Founded in LA back in the early 1940s, Carl’s Jr is “here to serve you. We’re known as the place to go for juicy, delicious charbroiled burgers. Because if you’re gonna eat, you should Eat Like You Mean It.” And that neat little line is trademarked, thank you very much! What began as a hotdog stand became a multimillion-dollar fast-food empire, memorable for its marketing and menu options. Sure, the servings are generous, and in America, bigger is better (right?). But whilst it looks all shiny and new on the outside, customers are complaining.
Oh, and, not to mention, the overtly sexual commercials – come on, we’re not still in the 1940s team! So with the advertisements and alarmingly high level of trans fats used in their meals, you’d be better off having a meal at home! Consumer Score: 33%
Sbarro
You’re in New York City; you’re wandering around Time Square and find your stomach grumbling. You look left, you look right, and ah-a! A neon sign reading “Sbarro” catches your eye. But whilst the food may look appetizing, it’s all summed up in a statement from Neil Irwin of the New York Times: “You eat Sbarro not because you want Sbarro, but because it is the food that is available; at the moment you want some food.” Sure it serves the famous New York-style pizza, but New Yorkers are even scratching their heads as to why it’s there in the first place.
Whilst the pizza is sloppy with cheese that could possibly be fake (?) it’s the cost that surprises us – at almost $4 US a slice, a whole pizza would set you back over $30! Yeah, no, thanks! If you’re still curious, Sbarro can be found at your local deserted mall. Consumer Score: 34%
Burger King
The American raised global hamburger chain was found in Jacksonville, Florida, and now boasts a whopping 17,896 stores worldwide! Incredible! You’d think that with that number of stores, they’d be onto something – you don’t keep opening stores if your product isn’t good or in demand, right? Most customers walk on through into Burger King for their Whopper burger, but often customers are disappointed!
Reviews generally complain of a lack of toppings with too much onion! Not to mention the dismally sized patty itself. Sure, people who complain are often disgruntled and have something else going on in their lives, but it seems that they’ve done something really wrong to be ranked so poorly on the list! Consumer Score: 33%
Jack in the Box
Now National Cheeseburger Day falls on September 18 each year (and if you didn’t know that, you do with that vital information what you will), and recently, Jack in the Box gave away free burgers this year! The not bad marketing team, not bad at all. But despite the free burgers, for their caloric content, we’d be thinking twice before gobbling one down. Ranking number two in our list of the worst fast-food chains in America, Jack in the Box received a low rating from consumers.
Apparently, food quality is poor, but hey, when you’re eating deep-fried tacos, isn’t it about the deep fry and less about the filling? Regardless, keyboard warriors united online, describing their tacos as “a wet envelope of cat food.” Meeeow! Consumer Score: 33%
McDonald’s
Ah, those famous golden arches. You really can’t round a corner in America without seeing one of the famed fast-food restaurants or a sign directing you to the nearest one! Whilst it’s the most popular on our list, it also rates the worst too! Sure, it does volume better than any other fast food joint, but it seems that with high quantity, the quality does indeed decrease. Customers these days are increasingly savvier with regards to the freshness and taste of their meals, and it seems McDonald’s just isn’t delivering.
Though things are Mc Changing (see what we did there?), with the company using patties made from 100% USDA certified beef. But if you’ve stepped into a McDonald’s recently, you’ll notice a push to the “healthier” grilled options. But hey, if you go past McDonald’s, you’re going to want your chicken nuggets or a Big Mac.. please, let us indulge in peace. Consumer Score: 28%