Zagat has announced the results of its annual Fast-Food Survey of 274 national restaurant chains. More than 10,500 diners voted on everything from Salads and Sandwiches to Pasta and Pizza. These avid consumers – who report eating at a chain restaurant 9.4 times a month – separately rated the chains on Food, Decor and Service on Zagat’s signature 30-point scale, and selected their favorites in a number of sub-categories.
The survey divided restaurants into four categories: Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations), Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations) and Quick-Refreshment (beverages, ice cream, etc.). The survey also covered 117 Full-Service chains – those with table service. Below are this year’s Most Popular and top-rated chains:
MOST POPULAR
Mega Chains
1. Subway
2. Wendy’s
3. McDonald’s
4. Taco Bell
5. Burger King
Large Chains
1. In-N-Out Burger
2. Panera Bread
3. Chipotle
4. Five Guys
5. Chick-fil-A
Quick-Refreshment
1. Starbucks
2. Dunkin’ Donuts
3. Ben & Jerry’s
4. Peet’s Coffee/Tea
5. Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
TOP FOOD
Mega Chains
1. Wendy’s
2. Subway
3. Pizza Hut
4. Taco Bell
5. Burger King
Large Chains
1. In-N-Out Burger
2. Papa Murphy’s
3. Chipotle
4. Panera Bread
5. Bojangles’
Quick-Refreshment
1. Rita’s Italian Ice
2. Ben & Jerry’s
3. Haagen-Dazs
4. Peet’s Coffee/Tea
5. Culver’s
TOP DECOR
Mega Chains
1. Wendy’s
2. McDonald’s
3. Pizza Hut
4. Taco Bell
5. Subway
Large Chains
1. Fazoli’s
2. Panera Bread
3. On The Border Mex. Grill
4. Corner Bakery Cafe
5. Buffalo Wild Wings
Quick-Refreshment
1. Caribou Coffee
2. Peet’s Coffee/Tea
3. Starbucks
4. Culver’s
5. Tim Hortons
TOP SERVICE
Mega Chains
1. Subway
2. Wendy’s
3. Taco Bell
4. Pizza Hut
5. McDonald’s
Large Chains
1. In-N-Out Burger
2. Papa Murphy’s
3. Jimmy John’s
4. Fazoli’s
5. Panera Bread
Quick-Refreshment
1. Caribou Coffee
2. Rita’s Italian Ice
3. Culver’s
4. Peet’s Coffee/Tea
5. Tim Hortons
TOP OVERALL
Mega Chains
1. Wendy’s
2. Subway
3. Pizza Hut
4. Taco Bell
5. McDonald’s
Large Chains
1. In-N-Out Burger
2. Fazoli’s
3. Panera Bread
4. Papa Murphy’s
5. Chipotle
Quick-Refreshment
1. Caribou Coffee
2. Rita’s Italian Ice
3. Peet’s Coffee/Tea
4. Culver’s
5. Tim Hortons
In the Full-Service category, Cheesecake Factory wins for Most Popular while neighborhood restaurant Cheddar’s sweeps Top Food, Top Decor and Top Overall. When it comes to Top Service, O’Charley’s rises to the top.
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 Coffee
Milkshakes: Steak ‘n Shake
Ice Cream/Custard: Rita’s Italian Ice
Breakfast Sandwiches: McDonald’s
Salads: Wendy’s
Value Menu: McDonald’s
Overall Value: McDonald’s
Child-Friendly: McDonald’s
Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings
Healthy Options: Panera Bread
For more information, visit the Zagat blog: http://blog.zagat.com/2012/09/2012-fast-food-survey-results-are-live.html
