While fast food is a convenient, quick, and affordable meal solution, it loses its advantage later. Recently, consumers have become even more interested in high-quality, fresh produce, orderliness, and of course, excellent service. However, there seem to be many fast-food stores for their customers that are struggling to achieve these specifications. As one would expect, this implies that consumers want to return much less. A Customer Picks survey found that some of America’s most popular restaurants have been ranked by consumers. These scores are based on the brand’s customer loyalty. If you want to find out which fast-food restaurants in the United States are the worst and why their clients have failed, read on.
The Worst American Fast-Food Chains Ranked By Customers
Arby’s
Arby’s just doesn’t have the best track record, as only 44 percent of individuals come back for a second burger. Not only do several diners seem to get sick from eating one of their famous roast beef sandwiches, but they have also now acquired the public image: “expensive yet delicious trash.” The chain has too faced speculation about a certain extra ingredient that they incorporate into their food. Let’s all just say you would never want to eat there again.
Consumer Score: 44%
Arby’s
Starbucks
While Starbucks was once the place to be and to be seen, that appears to be no longer the case. These times, the powerhouse of coffee is struggling financially. Their flashy drinks, delicious pastries, and artistic mugs, as well as cups, are not as attractive as they were once to customers. Interestingly enough, the Starbucks stores in malls do the smallest amount of business.
Consumer Score: 44%
Starbucks
Wingstop
For their fix of oily chicken wings, salty fries, and heaps of ranch dressing for Wingstop, around 44 percent of clients come back. While the company receives excellent reviews for its sweet fries and house-made ranch dressing, the reason for the low customer rate of return is the saltiness of the food and its sub-par boneless wings. It is recognized that too much salt is used by Wingstop on its wings, so much so that they are difficult to enjoy.
Consumer Score: 44%
Wingstop
Boston Market
The Boston Market had over 1,100 locations across the U.S. in the 1990s. Fast forward to today, and the brand only has 400 stores remaining. Their prominence came from their rotisserie of chicken, with customers excited about the idea of not trying to prepare a whole chicken at home. But their claim to fame is now the reason for the absence of customers. It was an easy process to repeat, and most grocery stores offer roasted chickens for a fraction of the cost.
Consumer Score: 43%
Boston Market
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is the only place you can discover upside-down ice cream…cue the watering mouths! The chain started in 1940, and their gravity-defying blizzards have also been running fine since then! The bad comes with the good, however. Consumers complain that their ice cream is not real, that it tastes like both plastic and oil, and it melts too fast. Dairy Queen also serves food, but the reviews for that are not too great either.
Consumer Score: 43%
Dairy Queen
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco, a fast-food diner, got its start in Mexico back in 1975. In Spanish, the founder, Francisco Ochoa, named the chain ‘The Crazy Chicken.’ And it wasn’t until 1980 that the American people eventually got a dose of the goodness of Ochoa. While only 43 percent of customers come back to the Mexican food restaurant, consumers are not attracted by bad service and low-quality food. The staff is rude, but the processing time is exceptionally long, and the orders are often wrong.
Consumer Score: 43%
El Pollo Loco
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a favorite of the crowd, and in 2018, it was even crowned, “America’s favorite Mexican restaurant.” The most popular items in the chain are the Nacho Fries, the CrunchWrap Supreme, and the Beefy Chalupa. Although some might see them as the best, others declare that they are at the bottom of the lot. As per Consumer Reports, Taco Bell’s burritos are consistently rated as the least tasty, and their food doesn’t keep diners full.
Consumer Score: 43%
Taco Bell
Bojangles’
The first store of Bojangles was in Charlotte, North Carolina, and also only the chain that continues to exist today in 12 states, three of which are Alabama, Maryland, and Florida. The fast-food joint was originally developed in 1977, but is still recognized as one of the terrible chains of the nation. Their fried chicken as well as buttery biscuits just don’t really gain enough interest. Many folks despise their biscuits, and this also includes taste testers from the Washington Post.
