Food

These Are the Only Fast Food Chains Worth Visiting

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Collectively, we all know fast-food isn’t the healthiest choice. And with rising prices, it often isn’t even the cheapest choice either, with the average McDonald’s meal costing $9.29. But darn it if those fast-food chains don’t have a way of calling our name! The call is especially loud when stress takes over, time is of the essence, or late-night cravings hit unexpectedly. But when the drive-thru urge hits, we must remember that all fast-food establishments are not created equal. While some of these restaurants are notorious for their mediocre meals and over salted taste, others stand out among the masses due to their quality, convenience, and overall deliciousness.

To find the top 10 fast-food establishments, 24/7 Wall St reviewed rankings from the America Customer Satisfaction Index for 2024. The index ranks fast-food brands across a range of categories, including accuracy of order, cleanliness, helpful staff, and menu variety. Chains like Sonic and McDonalds scored low, while others ranked towards the top in the 70s and 80s. Today, we’re bringing you the top 10 fast-food spots worth the splurge.

10. Five Guys

huddleston / Flickr

  • Score: 78
  • Change from previous year: Same
  • Stand out feature: Uses fresh ground beef for its burgers. The restaurants do not have freezers, ensuring that all ingredients are fresh.

9. Pizza Hut

Pizza+Hut | hua hin pizza hut
hua hin pizza hut by goodiesfirst / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

  • Score: 79
  • Change from previous year: Up 1 point
  • Stand out feature: Thick, buttery crust and crispy edge, family-friendly environment

8. Papa John’s

J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

  • Score: 79
  • Change from previous year: Down 1 point
  • Stand out feature: Fresh, never frozen dough, alongside vine-ripened tomato sauce

7. Dominos

jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

  • Score: 79
  • Change from previous year: Up 1 point
  • Stand out feature: Affordable pizza with a promise of speed and consistency

6. Starbucks

Coffee Shop Drinks Found To Contain Excessive Amounts Of Sugar
2016 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images

  • Score: 80
  • Change from previous year: Up 2 points
  • Stand out feature: Consistency, seasonal drinks, and welcoming environment

5. Panera Bread

jeepersmedia / Flickr

  • Score: 80
  • Change from previous year: Up 4 points
  • Stand out feature: Uses “clean” ingredients that are free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors

4. Culvers

Culver's counter
Missvain / Wikimedia Commons

  • Score: 80
  • Change from previous year: N/A
  • Stand out feature: Comfort food served fresh by friendly staff

3. Arby’s

Courtesy of Arby's

  • Score: 80
  • Change from previous year: Up 3 points
  • Stand out feature: Meat heavy sandwiches and quirky branding

2. KFC

KFC Menu Items and Restaurant
2018 Getty Images / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

  • Score: 78
  • Change from previous year: Same
  • Stand out feature: Original recipes and family-style meals

1. Chick-fil-A

bluemaumau / Flickr

  • Score: 83
  • Change from previous year: Down 2 points
  • Stand out feature: High-quality and exceptional customer service

 

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