McDonald’s Faces Renewed Criticism Amid Fast-Food Trends

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has come under fire again for eating on camera. This issue surfaced during an interview where he consumed a chicken nugget, sparking memories of a previous incident involving a burger. Fox & Friends hosts compared Kempczinski’s choice to Brian Kilmeade’s decision to avoid such actions.

New Restaurant Performance Report

A new report sheds light on the performance of U.S. restaurants and the brands Americans prefer. Despite not topping the list for burger quality, McDonald’s is the first name consumers associate with fast food.

The survey, titled “Best Bites 2026: U.S. Restaurant Brand Rankings,” was conducted by YouGov. It explored dining preferences and restaurant considerations among American adults.

Ashley Brown, a senior director at YouGov, commented that McDonald’s leads in consumer consideration for fast food. This happens even as the chain ranks behind other brands for the taste of its burgers. However, McDonald’s excels in the category of best fries.

Consumer Preferences and Rankings

The survey asked, “When you next purchase food or drink, which of the following would you consider buying from?” McDonald’s led with 39.6% of the votes, followed by Chick-fil-A at 35.5%, and Wendy’s at 33.2%.

McDonald’s topped the list as the most-considered fast-food restaurant across various demographics except for those 65 and above, who favored Wendy’s. Different food categories saw Five Guys as the favorite for burgers, while Subway and Taco Bell led in sandwiches and tacos, respectively.

McDonald’s won by a wide margin in the french fry category with 39.2% of the votes, leaving competitors like Five Guys far behind at 9%.

Chick-fil-A emerged as the quality leader in fast-food brands, also claiming the spot for favored chicken place. It topped rankings based on quality. Pizza Hut was the preferred choice for pizza.

Fast-Food Dining Habits

According to the YouGov report, two-thirds of Americans consume fast food at least monthly. About 30% indulge weekly. Weekly fast-food consumers are predominantly male and younger than 45 years old, with a significant portion being middle-income earners.

For regular fast-food diners, value, discounts, and a clean dining area are crucial considerations. Customizable menu items appeal more to women, while men prefer 24-hour service and self-serve drink stations.

McDonald’s attributes its popularity to its focus on real ingredients like beef patties, white meat chicken, and freshly cracked eggs. The chain claims to adapt its menu continually based on customer feedback.