McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and KFC. All of these fast-food chains are popular nationwide, but none is America’s favorite. So which one is it?
Depending on where you live in the country, your favorite place to get quick grub may be different than your neighbor’s. But there is one fast food chain that nearly everyone can agree on.
At least, it seems that way. Let’s take a look at which fast food chain reigns supreme.
What Is Considered Fast Food?
Fast food is food produced in a manner that focuses on ease of production and speed. It’s often pre-made or frozen food that workers can prepare quickly so you can get in and get out in a hurry.
Restaurants selling fast food typically have a drive-through window and package food for easy take-out.
Another form of fast food is fast casual, which puts more focus on the ambiance, the variety of food, and the experience. This style places less emphasis on pre-made and frozen foods.
Which Fast Food Chain Does America Love Most?
While McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain in America, with more than 13,000 locations, the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets still don’t make it America’s favorite.
Neither McDonald’s, nor Burger King, nor Taco Bell can take that honor. It’s actually Chick-fil-A and its infamous, mouth-watering chicken sandwich that scores highest with American consumers in terms of customer satisfaction, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Unlike most fast-food chains, Chick-fil-A strongly focuses on customer service, food quality, and employee satisfaction.
Chick-fil-A got a score of 83 in ACSI’s research. However, a couple of competitors came close. Jimmy John’s got a 79, and KFC and Domino’s got a 78.
What Is the Most Popular Fast Food Item in America?
Despite the restaurant scoring the highest on customer satisfaction, the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich actually isn’t the most popular fast food item in America.
That honor goes to french fries. McDonald’s is the largest fast-food chain in the country, and they report that people order their fries more than any other item on the menu. That makes fries the most popular fast food item in America, including Chick-fil-A’s tasty waffle fries.
But, with Chick-fil-a growing, we can see them taking this honor soon!
The USA Loves Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A rose to prominence as America’s most popular fast-food restaurant chain by specializing in chicken sandwiches. It’s committed to providing excellent customer service and serving high-quality food.
History
Chick-fil-A started in 1946 when Samuel Truett Cathy opened the Dwarf Grill in Atlanta. It quickly became a popular spot for locals.
Over the years, Cathy developed the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, which became very popular at other restaurants as well as his own. Cathy started the first Chick-fil-A branded restaurant in 1967 in the Greenbriar Shopping Center in Atlanta, marking the end of his selling his chicken sandwich at other establishments.
Chick-fil-A’s early expansion efforts focused on malls and food courts until it started building freestanding restaurants in the 1980s. It is now the third largest fast food restaurant chain in the United States, with over 2,700 locations across 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Best Menu Items
Chick-fil-A’s menu focuses on chicken sandwiches, wraps, salads, and breakfast items, like biscuits and hash browns. The company has also introduced some creative side dishes such as macaroni and cheese and its famous waffle fries.
In addition to its signature chicken sandwiches, Chick-fil-A also offers a full line of breakfast items and desserts, such as milkshakes and ice cream.
Why Don’t They Say ‘Thank You’ at Chick-fil-A?
One aspect of the Chick-fil-A experience often confuses customers: why don’t they say thank you? The answer is actually quite simple.
Chick-fil-A encourages employees to say “it’s my pleasure” instead of “thank you” because it’s more polite and expresses gratitude to customers and co-workers. This principle is based on the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and appreciation. As a result, employees are encouraged to show thankfulness through their words and actions rather than simply by saying “thank you.”
Which States Don’t Have a Chick-fil-A?
There are only three states that don’t have a Chick-fil-A location. Those are Hawaii, Alaska, and Vermont. That’s about to change, however.
Chick-fil-A announced that it will open several locations in Hawaii in 2023. That will leave just Alaska and Vermont as the only states that are Chick-fil-A deserts.
Is Chick-fil-A Worth It?
Overall, it’s clear that Chick-fil-A garners high customer satisfaction ratings for a reason. It has a rich history dating back to the 1940s, and its chicken dishes are some of the tastiest around. And who doesn’t love their waffle fries?
Not to mention, the company is always innovating and coming up with new menu items (like the spicy chicken sandwich) that keep customers coming back for more. So next time you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, don’t hesitate to swing by your nearest Chick-fil-A location. It’s well worth the trip!
Can You Guess: Which fast food chain has the best coffee?
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