Zagat Survey: America’s top fast food chains

In-N-Out Burger, Subway and Wendy’s have emerged as the best fast food chains in a new survey by Zagat.

Zagat food guide, better known for its reviews of upscale restaurants, conducted a large-scale poll for its annual guide, which involved the input of 10,554 voters.

Chains were divided into two categories according to size: those with 100-5,000 U.S. locations and those with over 5,000 U.S. locations.

In-N-Out Burger and Wendy’s emerged as the chains with the best-rated food and overall ratings, while Subway ranked top for popularity and service.

Five Guys was named the chain with the best burger, however, beating Wendy’s and Burger King to the title.

Five Guys in turn was trumped to the title of top french fries by Fast Food giant McDonald’s.

Of course, some might be surprised to see the esteemed restaurant guide turning its hand to fast food in the first place.

The Zagat blog, however, insists that such chains are an important category, given the huge number of meals we consume from them each year.

“The convenience of these establishments makes them super-popular – the surveyors averaged 9.4 meals a month at chains, with 5.8 at fast-food restaurants and 3.6 at full-service eateries,” it read.

“That’s an amazing 1.2 million chain meals per year. Not quite one billion served, but still pretty impressive.”

Zagat reviewers cast verdict on each of the most popular menu items, with KFC taking home the title of Best Fried Chicken, and Chick-fil-A ranking top for the grilled variety.

McDonald’s had the best breakfast sandwiches while Steak ‘n Shake ranked top in the milkshake category.

For those attempting to cut back on calories, Panera Bread had the best healthy options, while Wendy’s was a winner again when it came to the best salads.

MOST POPULAR

LARGE CHAINS (100 to 5,000 U.S. locations)

1. In-N-Out Burger

2. Panera Bread

3. Chipotle

4. Five Guys

5. Chick-fil-A

MEGA CHAINS (over 5,000 U.S. locations)

1. Subway

2. Wendy’s

3. McDonald’s

4. Taco Bell

5. Burger King

 

TOP-RATED FOOD

LARGE CHAINS

1. In-N-Out Burger

2. Papa Murphy’s

3. Chipotle

4. Panera Bread

5. Bojangles’

MEGA CHAINS

1. Wendy’s

2. Subway

3. Pizza Hut

4. Taco Bell

5. Burger King

 

TOP-RATED SERVICE

LARGE CHAINS

1. In-N-Out Burger

2. Papa Murphy’s

3. Jimmy John’s

4. Fazoli’s

5. Panera Bread

MEGA CHAINS

1. Subway

2. Wendy’s

3. Taco Bell

4. Pizza Hut

5. McDonald’s

 

TOP OVERALL

LARGE CHAINS

1. In-N-Out Burger

2. Fazoli’s

3. Panera Bread

4. Papa Murphy’s

5. Chipotle

MEGA CHAINS

1. Wendy’s

2. Subway

3. Pizza Hut

4. Taco Bell

5. McDonald’s

 

BEST BURGER

1. Five Guys

2. Wendy’s

3. Burger King

4. In-N-Out Burger

5. Fuddruckers

 

BEST FRENCH FRIES

1. McDonald’s

2. Five Guys

3. Burger King

4. Wendy’s

5. Chick-fil-A