Fast Food Restaurants- The Best and Worst in Customer Service
By DB
@dgobucks226 (34375)
September 10, 2022 1:54pm CST
I rarely eat at fast food restaurants, but I know many people enjoy their convenience and lower prices when compared to fine dining establishments. Therefore, I thought I'd ask how you rate their food and service based on your own personal experiences. I'll also share with you the latest rating from a poll of 24,000 respondents conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
From the index list I noticed some of these fast-food eateries are very popular with consumers. Places like McDonalds, KFC, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Dominoes and Chick-fil-A were frequently mentioned, as were other favorite franchises.
The chains were judged on food quality, friendly staff, items being cold, forgetting ordered items, giving you the wrong order, and cleanliness of the restaurants.
I've eaten at some of the more popular ones in my lifetime like McDonalds, Burger King, Dominoes, KFC and Wendy's, but have gone without stopping at one for more than 5 years (maybe longer). So, I definitely am no authority as to which is the best and worst place to go.
So, I turn to those who enjoy fast food to rate their favorites and least favorites among the places they frequent. Maybe if I do try fast food again, I'll use your experience as a guide as to which places to try and which to avoid. I promise to let you know if your choices were on the top 5 best and worst lists from the survey.
I await your picks and recommendations!
Source info- Cheapism
Photo- Reader's Digest
13 people like this
13 responses
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
11 Sep 22
We don't eat fast food that often; but we like Arby's, Wendy's and Dairy Queen. For pizza we like Pizza Hut. KFC has disappointed us of late.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
14 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 I've always wanted to try Panera's. I eat the chicken strips when I go to Arby's.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
Quite a list and some that were mentioned in the survey results. I tried an Arby's roast beef once but was disappointed in the food quality.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@LindaOHio Arby's is always funny to me. There's never anyone in there. @moffittjc suggested it may be a front for some money laundering operation or something. 
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86764)
• United States
10 Sep 22
Like you, it is a long time since I have actually been to a fast food place.
But recently I had ordered KFC on the Uber Eats app because of being too exhausted to cook chicken.
My favorite of all time is McDonalds..
My favorite of all time is McDonalds..2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
Well, cover your ears because McDonalds was rated the worst restaurant according to the survey. Customer service being an important factor, perhaps McDonalds need to hire a young and inexperienced employees (many being their first job) contributed to the poor score rating.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@RebeccasFarm I have to admit I am still a sucker for their double Quarter Pounder. Just something about it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159105)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Sep 22
I have always gotten good service and good food quality at Jack in the Box and Mcdonald's. Wendy's and Taco Bell come in second. I think you will find that where there is more of an age range in the work force the customer service will be better.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159105)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 .......Isn't it rather expensive?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
17 Sep 22
@celticeagle Probably... Isn't everything these days 
Fortunately, it was my brother's treat.
Fortunately, it was my brother's treat.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
I totally agree with that opinion about age and the work force. 
Funny, but it seems the worst rated places are the ones that are the best known. Perhaps the hiring of young people, many being their first job and lacking experience, contributed to poor scores on customer service?
BTW: These ratings are not mine but an independent survey. Years ago, I remember Wendy's being a good place to go. They had an excellent salad bar.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
Funny, but it seems the worst rated places are the ones that are the best known. Perhaps the hiring of young people, many being their first job and lacking experience, contributed to poor scores on customer service?
BTW: These ratings are not mine but an independent survey. Years ago, I remember Wendy's being a good place to go. They had an excellent salad bar.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.1 person likes this
@rebelann (111195)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Sep 22
I haven't been to any fast food eateries in decades but I have ordered pizza delivery from Pizza Hut, Dominoes and Piology over the last 5 years and can tell you I won't be doing that again anytime soon. Not only were they expensive but my pizzas looked like they'd been thrown around the back seat a few time before it got to me.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111195)
• El Paso, Texas
13 Sep 22
Burger King, What A Burger, Dairy Queen & Weiner schnitzel are down the bottom too.
