NEW YORK -- Subway, Five Guys and Starbucks led the pack as the most popular "mega," large and quick refreshment chains, respectively, while Wendy's, Chick-fil-A and Pinkberry top the lists for overall ratings in Zagat just-released annual National Fast-Food Restaurant Survey.
This year's survey covered 103 chains as voted on by 6,064 diners. The typical surveyor dined at a fast-food restaurant at least once a week. They weighed in on everything from breakfast to burgers and fries to frozen yogurt, separately rating each chain on the quality of its food, facilities and service on Zagat's signature 30-point scale as well as ranking their favorites.
The survey results divided the chains into four categories: Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. outlets), Mega Chains (more than 5,000), Quick-Refreshment (focusing on beverages, ice cream and the like) and Full-Service, i.e. with table service (Full-Service results are being reported separately). Below are lists of this year's Most Popular fast-food chains:
Popular Favorites:
Mega Chains
- Subway
- McDonald's
- Wendy's
- Burger King
- Taco Bell
Large Chains
- Five Guys
- Panera Bread
- Chipotle
- Chick-fil-A
- In-N-Out Burger
Quick Refreshment
- Starbucks
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Culver's
- Ben & Jerry's
- Cold Stone Creamery
Top Ratings: This year's Top Overall Rated chains (averaging food, facilities and service ratings) are:
Mega Chains
- Wendy's
- Subway
- McDonald's
- Pizza Hut
- KFC
Large Chains
- Chick-fil-A
- In-N-Out Burger
- Papa Murphy's
- Panera Bread
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
Quick Refreshment
- Pinkberry
- Red Mango
- Peet's Coffee & Tea
- Culver's
- Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
It's notable that the top 3 Mega-Chains (Wendy's, Subway and McDonald's) are all among the Top 3 Most Popular.
Zagat surveyors also shared their opinions on the best fast-food items in a variety of categories:
- Burger: Five Guys
- Fried Chicken: KFC
- Grilled Chicken: Chick-fil-A
- Fish: Long John Silver's
- French Fries: McDonald's
- Coffee: Starbucks
- Milkshakes: Dairy Queen
- Ice Cream/Custard: Ben & Jerry's
- Smoothies/Frozen Yogurt: Red Mango
- Breakfast Sandwiches: McDonald's
- Salads: Panera Bread
- Value Menu: McDonald's
- Overall Value: McDonald's
- Child-Friendly: McDonald's
- Drive-Thru: McDonald's
- Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings
Also, 69% of diners favor calorie count displays, according to the survey; moreover 55% report that their dining behavior has been influenced by such calorie counts.
Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey said, "For better or for worse, fast food is a major part of American culture, with our average surveyor eating at chain restaurants nearly 11 times per month. It's worth noting that the majority of surveyors are taking their health seriously and are demanding transparency from the industry. It's also encouraging to see chain restaurants stepping up and offering healthier options."
Perhaps it's their fresh sandwiches made-to-order or the ubiquitous "five-dollar foot long", but for the third year in a row, Subway won for Top Healthy Options, Top Service and Most Popular Mega-Chain. Jason's Deli (Large Chain) and survey newcomer Red Mango (Quick Refreshment) also rank No. 1 for Healthy Options.
A brand new category this year was Best Wings. The inaugural award went to fast-food chain Buffalo Wild Wings. Wingstop and KFC followed.
McDonald's (with more than 33,000 units worldwide) topped a host of categories including Best Value, Best French Fries, Best Breakfast Sandwich, Most Child Friendly and Best Drive-Thru.
This year's champ for Best Burger is the ever-expanding Five Guys Burgers & Fries. In second place is cult-favorite In-N-Out Burger, followed by Wendy's, Burger King and McDonald's.
For the third year in a row, caffeine-craving surveyors have awarded Starbucks the title of Best Coffee. Following in an increasingly competitive field are Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, Peet's Coffee & Tea and Caribou Coffee.
For full survey results, visit ZAGAT.com/fastfood.
New York City-based Zagat Survey is a trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, it rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories.
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