Consumer Score: 42%
Bojangles’
Subway
Don’t let Subway’s huge number of stores throughout the nation affect your view of them. The best-selling Fresh Fit Choices and five-dollar footlongs no longer cut it. They shut down over 1,000 stores back in 2018. People prefer hormone-free meat as well as locally sourced produce instead of the processed choices that Subway offers. Two competitors are currently knocking Subway off its wheels, Firehouse Subs as well as Jersey Mike’s. In the process the company alters its bland menu, so let’s just see what happens!
Consumer Score: 42%
Subway
Krystal
Krystal is most often placed in the same category as White Castle, since both joints offer small burgers. While they perform better than White Castle, and consumers love their corn pups, they’re not perfect. Consumer reports claim that Krystal has the worst burgers in the entire nation. The oversized buns do not measure up with the tiny patty, and the flavor is at best unimpressive, along with the sauce.
Consumer Score: 41%
Krystal
Domino’s
Domino’s is not a personal favorite among consumers, thanks to the cardboard-like flavors of their pizza as well as their plastic-esque meat. People say that their sauce is far more ketchup-like than pizza sauce, if this isn’t terrible enough. Back in 2009, the company claimed their food was pretty lackluster, so they managed to rectify it. Ten years later, we are all here, and it is now widely recognized as one of the country’s worst.
Consumer Score: 41%
Domino’s
Long John Silver’s
Just that and no more is served by this provider of fish-and-chips and hushpuppies. Too bad Long John Silvers’ food is salty, greasy, and too stale for dinner to enjoy. It is also complained by people that their food is often cold and overcooked. Most of the fried fish they produce is battered, and no meat at all is present. The requests for missing products, huge queues, and poor customer service ultimately make it a reason not to return.
Consumer Score: 41%
Long John Silver’s
Taco John’s
Although Taco John’s clients love the Potato Olés, only 41% come back, primarily because of the lackluster menu. White burritos are often strangely wrapped up, and the salad tacos are just thrown together with zero effort. Not only is the presentation bad, but so is the taste of the food. This is yet another chain that receives excessively salty food complaints. Diners also whine that the cheese tastes fake and that the meat is covered with oil as well as grease.
Consumer Score: 41%
Taco John’s
Wienerschnitzel
Wienerschnitzel, also known as The World’s Largest Hot Dog Chain, dishes out about 120 million hot dogs every year! And although the company was founded back in 1961, due mainly to low-quality food, it has a limited number of customers coming back for more. The chain’s flesh is awful, almost always burnt, and often bland. The bun is also much larger than the dog itself, meaning everything you taste is bread and no meat. Their fries also do not have the best rep, thanks to their rubbery texture and mushy-ness.
Consumer Score: 41%
Wienerschnitzel
KFC
KFC has already been struggling for years now as consumers no longer trust their food. In 2002, they had 5,742 locations, and that number fell to 4,270. For 2016. The chain faces rumors claiming that they infect their chicken with steroids, although they deny all claims. Customers are not fans of the large dining rooms and of the poor food quality. Customers declare that their chicken is soggy, and therefore only crispy when it is burned up, although crunchy, crispy meat is advertised by the brand.
Consumer Score: 40%
KFC
Cinnabon
The pastry powerhouse peoples we all know, and love continues to offer warm, gooey cinnamon buns that taste like heaven. But for some reason, only 40 percent of consumers come back after obtaining their sugar-fix, for some reason. The chain is working to make things change, and diners don’t seem to be too amused. Their low-quality meals and terrible service discourage customers from coming back for more. Many consumers also complain that their buns are heated rather than fresh from the oven.
Consumer Score: 40%
Cinnabon
Del Taco
Del Taco, a Mexican fast-food chain, is noted for its cinnamon churros and taco combos. However, consumers grumble over long queues and unattractive meals, which is why only 40 percent of people come back for even more nachos. They don’t taste their meat, and in their burritos they put too much rice, but somehow they still get positive reviews. We’ll only have to sit tight in the future and see what’s in store for them.
Consumer Score: 40%
Del Taco
Einstein Brothers
For their ‘gourmet’ bagels, only 40 percent of customers return to Einstein Brothers. Numerous guests grumble about both the freshness and blandness, choosing bagels from the superior quality grocery store instead. Not only are their bagels bad but people also complain about bad customer service and bitter coffee. Accuracy and timeliness are not their selling points, if you get what we mean!
