Fast food may be everywhere, but not every chain is pulling its weight. Some spots have become better known for disappointing meals, subpar service, or less-than-stellar cleanliness. With online reviews piling up, a few names keep showing up in the “just not worth it” category. Here’s a straight-up look at the chains that diners say might be better off closing up shop for good. Do you agree?
Long John Silvers
It may come as a shock to you that this chain is even still in business. While plenty of locations have closed their doors over the last few years, Long John Silvers still exists in certain places and we’re just not so sure as to why. Chances are you could get a better seafood meal from the frozen aisle of the grocery store than anything coming out of an LJS drive-thru.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars, tying with Wendy’s and Popeyes, finds itself at the lower end of the satisfaction scale with an ACSI score of 74, lagging behind the frontrunner Domino’s. Despite the catchy “Pizza! Pizza!” slogan and appealing prices, the main hitch for Little Caesars is the food quality, which many feel is on par with the price – affordable but underwhelming. If Little Caesars could up their game in the kitchen without bumping up the prices, there’s a good shot they could flip their fortune and polish up their brand image.
Carl’s Jr.
People’s dissatisfaction with Carl’s Jr. can stem from a few reasons, with the quality of food often topping the list. Some customers express disappointment in the taste and presentation of their meals, feeling that it doesn’t live up to their expectations or the price. Additionally, Carl’s Jr. has faced criticism over its marketing strategies in the past, which some found to be overly provocative and not in good taste. Customer service experiences also vary, with reports of unfriendly or indifferent staff contributing to a less than ideal dining experience for some patrons.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box might not ring a bell for many, and it seems their flavor game isn’t making waves either, landing them a 73 on the ACSI for 2023. Nestled mostly in the West and Southwest, it doesn’t have the nationwide fame some competitors enjoy. You’d think offering all-day breakfast might give it an edge, but Jack’s attempt to master both burgers and tacos leaves a lot to be desired. And let’s not even start on the 1,150-calorie milkshake – probably not the kind of heavyweight champion they were hoping to be. Maybe it’s for the best that Jack in the Box hasn’t popped up everywhere across the U.S.
Panda Express
Panda Express, a favorite among those craving fast and tasty Asian cuisine, has recently seen a dip in its customer satisfaction, slipping from 76 to 75 according to the latest ACSI figures. While still a staple for quick, flavorful meals, this slight decline in popularity could be attributed to a variety of factors, such as changing consumer tastes, increased competition from other fast-casual Asian eateries, or perhaps even a growing emphasis on healthier dining options that challenge Panda Express’s traditional menu offerings.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell also lands on the list of fast-food joints you might want to skip. It’s not exactly the poster child for healthy eating, and its history is peppered with a few too many controversies. Despite throwing big bucks at Super Bowl ads and even adding fries to the menu, Taco Bell hasn’t quite managed to win over the hearts and stomachs of fast-food lovers. A 2022 SavingSpot study revealed that in 26 states, Taco Bell was voted the least favorite Mexican fast-food spot. When it comes to the health debate, Taco Bell finds itself at the center, leading the pack in not-so-great categories like sodium, calories, and saturated fat content.
Arby’s
Arby’s, famous for its roast beef sandwiches, has encountered some criticism, with Eat This, Not That reporting a general perception of low-quality sandwiches often labeled as “mystery meat” by diners. Additionally, complaints about slow and unfriendly service have further tarnished its reputation. Such feedback hardly lays the groundwork for a flourishing business!
Burger King
Burger King, a formidable rival to McDonald’s, has always embraced direct competition with its witty ad campaigns, notably pitting the Whopper against the Big Mac, creating some of the most memorable marketing moments. Despite their creative efforts, Burger King’s customer satisfaction suggests room for improvement. A pivot towards healthier offerings, perhaps by reintroducing salads or grilled chicken, could be a step in the right direction. As they navigate the challenge of balancing indulgence with nutrition, even their plant-based Impossible Whopper is a testament to their attempt at innovation, though it still seeks to make a significant impact.
Hardee’s
Hardee’s, famed in the South and Midwest for its juicy charbroiled burgers, often finds itself in the hot seat. Between bites, customers raise eyebrows at its food quality and yearn for more consistency. Then there’s the advertising—flashbacks to the 1980s with supermodels galore, which many argue misses the mark in today’s diverse market. It’s a mix of retro vibes and modern gripes, making Hardee’s a blend of love-it or leave-it experiences for its patrons.
Subway
Subway used to be the go-to spot for a quick, healthy bite, but it seems like their sparkle’s kind of faded lately, landing them a so-so 75 on the ACSI. It’s still a step up from Quiznos, which didn’t even show up on the 2023 satisfaction scoreboard. Remember when snagging a Subway sandwich meant chilling in line for what felt like forever? Yeah, those days are long gone. Now, you might find yourself wandering into a Subway and wondering if you’re the only one who got the memo. It’s a bummer, really, because Subway had the whole “eat fresh, stay healthy” vibe that should’ve kept them at the top. But with the quality of grub going downhill, it’s no shocker they’ve slipped a bit in the fast-food fame game.
Popeye’s
Popeyes, with its catchy “Love that chicken from Popeyes” jingle, is facing a bit of a love loss from customers, placing it as the fifth least favorite fast-food chain with a 74 ASCI score for 2023. Surprisingly, one of the loudest gripes customers have is the overload of salt in their signature fried chicken. For a chain that prides itself on its chicken, that’s a pretty salty pill for the execs to swallow. Adding a bit more sting, a 2023 SavingSpot study highlighted that in 15 states, customers rated Popeyes as the bottom-of-the-barrel chicken joint. And it doesn’t help that thirsty patrons are often greeted with the all-too-common “out of order” sign on the drink machines.
9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
America’s fast food culture has not only reshaped the culinary landscape at home but has rippled across the globe with substantial effects. As burgers and fries become commonplace from Tokyo to Istanbul, they bring with them not just a taste of American life, but a host of changes to diet, health, and local economies. This article examines the wide-reaching impact of these fast food chains, exploring how they influence everything from our eating habits to our planet.
Read it Here: 9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
Fast Food Fries Ranked: Find Out Which Ones Are Worth Your Cheat Day
Everyone has a soft spot for fast food fries. Whether you’re sneaking them on your lunch break, indulging during a late-night drive-thru run or saving them for your cheat day splurge, fries are the ultimate guilty pleasure. But not all fries are created equal, and some might leave you wondering why you wasted those precious calories. We’ve taken on the deliciously tough job of taste-testing and ranking fast food fries so you don’t have to. Here’s are (subjective) ranking.
Read it Here: Fast Food Fries Ranked: Find Out Which Ones Are Worth Your Cheat Day
Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
