McDonald’s Takes the Bottom Spot Once Again
The golden arches have lost their shine when it comes to customer service, and honestly, it’s not even close. McDonald’s ranks dead last in customer service according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), scoring just 71 out of 100 in 2024 — though this was actually a slight improvement from their abysmal 69 score in 2023. What’s really telling is that customers consistently report the same problems: messed up orders and incredibly rude staff members. One frustrated Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “Most of the time the employees are rude. I understand that some of them can be stressed, but they have some of the worst employees”.
Jack in the Box Disappoints with Order Accuracy Issues
Jack in the Box claims “We don’t make it until you order it,” but customers are finding that what they get isn’t always what they wanted. The chain has become notorious for getting orders wrong, which is particularly frustrating when you’re paying for customized food. An increasing number of customers complain that the burger chain is in a downward spiral, pointing to rude service and long waits. When you combine incorrect orders with poor attitude from staff, you’ve got a recipe for customer dissatisfaction. The chain’s “made to order” promise feels more like false advertising when your burger arrives looking nothing like what you requested.
Popeyes Makes You Wait Forever for Chicken
If you’ve ever waited over half an hour for a chicken sandwich, you’ll understand why Popeyes ranks third worst in customer service. Look, nobody’s questioning the quality of their Louisiana-style fried chicken — it’s genuinely delicious. The Louisiana chain knows its way around fried chicken — no one’s arguing that — but when it comes to service, customers say it’s a different story. The problem isn’t the food itself; it’s the painfully long wait times that make you question whether that chicken sandwich is really worth half your lunch break.
Taco Bell’s Service Doesn’t Match Its Social Media Game
Just like Wendy’s, Taco Bell has a killer social media presence, but when it comes to customer service, the Tex-Mex giant has a lot of work to do. The chain scored 73 in the latest ACSI rankings, with complaints about incorrect orders, long wait times, and inconsistent food quality piling up. It’s ironic that a brand known for its witty Twitter responses can’t seem to get basic customer service right at their actual locations. Taco Bell ranks among the worst fast-food chains in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report, receiving the fourth-lowest score, just above Jack in the Box, Popeyes, and McDonald’s.
Subway Builds Disappointment Along with Sandwiches
For a chain that lets customers build their perfect sub, too many are walking away disappointed. Complaints about inconsistencies across locations, rude employees, sloppy sandwiches, and long waits placed Subway in the sixth spot with a score of 74, down from 75 in 2023. The irony here is that Subway’s whole business model is about customization and getting exactly what you want, yet customers frequently report receiving poorly made sandwiches that don’t match their orders. When you’re standing there watching someone make your sandwich and it still comes out wrong, that’s a special kind of frustrating.
Dairy Queen’s Service Isn’t as Sweet as Their Treats
You usually go to Dairy Queen to satisfy a sugar craving, but according to customers, don’t expect sweet customer service. Similar to Subway, Dairy Queen’s customer satisfaction worsened, dropping from 75 in 2023 to 74 in 2024. Long wait times are a common complaint as well as food that arrives cold or hastily thrown together. There’s something particularly disappointing about waiting forever for ice cream only to receive it in a sloppy state. When your Blizzard looks like it was assembled by someone having a bad day, it definitely kills the mood.
Little Caesars More Like “Lukewarm, Never Ready”
According to many Little Caesars customers, the chain is more “Lukewarm, Never Ready.” The chain scored 75 out of 100 for customer satisfaction with common complaints being inconsistent availability, long waits, and rude staff. For a chain that built its reputation on being “Hot-N-Ready,” it’s pretty damning when customers consistently report that their pizza is neither hot nor ready when they arrive. The whole appeal of Little Caesars was supposed to be convenience — grab a pizza and go. When that basic promise falls apart, customers understandably get frustrated, especially when they’re dealing with unfriendly staff on top of the wait.
Burger King’s Crown is Definitely Slipping
It seems the King’s crown is slipping, as customers complain that “they seldom have it their way” at Burger King. The chain scored 77 in the latest ACSI ranking, with customers reporting slow service and frequent order mistakes in the home of the whopper. One frustrated customer shared: “They open whenever they want, no apologies or even an acknowledgment of long wait times. Calls to store management and emails to corporate do nothing”. The brand’s famous slogan “Have it your way” has become almost satirical when customers consistently report getting the wrong orders and dealing with indifferent staff who seem unbothered by mistakes.
