McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski is facing criticism for eating on camera again, drawing comments from Fox & Friends hosts. During a recent interview, Kempczinski ate a chicken nugget, which viewers disliked more than a previous instance where he ate a burger.
A new report has shed light on how restaurants in the United States are performing. McDonald’s is top of mind when most consumers consider eating fast food, even though other chains ranked higher for burger quality. The survey, “Best Bites 2026: U.S. Restaurant Brand Rankings,” by YouGov, explored which restaurant brands American adults prefer. It included questions about restaurant selection, food quality, and dining preferences.
“McDonald’s leads all fast-food brands in consideration when Americans decide where to purchase fast food. This is despite ranking behind several competitors on the quality of burgers,” said Ashley Brown, YouGov’s senior director, to Fox News Digital. Brown also noted that McDonald’s is the clear leader when it comes to fries.
Although McDonald’s ranks as the most considered fast-food restaurant, it’s not the top-ranked burger chain, according to a recent survey. Consumers evaluate fast-food brands based on a variety of menu items, not just burgers.
The survey asked respondents, “When you are next in the market to purchase food or drink, from which of the following would you consider purchasing?” McDonald’s topped the list with 39.6% of the vote, followed by Chick-fil-A at 35.5%, and Wendy’s at 33.2%. McDonald’s was the most considered restaurant for both males and females and across age groups 18-29, 30-44, and 45-64. Those aged 65 or older preferred Wendy’s for fast food.
The survey also ranked top U.S. spots for burgers, sandwiches, and tacos. Five Guys was the favorite for burgers (15.5%), followed by Burger King (15%) and In-N-Out Burger (12.1%). Wendy’s finished fourth at 10.2%, and McDonald’s was fifth with 8.7%.
Subway was selected as having the best deli sandwich (22.9%), and Taco Bell led for tacos/burritos (30.3%). McDonald’s far outpaced competitors in the french fry category, securing 39.2% of the vote, with Five Guys receiving 9%.
Chick-fil-A was the preferred chicken spot (25.3%), while Pizza Hut ranked first for pizza (19.1%). Chick-fil-A topped fast-food brands for quality, and McDonald’s did not feature in the top 10. Wendy’s ranked first based on value (21.6%), whereas McDonald’s came in eighth place (12.5%).
The YouGov report delved into consumers’ opinions on casual-dining and specialty-dining as well and profiled those who dine at fast-food restaurants weekly. Around two-thirds of Americans purchase food or drinks from fast-food establishments at least once per month, with 30% doing so weekly.
Among weekly fast-food diners, 55% are male and 45% female. The report found that 49% have middle-income, and 51% are under 45. Value and discounts are significant influences for these diners, alongside a clean dining environment. Women prefer menu customization, while men are more attracted to 24-hour service and self-serve drink stations.
McDonald’s attributes its popularity to quality ingredients, like real beef patties, 100% white meat chicken, and freshly cracked eggs, as stated on its website. The chain also listens to customer feedback and updates its menu accordingly.