According to data taken from the 2023 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), the highest quality fast food chains have been determined using several factors to rate each chain.
The data was extracted through surveys taken by consumers which had been sent to the them via email.
Customer satisfaction, food quality, service quality, and environment quality were notable determining factors which helped rate each chain to find the top performers.
The accompanying scores used represent the rating system attached to each chain, as rated by the participants. Some of the results are surprising with several key players noticeably absent from the larger list of fifteen rated chains.
Top 5 Highest Quality Fast Food Chains
- 1. Chick-fil-A (ACSI score) 85: If you keep up on the fast food wars, you’ll notice this chain always rises to the top and ranked as a favorite by consumers across multiple studies. This chain, while it covets a small menu…has conquered it’s comparatively small selection and managed to create an overall quality experience from a smooth ordering and drive-thru experience, to courteous employees, giving it a well-oiled machine aspect. Also recently rated the fastest drive-thru experience for how many cars are served in a given time-frame.
- 2. Jimmy John’s (ACSI Score) 84 : This sub chain isn’t winning any popularity contests but apparently it is excelling in quality. First opened in 1983, Jimmy John’s started with a menu of just four sandwiches made with fresh ingredients. Today it has a wide variety of sandwiches, and wraps for customers to choose from.
- 3. KFC (ACSI Score) 80: This chain used to be America’s #1 chicken chain and while it has fallen to the third spot, it’s still held close as a nostalgic chicken joint to get a comfort meal. Well known for its Secret Original Seasoning Recipe, KFC has more than 5,200 restaurants in the US alone.
- 4. Papa Johns (ACSI Score) 80: Started in a broom closet in the back of his fathers tavern business. The chain is responsible for inventing dipping sauce in it’s early days. Although it has almost half as many restaurant locations as their major competitors, it’s winning in the customer satisfaction department.
- 5. Dominos (ACSI Score) 78: Domino’s has over 5,000 locations in the US, and approximately 20,000 worldwide. This pizza chain has been providing value, and quality since it came onto the scene in 1966 under the name DomiNicks.
The top 15 fast food chains are ranked for the highest quality as follows. There’s a 10-point difference between the first spot taken by Chick-fil-A, and the last spot as claimed by Chipotle and Dairy Queen.
15 Highest Quality Fast Food Chains
- Chick-fil-a (ACSI Score): 85
- Jimmy John’s (ACSI Score): 84
- KFC ( ACSI Score): 80
- Five Guys (ACSI Score): 78
- Pizza Hut (ACSI Score): 78
- Starbucks ( ACSI Score): 78
- Arbys (ACSI Score): 77
- Dunkin Donuts (ACSI Score): 77
- Panda Express (ACSI Score): 77
- Burger King (ACSI Score): 76
- Panera Bread (ACSI Score): 76
- Chipotle (ACSI Score): 75
- Dairy Queen (ACSI Score): 75
Notably missing is Popeyes, Wendys, and Taco Bell from the Top 15 rated chains. McDonald’s can be found at the bottom of a total of twenty-two lessor rated chains.