Consumer Score: 40%
Einstein Brothers
White Castle
For their ‘gourmet’ bagels, only 40 percent of customers return to Einstein Brothers. Numerous guests grumble about both the freshness and blandness, choosing bagels from the superior quality grocery store instead. Not only are their bagels bad but people also complain about bad customer service and bitter coffee. Accuracy and timeliness are not their selling points, if you get what we mean!
Consumer Score: 39%
White Castle
Panda Express
Panda Express is the largest chain of Asian restaurants in the USA. The joint was established back in 1983, and they have 2,000 stores nationwide today. Panda Express claims that they serve Chinese gourmet food, but customers whine that the food has a lack of flavor and overpriced products. Chef David Chang and BuzzFeed often have Panda Express at the center of controversy. BuzzFeed asked Chinese people to try the chain’s food, and their answers were amusing. One of the food tasters said Do I gnaw on my own thumb, or do I get the orange chicken?”
Consumer Score: 39%
Panda Express
Church’s Chicken
Back in the 1950s, this supplier of chicken, fries, and biscuits was first launched and is referred to as Chruch’s Chicken. The restaurant is not seen by many returning customers, mainly due to poor-quality food, the worst of the worst being hand-breaded fish, honey-butter biscuits, as well as popcorn shrimp. Although no one says the chicken is greasy or dry, the disheartening taste makes them grumble. Consumers also get frustrated with the hardness of the biscuits, but the chain hopes to turn things around with improved service and food.
Consumer Score: 38%
Church’s Chicken
Wendy’s
As we have seen from the figures, it appears that individuals no longer value both Wendy’s and their square hamburgers. Their signature of Frosty and sea salt fries does not cause individuals to come back to see more as they scored 38% in customer satisfaction. The 2005 incident of the “finger in chili” and the 2018 ordeal of the “live mouse in bun” will also never live down the chain. Poor Wendy’s, they can’t get a break, apparently! Their inflated prices, flat burgers, stale buns, and old vegetables are also complained about by diners.
Consumer Score: 38%
Wendy’s
Little Caesars
You are probably familiar with Little Caesars, not so much because of their meat, mostly because of their renowned catchphrase, “Pizza! Pizza!” The chain is also known for selling a large cheese and pepperoni pizza for only 5 bucks. But you get what you pay for. Consumers, though they boast of high-quality ingredients and freshness, have a different view. Diners contend that the food is not fresh and that everything tastes bad. Little Caesars is often mocked for using low-quality ingredients and also for their cardboard-like pizza flavoring.
Consumer Score: 37%
Little Caesars
Checkers
Since 1986, Checkers has been the place to go for hot dogs, burgers, fries, and milkshakes. However, diners are not pleased with the low-quality meat, terrible customer experience, and the long wait times. The criticism doesn’t stop there. Checkers are mocked so often for their flavorless burgers as well as tasteless iceberg lettuce, but they have few other interesting things to do for them. Diners are raving about their banana milkshakes and fries as well.
Consumer Score: 36%
Checkers
Sonic Drive-In
Carnival-style food, happy hour, retro-theme, drive-in as well?! To Sonic, it looks like a dream. In the fast-food chain, 6 and only 6 items are sold: burgers, onion rings, corn dogs, slushies, milkshakes, and chili dogs. Even though it all sounds like fun and games, the low-quality snacks and lack of freshness deter customers. Sonic’s cheeseburger is a fairly common thing, but somewhere they go wrong. Their burger is considered unseasoned as well as dry, and the lettuce is often wilted and too large for the sandwich.
Consumer Score: 36%
Sonic Drive-In
A&W
A&W obtained its claim to fame from their popular draft root beer and root beer floats. The majority of people don’t know they’ve been there since 1919, and they’re also known for their burgers! The main reasons for complaints are root beer, the food itself, and by far, their best-seller, customer service. Diners often grumble about fries that are both oily, greasy and gross in excess. One customer said that eating A&W fries is like ingesting a cup of oil.
