By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-20 17:36:09 | Updated at 2026-06-20 19:31:44
2 hours ago
Americans are still lovin' this fast food chain.
A new consumer survey revealed that McDonald's remains the nation's go-to choice for fast food, with almost four in ten Americans saying the burger joint would be their top pick for their next fast-food meal.
The findings come from YouGov's annual 'Best Bites' report, which surveyed a whopping 48,400 consumers about their fast-food preferences over a 12-month period.
When asked which restaurant they would consider visiting the next time they were looking to buy food or drink, 39.6 percent would pick McDonald's, making it the clear favorite chain nationwide.
For consumer expert Ravi Sawhney, these results aren't surprising.
Even though McDonald's recently faced criticism over rising prices, reduced amenities and menu changes, consumers continue to choose the brand because familiarity 'often outweighs dissatisfaction.'
'In many cases, people don’t choose brands because they love them - they choose them because the experience reduces uncertainty and decision-making effort, he told the Daily Mail.
McDonald's has been at the center of criticism from customers, especially those who noticed surprisingly 'stingy' changes at the chain. Earlier this year, franchises began phases out free refills, with blunt signs popping up at locations nationwide.
McDonald's is known for their Chicken McNuggets and their signature Big Mac sandwich
A social media user posted a picture of a 'no refills' sign at their local McDonald's location
Daily Mail previously reported that store operators switched to behind-the-counter drinks due to theft, declining dine-in traffic and food safety concerns.
At least one franchise has also begun telling staff to only give one 'courtesy' sauce per order of McDonald's chicken nuggets - even a huge order for 40 McNuggets comes with only six sauces.
And while McDonald's may be the country's most popular chain, it didn't secure the win in each YouGov survey. In a separate poll of 11,600 consumers, Americans were asked which fast-food chains offer the best quality and the best value for money.
Chick-fil-A, known for serving chicken-based menu items like tenders, nuggets and sandwiches, was named the fast-food chain with the highest quality food.
Culinary industry expert Darin Leonardson previously told the Daily Mail that brands like 'Chick-fil-A' have 'flipped the script' by 'communicating generosity' to their customers with everything from extra sauces to kind staff. As a result, diners leave feeling as though they are being taken care of.
'That perception builds loyalty,' Leonardson said, 'and loyalty builds lifetime value far beyond the cost of a few sauce packets.'
Wendy's was named the winner for value, suggesting that while McDonald's remains the restaurant Americans are most likely to visit, hungry consumers may look elsewhere for a better bang for their buck.
McDonald's has already taken note of the criticism.
Rival chains like Burger King have been picking up momentum with improvements to their Whopper and in-store experience
Earlier this year, the chain doubled down on value, adding a new breakfast 'meal deal' option and pushing cheaper menu items to win back diners who are watching every dollar.
As a result, last month the fast food giant beat Wall Street expectations, claiming that sales at restaurants open more than a year increased 3.9 percent in the January to March quarter.
Sales jumped 9 percent to $6.52 billion, while profit climbed 6 percent to $1.98 billion.
‘McDonald’s is not going to be beat on value and affordably,’ McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said.
McDonald's remains one of the world's largest chains along with Starbucks and Chinese drink company Mixue Ice Cream and Tea. In America, McDonald's is so ingrained culturally that despite criticism, it's likely to always be a fan-favorite spot, according to experts.
'McDonald’s has become part of America’s cognitive landscape,' Sawhney said. 'People may complain about prices or menu changes, but when they’re hungry, busy or making a quick decision, familiarity often wins.'
