Americans' least favorite fast food chains From McDonald's to Subway, these chains aren't winning many points with American diners

Fast food originated in the United States, and today it is hard to travel anywhere in the country without encountering a major food chain. But while this food might be quick and cheap, Americans have begun prioritizing quality and freshness, as well as service, when it comes to their favorite spots. This can all be summed up in the American Customer Satisfaction Index's ranking of our nation's fast food chains.

The ACSI survey, released regularly, measures customer opinions to find out which is the highest-ranked fast food chain — and which ones people aren't biting for. The survey ranks these chains on several metrics that are standard across the food service industry. This includes things like the accuracy of the food order and quality of the mobile app — which are ranked the highest on the ACSI survey — as well as things like the variety of food and beverages, which are ranked the lowest. Other factors include the layout and cleanliness of the restaurant, the helpfulness of the staff, and the speed of checkout. Lastly, of course, there's the quality of the food itself. Based on these metrics, the restaurants are given a score between 1 and 100.

The worst-ranked restaurant, perhaps surprisingly, is the brand that encapsulates American fast food more than any other: the ever-popular McDonald's. The Golden Arches stands alone at the bottom of the list of 24 restaurants. A variety of other well-known brands, including Subway, Wendy's and Jack in the Box, also made the list.

11. Dunkin'

Despite being one of the largest coffeehouse and donut chains in the country, people don't seem to be running too fondly on Dunkin'. The company was rated 77 out of 100 in 2024; while this was the same rating as 2023, it drops the chain into the eleventh spot on the list.

10. Panda Express

Panda Express is easily the most recognizable Asian fast food chain in the country, with dozens of copycat recipes online for its iconic orange chicken. Despite this, the restaurant chain doesn't seem to be thrilling people too much, being rated 77 out of 100, the same as 2023.

9. Sonic

Sonic is a reminder of a bygone era as one of the few remaining widespread drive-in chains. But even though this helps them stand out, customers don't seem to be thrilled with the food, as Sonic received a rating of 76 out of 100. However, the company can rejoice in the fact that this was a 6-point increase from 2023, representing the largest single jump on the entire list.

8. Wendy's

The girl with the red braids was in the headlines earlier this year over a controversial plan to implement a form of surge pricing. Despite this, Wendy's still received a 3-point boost from 2023, earning a rating of 76 out of 100.

7. Little Caesars

Little Caesars remains one of the most economical options for pie lovers, with their website currently offering a standard cheese pizza for $7.99. Despite this, the chain still received a low rating of 75 out of 100, though this was a 1-point increase from last year.

6. Dairy Queen

You may not think of Dairy Queen as a fast food chain, but in some southern states, the restaurant is one of the "essential rites of passage," said Texas Monthly. Based on its hot food menu, Dairy Queen was rated 74 out of 100, a 1-point drop from 2023.

5. Subway

Subway is one of the fastest-growing sandwich chains, and has even raised concerns from Congress about a potential "big sandwich" monopoly. The U.S.' largest sandwich restaurant was rated 74 out of 100, representing a 1-point decrease from 2023.

4. Taco Bell

Over the years, Taco Bell has tried everything from breakfast to crazy Dorito taco creations, and in 2023 saw a 2% to 3% in order volume, according to CNN. However, this doesn't necessarily mean people are fans of the food, as Taco Bell earned a rating of 73 out of 100; this is a positive swing for the chain, though, given that they were ranked the second-worst fast food restaurant last year.

3. Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box is also growing quickly, and in November 2023 signed an order to open 123 new restaurants in multiple new markets. However, fast food goers do not appear to be biting on the menu, as Jack in the Box earned a rating of 72 out of 100, marking a 1-point deficit from 2023.

2. Popeyes

Their slogan may assume that people "love that chicken from Popeyes," but the fried-chicken chain only received a rating of 72 out of 100. This was a three-point drop for a restaurant that saw a 4-point increase from 2022 to 2023, and earns Popeye's the ranking of the second-worst fast food chain in the country.