Consumer Score: 35%
A&W
Auntie Anne’s
Auntie Anne’s is known to be their best-seller for their delicious sweets, the drool-worthy salted and cinnamon pretzels. Auntie Anne’s first-ever branch was opened back in 1988 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and they have been going strong ever since! Even though our beloved pretzel supplier has seen a decrease in sales as of late, the main reason is their location. Most Auntie Anne’s are in shopping malls, and today, with the rise of Amazon, shopping malls are less popular than ever.
Consumer Score: 35%
Auntie Anne’s
Quiznos
The popular sandwich hub, Quiznos, has not been so hot in recent years. Thanks to financial issues and store closings, Quiznos now has only 800 stores left in the U.S. This decrease from the 5,000 they had in 2008 is drastic. Customers complain about the inflated prices, which is a major reason why in 2014 Quiznos filed for bankruptcy. When Subway started their $5 footlong campaign, Quiznos tried to contend with their very own discount, a huge shock, it didn’t work.
Consumer Score: 35%
Quiznos
Hardee’s
The home of charbroiled burgers and contentious ads is none other than the South and Midwest chain: Hardee’s. With KFC, McDonald’s, and Jack in the Box, Hardee’s is renowned for their consistent competition. Hardee is not afraid, at least, to acknowledge that they have fallen short. In 2003, they recognized that their menu was complicated, their food was not outstanding, and their service was sub-par. Since customers still complain about the joint, however they have not seemed to change one bit.
Consumer Score: 34%
Hardee’s
Jimmy John’s
Jimmy John’s, also known as JJ’s, is another fast-food chain with a good headline, and “Freaky Fast, Freaky Fresh” is theirs. The gourmet sandwich store made all employees sign a non-compete clause in 2016, preventing employees from working at any type of deli until 2 years after finishing at JJ’s. A couple of states took the chain to court, and JJ’s was in turn told to completely remove the clause. However that is not all. JJ’s is in charge of a range of food poisoning outbreaks.
Consumer Score: 34%
Jimmy John’s
Sbarro
Neil Irwin of the New York Times once said, “You eat Sbarro not because you want Sbarro, but because it is the food that is available at the moment you want some food.” Most guests agree with him as only 34 percent come back for more. Due mainly to the disgusting food, the pizza place seems to see a drop in repeat buyers. It’s yet another joint that is often located in malls, and a dying location comes with reduced business.
Consumer Score: 34%
Sbarro
Burger King
Recently, Burger King, known as the Home of the Whopper, has been creating news articles for its new options. The addition of tacos as well as vegan burgers has perked some ears up, although most people choose the initial whopper. But because of convenience, the majority only resort to the chain, not necessarily for the taste. Their burger, despite being the home of the whopper, is really plain as well as tasteless. The ratio between the hamburger toppings and the patty itself is also way off.
Consumer Score: 33%
Burger King
Carl’s Jr.
Initially, a hot dog stand, Carl’s Jr. has been recognized for its burgers and hypersexualized commercials as a fast-food chain. The joint was created in Los Angeles in 1941, but we’re unsure how much longer it will be around. Guests aren’t fans of advertising or food. While they brag about their big burger, it’s also quite untidy, associating it with a less than desirable dining experience. They have also raised the rates in recent years, but the quality has not improved along with the cost.
Consumer Score: 33%
Carl’s Jr.
Jack in the Box
Throughout 1951, Jack in the Box was first created as a burger joint. Today, they offer various options, including fries, tacos, fajita pitas of chicken, and an all-day breakfast. For their funny-looking mascots and hilarious ads, they are remembered primarily. But, sad to say, they don’t have the greatest track history. Many customers say that the food is pretty disgusting, especially the deep-fried tacos. On various social media sites, guests have characterized the food as “vile” and the tacos “a wet envelope of cat food.”
Consumer Score: 33%
Jack In The Box
McDonald’s
The most famous fast-food chain is also ranked as one of the worst, even though McDonald’s is worldwide. People would prefer quality rather than quantity, although they sell many burgers and that there is simply no McDonald’s quality. Although McDonald’s uses 100% USDA-inspected beef without additives, fillers, extenders, and “pink slime,” they are frozen and therefore not the freshest.
Consumer Score: 28%
McDonald’s