Popular fast-food chains KFC and McDonald’s have faced yet another significant blow, with their reputations tarnished after being ranked as the worst fast-food outlets in the United States. According to a report by media, which cited findings from price-monitoring website Pricelisto, both chains were heavily criticized for greasy, burned food, sluggish service, and limited menu options, as reflected in TripAdvisor reviews.
KFC topped the list as the worst fast-food chain outlets in America, followed closely by McDonald’s. Other global brands, including Burger King, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, were also included in the rankings. A spokesperson for Pricelisto acknowledged the negative feedback, stating that while such reviews can be “frustrating and disheartening” for business owners, they provide an opportunity to improve customer satisfaction. The spokesperson highlighted common complaints such as “a lack of food variety, rude or unhelpful staff, and unclean restaurant conditions.”
The rankings, based on customer reviews, placed KFC at the bottom with an average rating of 2.89 out of 5, with Arkansas and Idaho giving the lowest scores of 2.57. McDonald’s fared slightly better at 2.99, though Alabama and Iowa scored it lowest at 2.68 and 2.9, respectively.
Burger King secured the third spot with an average rating of 3.0, receiving its lowest ratings from Alaska (2.67) and North Carolina (2.81). Church’s Texas Chicken followed in fourth place, scoring an average of 3.08, though its limited presence across the U.S. was noted. Its lowest reviews came from Missouri (2.59) and Nevada (3.0).
Rounding off the top five, seafood chain Long John Silver’s earned an average of 3.16 but received harsh criticism from Maryland (2.28) and Delaware (2.53), where customers described the food as “horrible” and “a complete waste of time.”
Taco Bueno, a smaller chain, landed in sixth place with a 3.24 rating, while Taco Bell followed in seventh. Despite being more popular, Taco Bell faced criticism for inaccurate orders and inconsistent quality, earning a 3.25 average score, with North Dakota (2.63) and Idaho (2.94) being the most dissatisfied states.
In eighth place, Hardee’s garnered a 3.27 average, with complaints about “burnt and hard” food. Its lowest scores came from Iowa (3.11) and Maine (3.13). Pizza Hut and Sonic Drive-In tied for ninth place, both earning 3.28 on average. Pizza Hut’s lowest rating came from Alaska (2.68), while Sonic struggled most in California (3.05).
Overall, the findings highlighted major challenges for some of America’s most recognized fast-food chains, including declining food quality, poor service, and limited menu options.
