NEW YORK — Zagat has revealed the results of its latest Fast Food Survey, with Wendy's retaining its reign as champion in the Mega-Chain category for Food, Facilities and Top Overall. Wendy's also ranked second for Most Popular and Healthy Options, and placed in the top five for Best Grilled Chicken, Best Fish, Best Fries, Best Milk Shake, Best Value and Best Value Menu.
The survey divided fast-food venues into four categories: Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. outlets), Mega-Chains (over 5,000), Full-Service Chains (with table service), and Quick-Refreshment Chains (focusing on beverages, frozen treats and the like). Surveyors separately rated each chain's Food, Facilities, and Service, on Zagat's signature 30-point scale.
The winners in the Food category include:
- In-N-Out Burger, Large Chains
- Ben & Jerry's, Quick Refreshment
- P.F. Chang's, Full-Service Chains
The Most Popular chains include:
- Subway, Mega-Chains
- Panera Bread, Large Chains
- P.F. Chang's, Full-Service Chains
- Starbucks, Quick Refreshment
Starbucks also won for "Best Coffee," edging out Dunkin' Donuts.
Winners for Best Value include:
- McDonald's
- Wendy's
- In-N-Out Burger
Winners for Best Burger include:
- In-N-Out Burger
- Wendy's
- Burger King
- McDonald's
McDonald's once again won the classic battle of Best French Fries, as well as crowns for Best Breakfast Sandwiches, Most Child-Friendly and Best Drive-Thru.
As for Healthy Options, top laurels were given to Panera Bread (Large Chain), Subway (Mega-Chain), Jamba Juice (Quick Refreshment) and California Pizza Kitchen (Full-Service).
Other category winners among fast food chains include:
- Best Fried Chicken: KFC
- Best Grilled Chicken: Chick-fil-A
- Best Fish: Long John Silver's
- Best Shakes: Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops
- Best Salads: Panera Bread Co.
The survey is based on 6,107 respondents who eat at a chain restaurant 11 times per month providing opinions on 103 chains nationwide. For additional results, visit ZAGAT.com/fastfood.
