You can’t go anywhere in the United States without seeing at least one fast food restaurant. Either in person or on television. I mean, what’s the point? They allow you to satiate your hunger. When you’re strapped for time and money and are a stalwart American tradition. There have been many fast food chains that have come and gone. Since McDonald’s first put up its golden arches in the early 1950s, but the ones listed below have lasted for decades.
Fast food burgers are undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. But they aren’t the only option for busy people on the go.
This list of fast food joints includes the usual suspects like McDonald’s and Wendy’s as well as some more out-of-the-ordinary choices like Starbucks and Panera Bread.
Not all fast food restaurants disclose prices until you place an order, but some do. It’s possible to find a bargain either online or at a nearby establishment. Therefore, we didn’t focus too much on pricing. Factors such as company background, online reviews, food presentation, and, of course, quality, all play a part in this ranking. Here we present our definitive list of the best fast food joints in the United States.
Domino’s Fast Food
Domino’s, one of the world’s largest pizza companies by revenue, has 6,570 U.S. locations. And a menu that goes beyond Italian pies. According to ScrapeHero. Domino’s added electric cars to its delivery fleet in November 2022.
The Better Business Bureau’s nationwide list of consumer complaints helped put this chain at the bottom of our ranking. Most of these are about poor customer service. Like getting the wrong pizza topping, staff arguing in front of customers, overpaying for items not received, and missed deliveries.
Domino’s serves pizzas with various crusts, chicken bites, and wings, sandwiches, and pasta. Some of the non-pizza items look unappetizing, so stick with the pizza. Domino’s charges $7.99 for a one-topping carryout pizza, or $6.99 for two medium, two-topping pizzas (note that these deals might not be offered at your location). Domino’s delivers value. This pizza chain ranks 13th on our list because of customer service complaints.
Arby’s
According to Nav, Forrest “Fuzzy” Raffel and Leroy Raffel founded Arby’s. Roast beef sandwiches instead of fast food burgers and chicken. Arby’s serves chicken, rib sandwiches, brisket, gyros, and many variations of those. In November 2022, Inspire Brands posted that Arby’s burgers returned after being removed.
This restaurant has loyal customers. But roast beef purists shouldn’t go. If you’ve had one of these sandwiches. The meat doesn’t taste like deli meat. According to Insider. Arby’s roast beef arrives in airtight bags and is cooked for hours.
Shopfood notes that Arby’s roast beef sandwiches are round roast and popular. According to Mashed, this cow part is tough and chewy, unlike the tenderloin and porterhouse. Steak School suggests roasting prime rib, striploin, or other cuts. Arby’s is ranked lower because its roast beef isn’t good.
Denny’s Fast Food
When Denny’s first opened. Its mission was to provide excellent service. The perfect coffee in town, along with a doughnut. A little coffee shop and also some freshly baked doughnuts were the company’s first products. When guests enjoy a delightful dine-in experience at Denny’s. The Dennys Coupon enables them to receive significant savings and incentives.
The iconic Denny’s Grand Slam and scrumptious pancakes are two of America’s favorite breakfast establishments’ most well-known offerings. With 1700 locations worldwide, Denny’s offers a warm and delectable lunch, supper, or comfortable morning meal. Don’t forget to take your $5.00 coupon with you as you leave with your family.
Burger King
After fast food burgers became popular in the 1950s. This franchise’s brain trust created these restaurants to join McDonald’s. Years later, it was shortened from Insta-Burger King. According to blogger Benjamin Schroeder, Mickey D’s won the legendary “burger wars” between the two chains. Burger King now serves fried chicken, fish, breakfast burritos, milkshakes, and soft-serve ice cream.
One Cheapism reviewer said Burger King’s burgers don’t taste as good as McDonald’s and its breakfast items aren’t as popular. The Whopper’s stringy onions can make a mess, and ketchup can’t match the Big Mac’s special sauce. According to Tripadvisor and Mashed, Burger King’s food is average and doesn’t compare to McDonald’s. Burger King’s awkward king in some ads may also be a problem.
Subway Fast Food
According to Subway’s history. Franchising began nine years after the company’s 1965 founding in Connecticut. Subway has long touted its healthiness. Subway’s 6-inch Philly cheesesteak has 480 calories, 37 grams of carbs, and 1,120 milligrams of sodium. According to Subway. McDonald’s says a Big Mac has 550 calories, 1,010 milligrams of sodium, and 45 grams of carbs.
Subway offers 12 specialty sandwiches, 15 classic sandwiches, melts, wraps, bowls, salads, chips, and cookies. You can order bread, cheeses, vegetables, condiments, and sauces. Fresh food is precut and in bins, but staff assemble subs.
Sandwiches dominate this menu. The Washington Post found Subway’s 2021 menu update disappointing. Subway Series 2022 ingredients contradict the healthy food theme. The Washington Post reported in 2021 that a lawsuit claimed the chain’s tuna fish wasn’t tuna. Subway denied the claim, saying the fish is wild tuna.
Pizza Hut Fast Food
In 1958, brothers Frank and Dan Carney opened a pizza restaurant in Wichita, Kansas. Two college students had no idea their business would succeed. ScrapeHero reports over 6,000 U.S. Pizza Hut locations.
All Pizzaholic recommends Pizza Hut because it offers good value. This fan loves Pizza Hut’s thick, crispy crusts. The Bacinos Pizza blog suggests hand-tossed pizzas for a lighter, airier crust.
The same pizzas and three crusts—traditional, hand-tossed, and stuff—are on the menu here. If you don’t want pizza, there’s cheesy Alfredo and veggie pasta. Breadsticks add carbs to these filling meals. Pizza Hut’s pizza can taste mass-produced like Domino’s. Pizza Hut doesn’t serve homemade pizza like that Italian place down the street.
Starbucks
According to HistoryLink.org. Starbucks’ first Seattle store opened in 1971 and sold only coffee beans until 1982. Today, you can order basic and fancy coffees, iced drinks, teas, toasted white hot chocolate, and other caffeine-filled treats. It serves egg wraps, oatmeal, sandwiches, and chocolate-covered graham crackers. Starbucks sells coffee bags and merchandise.
Starbucks has long lines at their counters and drive-thrus, but it’s a matter of taste. QuerySprout says Starbucks coffee tastes burnt because it’s a dark roast with a consistently intense flavor that can be bitter. Starbucks has light and medium roasts. Customize your coffee drinks with your favorite roast (including espresso if you need an extra boost of caffeine).
Starbucks’ customer service helped it rank well. Avada says this coffee chain builds brand loyalty by connecting with employees and customers. It’s nice to have your name on the cup and hang out or take your drink to go—the atmosphere is key.
McDonald’s
Mirror’s photo of the first McDonald’s in San Bernadino, California, showed a 15-cent hamburger, 19-cent cheeseburger, 10-cent fries, and hot and cold drinks. Fast Food Menu Prices show that two cheeseburgers cost $2 today. McDonald’s serves chicken sandwiches and nuggets, fried fish sandwiches, Egg McMuffin, other breakfast and bakery items, and drinks like the Oreo Fudge McFlurry.
McDonald’s dominance is undisputed. QSR’s August 2022 report ranked it first in annual earnings among quick-service restaurants. Taste matters to customers: McDonald’s burgers are delicious. Flash-frozen 100% beef is seasoned with salt and pepper. McDonald’s says its burgers are made in three weeks without fillers or additives.
According to Real Menu Prices, a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese costs less than $7. This selection, flavor, and price can’t be beaten. Mickey D’s tops our list of the best fast food restaurants because of its variety, prices, and taste.
