Restaurants have had a rough year, considering they're one of the few places patrons can't enjoy with a mask on. But many diners have still turned to fast-food joints and carryout options throughout 2020 and now in 2021. And through the challenges, we've been able to see which restaurant chains could take the heat. With that in mind, we set out to find which major restaurants have the worst customer service, according to diners themselves. Yes, it's time to crown the most hated unpopular restaurant chain in America.
First, we used the 2020 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report as a jumping off point for our list of 31 fast-food and casual-dining restaurants. We also factored in the report's customer satisfaction rating of the 31 contenders, with 100 being the highest level of satisfaction. In addition to that score, we gathered data from consumer review and rating sites Trustpilot and Pissed Consumer to find out where customers were the most—and least—satisfied. Both sites use a five-star rating system.
Finally, we gave each of these metrics a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how they scored on our 100-point scale Dissatisfaction Index, which is one test you don't want to score highly on if you're a restaurant.
Generally, consumers surveyed for the ASCI report were much more positive about their experiences. Internet commenters were less satisfied (not a huge surprise there). You also have to factor in that people tend to remember bad experiences more strongly than good ones, and are therefore more likely to write a negative review than a positive one.
Nevertheless, the end results of our number crunching may surprise you, as the most hated restaurant chain is a stalwart of American culture that won’t be going anywhere, no matter how much customers complain. Read on to discover the most unpopular restaurant chain in America and to see how your favorite eateries ranked. And if you want to learn more about bad consumer experiences, This Store Has the Worst Customer Service in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
31 | Chick-fil-A
ASCI customer satisfaction score: 84 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.9 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.5 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 0.00
30 | LongHorn Steakhouse
ASCI satisfaction score: 81 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 4.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.4 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 4.32
29 | Texas Roadhouse
ASCI satisfaction score: 80 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.2 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.6 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 16.93
28 | Cracker Barrel
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.5 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.6 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 26.54
And for the place where money is everything, This Is the Greediest State in America.
27 | Olive Garden
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.3 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.5 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 35.79
26 | Ruby Tuesday
ASCI satisfaction score : 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.7 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.4 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 37.11
25 | Red Robin
ASCI satisfaction score: 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.5 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.4 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 40.11
24 | Red Lobster
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.8 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.3 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 40.79
23 | Starbucks
ASCI satisfaction score: 78 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.7 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.4 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 41.39
And for where in the U.S. you are unlikely to get a helping hand, This Is the Most Selfish State in America.
22 | Dunkin'
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer star: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 42.54
21 | Panera Bread
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 1.8 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.5 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 43.29
20 | TGI Friday's
ASCI satisfaction score: 78 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.3 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 44.89
19 | Outback Steakhouse
ASCI satisfaction score: 78 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.3 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.4 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 47.39
18 | Chipotle Mexican Grill
ASCI satisfaction score: 80 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 52.18
17 | Arby's
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 1.9 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.3 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 54.29
16 | Denny's
ASCI satisfaction score: 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.2 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 57.11
15 | Little Caesars
ASCI satisfaction score: 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.0 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 60.11
14 | Applebee’s
ASCI satisfaction score: 77 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer star: 2.3 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 62.00
13 | Burger King
ASCI satisfaction score: 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.2 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 63.36
And for the fast food chain people can't stand, check out This Is the Most Hated Fast Food Chain in America.
12 | Domino's Pizza
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.0 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 65.29
11 | Subway
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.0 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 65.29
And for an index of indiscretions, This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
10 | Sonic Drive-In
ASCI satisfaction score: 74
Trustpilot stars: 2.8 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.3 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 67.57
9 | Chili's
ASCI satisfaction score: 75 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.8 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.2 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 68.46
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8 | KFC
ASCI satisfaction score: 79 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.0 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.0 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 71.54
7 | Papa John's
ASCI satisfaction score: 78 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.2 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.0 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 73.89
6 | Pizza Hut
ASCI satisfaction score: 77 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 74.50
5 | Wendy's
ASCI satisfaction score: 76 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.2 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 78.36
4 | Jack in the Box
ASCI satisfaction score: 73 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 3.0 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.0 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 88.68
3 | Taco Bell
ASCI satisfaction score: 74 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.1 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 90.57
2 | Popeyes
ASCI satisfaction score: 74 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 1.6 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 98.07
1 | McDonald's
ASCI satisfaction score: 70 out of 100
Trustpilot stars: 2.9 out of 5
Pissed Consumer stars: 2.1 out of 5
Dissatisfaction Index Score: 100.00
And for the place where people can't get enough cannabis, This Is the Most Stoned State in America.