Chick-fil-A tops poll as America's favorite fast-food spot

Even with one day tied behind its back, Chick-fil-A has taken the crown as the nation’s favorite fast-food joint.

The latest edition of MarketForce Information’s annual consumer study reveals more customers are loyal to Chick-fil-A than any other quick-service restaurant (MarketForce’s terminology).

RestaurantNews reports MarketForce surveyed over 7,600 consumers, asking them to rank the chains on two factors: their satisfaction from their most recent visit, and the likelihood they would recommend the restaurant to others. The survey was broken down into seven categories: burgers, sandwiches, Mexican, pizza, chicken, coffee and bakeries, and frozen desserts and smoothies.

Last year’s overall champ, In-N-Out, remained the favorite among burger chains with an overall composite loyalty index score of 73%, Chick-fil-A beat that easily with its 79% CLI score. In fact, the southern-based Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which came in just behind Chick-fil-A in the chicken category garnered 78%, which makes it the No. 2 fast-food spot overall.

The Christian-based Chick-fil-A is known for being open only six days a week, something the chain’s founder Truett Cathy insisted upon. “Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours,” the chain’s website says, “Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose — a practice we uphold today.”

Chick-fil-A was voted the top chicken spot for the fifth straight year.

In the other categories, Jersey Mike’s (69%) was the nation’s favorite sandwich spot, Chipotle (61%) topped the Mexican group, Blaze (69%) was No. 1 among pizza joints, Krispy Kreme was the top-ranked coffee and bakery set, and Culver’s was voted best frozen dessert and smoothie shop.

Each category was judged by customers on value, food quality, service speed, staff friendliness, cleanliness, atmosphere, healthy options, and curb appeal.

MarketForce’s survey was conducted online in May 2019 in the United States. Among the 7,668 respondents, 54% percent reported household incomes of over $50,000 a year. Respondents’ ages ranged from 18 to over 65. About 71% were women, 29% were men.