The United States is known for its love of fast food, but not all the chains that operate here are popular among Americans. Some brands just don’t make the cut! In this article, we’re sharing 17 of the most complained-about fast food chains in the country to help you decide where to skip next time you eat out.
Burger King
It’s said that Burger King’s remaining popularity is all down to the Whopper—its saving grace. In terms of the other menu items available, people aren’t loving the taste! All you have to do is look at Burger King’s disappointing ACSI score to see how dissatisfied customers are, despite the brand’s marketing efforts.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s food is notoriously high in sodium, calories, and fat. There’s also a running joke that eating here will have you making a beeline to the bathroom. Despite having a few popular menu items, like the Crunchwrap Supreme, customers aren’t that satisfied with the chain, which is facing criticism for quality in multiple states.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen’s desserts may be a hit, but when it comes to the actual food, people more often than not end up disappointed. As shared by Mashed, “Restaurant reviewers have remarked on their burgers’ peculiar texture, charred taste, and soggy buns.” There have also been issues with undercooked and tasteless food.
Subway
Subway has been around for as long as we can remember, but sadly, store traffic is declining, and the quality of food is the reason why. It was once praised for its healthier options but now struggles with customer retention, competing poorly even with lesser-known chains like Quiznos.
Little Caesars
The low prices and excellent deals have been keeping Little Caesars alive, but Americans feel its food is subpar compared to competitors. Struggles with consistent food quality have really impacted customer satisfaction. It may have a catchy slogan, but it fails to deliver on taste!
Popeyes
Another fast food chain declining in popularity is Popeyes. Americans complain that the food is often overly salty and the service isn’t the best. Not to mention, the brand faces frequent operational issues like broken drink machines. Its low ACSI score is reflective of its customer dissatisfaction.
Wendy’s
According to Eat This, Not That, “Customers continue to be irked by quality issues and price hikes” at Wendy’s. Despite a strong social media presence, the chain has been facing criticism for its food and service. And, unfortunately, past controversies still shadow current customer perceptions.
Jack in the Box
Is this your first choice when it comes to fast food? For many Americans, it’s definitely not. The chain supposedly struggles with flavor diversity and quality and also has a low ACSI score and limited regional presence. You’ll struggle to find anything low-calorie on the menu as well.
Panda Express
Americans have pointed out a notable decline in the quality of food at Panda Express, and overall customer satisfaction has been low in recent years. The chain has faced challenges in adapting to healthier dining trends and competition from other fast-casual Asian spots.
Arby’s
Arby’s customer feedback hasn’t been the best as of late. Americans are complaining about the brand’s low-quality and inconsistent food. The quality of the service is also not meeting people’s expectations. Overall, people say this chain needs a refresh in menu and service to revive its original brand image.
Hardee’s
“As impressive as 1,800 stores is, Hardee’s used to have over 3,100,” as told by Yahoo! Finance. The chain is known for its charbroiled burgers but has been criticized for inconsistency, receiving low customer satisfaction scores. Hardee’s old-fashioned marketing strategies are also not resonating with a diverse audience.
Carl’s Jr.
Did you know that Carl’s Jr. is a sister brand to Hardee’s? Unfortunately, this isn’t the only thing that the duo has in common. The chain shares many of the same issues—struggles with food quality and customer service. Its efforts to innovate the menu have not yet improved customer perceptions.
Quiznos
Among all the sandwich chains out there, Americans aren’t too fond of Quiznos, and the brand is said to have pretty low customer loyalty. It’s faced significant declines over the years, impacting its reputation, and it needs to address quality and service issues to regain its footing.
Sbarro
Sbarro is known for its mall-based locations but faces criticism from customers for its food quality. Over the past few years, it’s faced challenges in maintaining customer interest amidst fast casual growth. You won’t often find Americans rushing to go back for another slice!
Checkers
Mashed says, “The general consensus is that Checkers and Rally’s aren’t really known for high-quality ingredients and when they try to do anything beyond fast food, like steak, the odds aren’t in their favor.” The brand’s issues with food quality and service consistency don’t help them stand out in a market filled with stronger brands.
Sonic
Sonic’s iconic drive-in style dining is what makes it stand out, but nonetheless, it’s been facing a decline in customer loyalty. Americans criticize the chain for its high-calorie menu options and low nutritional content. It needs a real switch-up to get back on top!
A&W
Despite a nostalgic brand image, A&W struggles to meet modern customer expectations. There are just so many competitors out there, and consumers say it’s lagging behind, needing a menu and marketing refresh. You’ve got to get with the times to stay relevant, of course!