Seattle Culture
Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, But No KFC
What’s your guilty fast-food pleasure?
By Rob Smith July 19, 2024
I recently took five eighth graders to lunch between games at a basketball tournament. Their preference was enthusiastically unanimous: Chick-fil-A. My 14-year-old would eat there every day if I let him.
Despite complaints over rising prices — have you been following the “value menu” wars at quick-service restaurants? — we love our fast food. The Barbecue Lab website says most Americans eat fast food one to three times a week. Surprisingly, people with higher incomes visit these restaurants more frequently.
Now comes a new data study that reveals Washington’s favorite and least favorite fast-food chains.
QR Code Generator analyzed Tripadvisor reviews from 250 fast-food restaurants to determine the most and least popular. Washington’s favorite? Five Guys, the Virginia-based burger joint that operates 33 locations across the state.
The aforementioned Chick-fil-A places second, followed by Seattle’s own Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, and Panera Bread, my favorite among the most popular.
We especially dislike KFC, rated as the worst fast-food chain with an average of just 2.92 stars. Sonic Drive-In, Burger King, Wingstop, and McDonald’s round out the bottom five.
“Although it may not be the healthiest, fast-food is a massive guilty pleasure if you love some fried chicken, a juicy burger, and many other food options available in the U.S.,” says QR Code CEO Marc Porcar. “We all love a treat here and there, but it is important to bear in mind fast-food consumed in large quantities can have bad effects on your health.”
Our love affair with fast food is fueled by convenience, flavor, and instant gratification. Apparently, we just can’t say no to sugar, salt, and fat.
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