Smaller Chains Top QSR Survey

YONKERS, N.Y.In-N-Out, Chipotle and Chick-fil-A fast-food chains earned high scores for quality of food, service, and value and speed, while industry giants McDonald's, Burger King and KFC fell out of favor with consumers, according to results of in Consumer Reports first-ever major fast food ratings survey.

The survey, based on responses from 36,733 Consumer Reports subscribers who made more than 98,000 visits to 53 fast-food chains revealed that readers found them to offer uninspiring food, only so-so service. The subscribers gave 21 of the 53 chains high marks for food. Other major chains with relatively low scores included Arby's, Quiznos, Domino's and Pizza Hut.

"Chains like McDonald's and Taco Bell boast supersized values, but consumers don't necessarily think they offer much bang for the buck," said Tod Marks, senior projects editor, Consumer Reports. "Fifty four percent of our subscribers cited low prices as a reason for picking a particular fast-food restaurant."

The survey also found diners want better food. Many restaurants scored higher for servicespecifically, speed and politenessthan for food. At chains with the highest scores for food, 42% to 54% of patrons called the fare excellent, compared to 11% who were satisfied with Burger King, KFC, McDonald's and Taco Bell. In fact, 15% to 19% of respondents who ate at one of those chains thought the food was fair, poor or very poor.

Sixty percent of respondents said they were completely or very satisfied with their fast-food dining experiences vs. 68 percent of casual-restaurant patrons.