Chick-fil-A Retains Status as Most Popular Fast-Food Restaurant for Seventh Year

Chick fil A building

For the seventh year in a row, “Eat Mor Chikin” remains the mantra of the American public.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) recently released its list containing the best fast-food restaurants, and Chick-fil-A, with little surprise, secured a first-place ranking for the seventh year straight.

The ACSI rates restaurants on quality, restaurant cleanliness, staff helpfulness, delivery speed, order accuracy, reliability of the mobile app and more. The organization rates restaurants out of a score of 100. Chick-fil-A received a score of 83, which secured it first place, though it dropped one point from the previous year.

The next highest ranked fast-food restaurants were Domino’s (80), KFC (79), Starbucks (79), Five Guys (78) and Panera Bread (78). McDonald’s had the lowest ranking at 70.

However, Chick-fil-A did not only beat out other fast-food restaurants, but it also surpassed all analyzed full-service restaurants as well. The umbrella category for full-service restaurants ranked first at 81. However, of popular named locations, LongHorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden all tied for second place with a score of 80, while IHOP struggled in the bottom spot at 74.

Chick-fil-A was originally started in Atlanta, Georgia by S. Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist who grew the company into the giant it is today with the help of his sons. His son, Dan Cathy, is currently the President and CEO of Chick-fil-A, and he also manages the restaurant in light of biblical principles.

“As an organization we can operate on biblical principles,” Cathy said in an interview with the Biblical Recorder. “So that is what we claim to be. [We are] based on biblical principles, asking God and pleading with God to give us wisdom on decisions we make about people and the programs and partnerships we have. And He has blessed us.”

Though Chick-fil-A ranked nineteenth in total number of fast-food locations in the U.S. at 2,500 stores in 2019, it maintained the highest average sales per location of any restaurant at just over $4.5 million. By comparison, McDonald’s – the highest grossing fast-food restaurant – averaged slightly over $2.9 million per store.

Part of Chick-fil-A’s security in its top position on the ACSI’s report may have to do with the company’s strict franchisee requirements, as less than one percent of applicants are accepted by the company each year. As CNBC Make It reports, of 60,000 franchise inquiries, only 75 to 80 are selected. These applicants are the best of the best, and Chick-fil-A ensures that they have the “character, chemistry and competency” that it takes to manage a new location.

Photo from Shutterstock

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