The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its list of best fast food restaurants, with Chick-fil-A taking the top title for the seventh straight year.
Of the fast food places, also known as limited-service restaurants, Chick-fil-A came in first place with a score of 83 out of 100. The chain also beat out all full-service restaurants included in the survey, with LongHorn Steakhouse on top of that category with a score of 80.
Despite being the best-rated fast food joint, Chick-fil-a did drop from their score of 84 in 2020. Here are the top five rankings:
- Chick-fil-A, 83
- Domino’s, 80
- KFC, 79
- Starbucks, 79
- Five Guys, 78
As for worst-rated fast food chains, McDonald’s claimed that lowest spot with a score of 70. Jack in the Box, Popeyes, Sonic and Wendy’s were above with a score of 73. In comparison, the average score of limited-service restaurants was 78. Subway had the biggest drop in this year’s rankings, from 79 to last year’s 75.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many restaurants, both sit down and fast food, having to adjust to serving customers, such as offering take-out options and delivery services.
Fact check: Chick-fil-A is not releasing a steak filet sandwich.
LongHorn Steakhouse and Chick-fil-A top 2020 list:America’s favorite dining and fast food restaurants
Even as states across the country begin to allow dine-in seating, managing director at the ACSI, David VanAmburg, said the value of convenience shouldn’t go away. Full-service restaurants had an overall score of 80, the second highest of all rated industries behind breweries.
“During the pandemic, folks got a taste for what it’s like to have food from their favorite restaurants delivered right to their door. And now that they’ve gotten used to this service, there’s no going back. Restaurants need to continue to give customers all the options they’ve become accustomed to over the last year and a half. If not, they might grab a bite somewhere else,” VanAmburg said in a statement.
Despite the top ranking, it doesn’t come without controversy; Chick-fil-A has received criticism for the company’s past donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations.
More recently, CEO Dan Cathy was identified in June by The Daily Beast as a donor to the National Christian Charitable Foundation, which has a history of funding opposition to The Equality Act. Burger King responded by announcing they would donate 40 cents for every chicken sandwich sold in June (Pride month) up to $250,000, or 625,000 sandwiches, to The Human Rights Campaign.
To determine rankings, the ACSI interviewed nearly 20,000 random customers viaemail from April 1, 2020-March 29, 2021. The rankings take into account factors such as cleanliness, accuracy, staff helpfulness and reliability of mobile app.
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jord_mendoza.
