the beverage options present for children. In the middle of a push for food chains to provide healthier menu offerings, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Dairy Queen have all brought similar changes to their menus. Such changes have also been made by Chipotle, Panera and Subway.