Fast food is just that fast and usually not exactly made with quality ingredeints.
I wish there were more Italian restaurants here but that's not the case.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
Ha, ha! So much for those wonderful Dominoes commercials on TV. I used to get Dominoes years ago. Now I go local usually a pub which has a great reputation for pizza. I've rarely been disappointed.
I expect food quality is not the #1 reason people go for fast-food it's the convenience.
FYI:
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
16 Sep 22
McDonalds is an institution in the fast-food industry. I would say most people probably has experienced a McDonald's meal at some time. Not familiar with Jollibee. What's are they known for hamburgers or some other food?
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
16 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 Jollibee is a Filipino chain of fast food restaurants but they have branches abroad too
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
Yes, I have ordered Dominoes many years ago and found it above average compared to other pizza places like Pizza Hut.
Now I go local usually a pub which has a great reputation for pizza. I've rarely been disappointed.
FYI:
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
2 people like this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 I had forgotten about Jack-in-the-Box, but I do like their food. But it is another place I do not go to as often as some of the others.
Incidentally, I actually worked for Jack-in-the-Box for a little while before I went into the navy.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203452)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 I have never tried Panera for breakfast. Not impressed with lunch. Glad you enjoyed.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170025)
• United States
10 Sep 22
I think it is the luck of the draw not so much the chain.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
Possibly, but maintaining a good reputation with the eating public is important for any business.
The items there are nothing special that I can't make at home. But I expect food quality is not the #1 reason people go to them it's the convenience.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170025)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 Ummm, I like Chipolte, Jimmy John's over priced, but good breadk Chick Fil A not that impressed, Wendys I like , Jack in the Vox no clue...Popeyes, rip off, Mc D's eh...all in my opinon of course
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
16 Sep 22
@snowy22315 Thanks for the rundown. Never tried Chipotle but it seems to be a well-run franchise. Actually, I hardly ever eat at fast-food places, so I'll take your word for it 
P.S.
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
I had a bad experience there for dinner though when I ate there in 2015. Maybe they are better now?
P.S.
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
I had a bad experience there for dinner though when I ate there in 2015. Maybe they are better now?1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57727)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Sep 22
My husband and I go to local chains, and for the most part we don't really have a favorite.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
I also go to local pubs and eateries instead of fast food. I don't like to be rushed when ordering and eating, the food quality is better, and for the most part the service.
FYI:
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
@BreeSoFrugal1 (184)
• United States
13 Sep 22
Well, I don't eat out much but will go to Lee's Famous Chicken, or Popeyes sometimes the service is good sometime bad, because of the teenager's being on there phone and not paying attention on the job
1 person likes this
@BreeSoFrugal1 (184)
• United States
4 Oct 22
@dgobucks226 give Popeyes a try they have mild or spicy chicken, red beans and rice and fries try them.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
14 Sep 22
That's a very good point about the teens. Although they call it fast-food, customer service can be slow with teens working there. Also, the food is not always warm in some of the places. Never tried a Popeyes before.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73473)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Sep 22
The closest fast food places I have here are Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and Dominos, I can walk to those but have not been there for ages,
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
I see. Getting fast food from those eateries is just not on my radar. I'm sure they have improved the menus choices, but the items there are nothing special that I can't make at home.
FYI:
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Sep 22
I don't eat much fast food, but I think it's a random walk as far as customer service goes. But I believe that that one Christian burger place (a senior moment is preventing me from remembering its name right now) hires kids who are functional literates and nice people to work there.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
I just can't see spending good money on mediocre food and drink. The main reason I rarely go to one.
The items there are nothing special that I can't make at home. I prefer a sit-down atmosphere not a rush through line with so many selections on the sign and little time to make a decision.
I expect people who frequent fast-food places are not going for the food quality and outstanding service, but instead the convenience.