1. McDonald's

The fast food restaurant that started it all is also the worst one in the country, according to consumers. McDonald's received a rating of 71 out of 100. While this was a 3-point increase from 2023 (when McDonald's was the only restaurant on the list to score under 70), it still places the ubiquitous burger restaurant solely at the bottom of the pack. In comparison, the highest-rated burger chain on ACSI's list, Five Guys, was rated seven points higher than McDonald's.

 The president of McDonald’s USA went on “Good Morning America” Thursday to announce that the deadly E. coli outbreak that made dozens ill and resulted in one fatality has been declared over. He apologized to the fast food chain’s customers and wanted to reassure them about the company’s commitment to food safety.

“We let people down,” Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA. “I want to apologize to all of our customers who were harmed by this incident.”

“We stopped using the supplier facility from which they came and we stopped sourcing onions from the farm. The CDC and FDA announcement earlier this week gave us the all-clear. The investigation is over, but the work’s not done at McDonald’s,” he told “Good Morning America” during an interview.

He also took the opportunity to share some new information that is sure to excite fans of the Golden Arches.

“Cult” item returning to McDonald’s in 2025

“The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” Erlinger revealed to ‘GMA’. He explained that the reason for the return of the “mouthwatering” menu item which is a crispy chicken tender, fresh lettuce, zesty pickles, and creamy garlic mayo, all wrapped in a soft tortilla is that “it has a cult following.”

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McDonald's Snack WrapMcDonald's

Unfortunately, customers who are craving its comeback will have to wait for further news on when it will be available in restaurants. Erlinger did not give a date and a post on McDonald’s Instagram account following up the announcement only says “snack wraps xx.xx.2025.”

In the meantime, customers can enjoy the extension of the popular McValue menu through the first six months of 2025. A new rollout of the popular cost-conscious-driven concept meal deal that offers customers an array of menu items for $5 will be coming shortly after the holidays.

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it can also be a stressful period, especially when you think of the expenses you are bound to run up. Christmas dinners are not only time-consuming to prepare, but they can also be potentially expensive.

Walmart aims to help customers keep the costs of Christmas down by offering a holiday dinner package that comes out to only $5 per person.

“I’m pleased to share we’ve been busy creating another new holiday meal – one last gift from the food team at Walmart this season – to help customers continue creating delicious memories around the table while spending less this season,” according to a statement by Walmart U.S. Executive Vice President for Food John Laney.

The store is offering a basket with several items, which is good for preparing a dinner for up to 12 people. The holiday meal bundle will be available through New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

Shoppers can avail of the offer both online and in stores and can have the complete package delivered straight to their homes.

Holiday menu for only $5 per person at Walmart

The holiday bundle includes ham, sides , and two dessert options. There are 28 items in all, from ingredients you need to make sweet potato and green bean casseroles to dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.

• Honey Cured Double Glazed Boneless Ham
• Brown Sugar Cured Double Glazed Boneless Ham
• Stove Top Stuffing Twin Pack (1)
• Great Value Gravy Powder (2)
• Brown & Serve Great Value
• Whole fresh sweet potatoes (4 units)
• Great Value Mini Marshmallows (10 oz)
• Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (2 Pack - 10.5 oz)
• Great Value Canned Green Beans (4 Pack - 14.5 oz)
• Great Value Whole Kernel Golden Sweet Corn (4 Pack - 15 oz)
• French's Crispy Fried Onions (1 unit - 6 oz)
• Whole Fresh Russet Potatoes (1 unit - 5 lb)
• Great Value Evaporated Milk (1 unit - 12 fl oz)
• 100% Pure Great Value Pumpkin (1 unit - 15 oz)
• Great Value 9-inch Fresh Pie Crust (1 ct - 16 oz)
• Marie Callender's Southern Pecan Pie (1 ct - 32 oz)
• Great Value Frozen Whipped Topping (1 ct - 8 oz)