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205839)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 I think the place I do like is called In and Out. But I am not a big burger person at this point in my life.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
14 Sep 22
@TheHorse Oh yes, I've heard of that place. They are located primarily in California and the Southwest. Being from the northeast I've never been. So many burger joints around. The All-American food for those non-vegetarians 
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Sep 22
@dgobucks226 We do have a number of fast food outlets - McDonalds, Hungry Jacks (mostly burgers), Subway, KFC (used to be Kentucky Fried Chicken), Red Rooster, Dominos, Pizza Hut are the main ones.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
13 Sep 22
I just can't see spending good money on mediocre food and drink. The main reason I rarely go to one.
The items there are nothing special that I can't make at home. But I expect food quality is not the #1 reason people go to them it's the convenience.
Is there any popular fast-food like the U.S in Australia? I guess you have McDonalds they seem to be worldwide.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
16 Sep 22
@JudyEv Oh, very good! You as well represented as us Yanks
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
13 Sep 22
My preferences on where to go depend largely on where I am and what I feel like. The one area where many chains have "missed the mark" is that they do not do enough to "police" their franchisees. Burger King is notorious for this. The whole idea of a franchise is familiarity. So they should all have consistency in cleanliness, service and other things.
But it is what it is.
I frequent McDonald's and Burger King. I tend to eat fried chicken from Lee's Famous Recipe. I like Subway if I am looking for a sub sandwich over any of the others. Dominos I like, but they are on my naughty list, and anyway I prefer Pizza World.
An odd ball chain I like is Spangles, really on in the Wichita, KS area. I really like their food.
Culver's is a personal favorite, but I hardly ever eat there since right now there is not one really close by and I do think they are a little expensive. I will occasionally eat Taco Bell and Wendy's, but both of them rank lower on my list.
Back home in Wisconsin Oscar's was a personal favorite. I absolutely LOVED their giant mushroom and Swiss burger and their onion rings. I went to the one on Hwy 100 in Milwaukee often.
All in all, the bottom line is I don't mind fast food at all. Although I do not eat it very often. But I will still have it often enough, especially when I am on the road traveling for work.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34375)
•
14 Sep 22
I bet you have tried many eateries when you have been on the road for business. You could probably write a book about them
Good observation about the consistency from location to location with these franchises. Managers would play a key role there.
I remember the Burger King Whopper being pretty good especially when compared with McDonalds. I haven't ordered Dominoes in a dog's age and hate Pizza Hut's fake puree tomato sauce when I tried it once. Never went back there! I go to a local bar/pub for my pizza now. Ate at Taco Bell once and although inexpensive felt I could have made a much better tasty taco at home. Wendy's, I went to a couple of times in the mid-80's, and I did like their salad bar. As you can see, I don't go to fast-food very often 
Anyway, here is what this survey's results were (just the messenger)
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.
Good observation about the consistency from location to location with these franchises. Managers would play a key role there.
I remember the Burger King Whopper being pretty good especially when compared with McDonalds. I haven't ordered Dominoes in a dog's age and hate Pizza Hut's fake puree tomato sauce when I tried it once. Never went back there! I go to a local bar/pub for my pizza now. Ate at Taco Bell once and although inexpensive felt I could have made a much better tasty taco at home. Wendy's, I went to a couple of times in the mid-80's, and I did like their salad bar. As you can see, I don't go to fast-food very often
Anyway, here is what this survey's results were (just the messenger)
Ratings: Best Five- #5 Chipotle #4 KFC #3 Dominoes #2 Jimmy John's #1 Chick-fil-A
Worst Five- #5 Wendy's #4 Taco Bell #3 Jack in the Box #2 Popeye's #1 McDonalds (not loving it) lol
I recently went to a Panera drive-thru for breakfast. It was my brother's treat so thought I would give it a try. I ordered a sausage and scrambled egg on a ciabatta bun. I must admit it was very good and the drive-thru employee was efficient with the order and service. So, I would have to give Panera a thumbs up, at least for breakfast.