If you’re looking for a quick bite, American chain restaurants are a staple in many neighborhoods. However, more than 134,000 online reviews of fast food restaurants indicate that not every drive-through or quick-service experience is a great one. We dug through all the fast food reviews to determine which companies recieve the most complaints. The top 10 most discussed fast food companies include popular places such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC, among others. Here’s what reviews says about the ten worst fast food chains in America. Key Insights The most reviewed and criticized fast food is McDonald's, one of the largest restaurant chains, which may contribute to the volume of customer complaints. On this list, the best fast food, according to customer reviews, is KFC. Burger King is a close second. To avoid issues with fast food restaurants and maximize your positive experience, visit chains during off-peak times, study online feedback on a review platform, carefully examine the menu before your order, and consider using mobile apps. 1. McDonald’s: It's time to make a complaint or get a lawyer Number of McDonald’s reviews: 17.6K McDonald’s rating*: 1,8 As one of the most popular fast food restaurants, McDonald’s is a household name. The golden arches are easily recognized and are associated with quick burgers and fresh, crispy fries. In fact, location is one of the positive aspects mentioned in McDonald’s reviews. Customers praise the food when orders are correct, enjoying the convenience and fast, friendly service. Common McDonald’s complaints, however, are about rude staff, incorrect and cold orders, delays on refunds, and issues with the McDonald’s app. This may be why McDonald’s is the worst-rated fast food restaurant. One customer recently complained that after ordering from a local McDonald’s, they “felt so disrespected” because the staff “put maybe a whole cup of Max sauce on my sandwich.” After approaching the restaurant about the issue with no resolution, the customer complained they were “starting to feel discriminated on.” 2. Pizza Hut: “Just awful experience” Number of Pizza Hut reviews: 8.9K Pizza Hut rating: 1.9 With decades of history, Pizza Hut has developed from a table-top pizza joint to a home-delivery or to-go pizza model. Pizza Hut is near the bottom of the worst food chains list, likely because customers are frustrated by repeated interactions with rude managers and staff, burned or incorrect orders, and billing and gift card issues. Other customers report they enjoy the quality of the pizza and praise local store staff who provide good service. Poor customer service, messed-up orders, and unprofessional behavior are some of the most common issues mentioned in Pizza Hut reviews. One customer experienced significant issues with a large order. When they went to collect the order they placed online, the customer found “chaos was happening at the store.” The order wasn’t ready until 90 minutes after the stated pick-up time, and the customer discovered “that the pizza wasn’t correct at all….come of it cold and folded because apparently they didn’t have a large box. They also were short an entire pizza.” The customer has been working to resolve the issue and get a refund without success. 3. Subway: “The bread was moldy” Number of Subway reviews: 8.9K Subway rating: 1.6 As a build-it-your-way sandwich shop, Subway should be able to cater easily to customer needs. They need only choose the items to put on their sandwich and enjoy. Customer reviews note that Subway offers fresh food, and the sandwiches are good when the order is correct. Others note that there are slow or rude customer service issues, online order issues, and unresolved refund requests. Subway reviews tell us that things don’t always go as expected. One customer left a review that after a Subway employee made their sandwich, they noticed that “the bread was moldy.” The employee “stated that it was from the tray” and offered to remake the sandwich. The customer declined the offer out of concern that “moldy bread was available and served in the first place.” They also noted that the “employee was quite rude from the start.” Write a review 4. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen: Incomplete Orders and Slow Service Number of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen reviews: 8K Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen rating: 1.8 Originally founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, Popeye’s is a popular fried chicken restaurant serving mild and spicy varieties of customer favorites. While not the worst fast food chain, customers still have plenty to say about rude staff and poor customer service. Online reviews also complain about errors with orders, double charges, and food safety concerns. These complaints are offset a bit by praise for good food and good chicken with fresh biscuits and menu favorites. Popeyes reviews tell us that the restaurant does some things well, like serving good food and good chicken. Other areas, however, are of concern. One customer had safety concerns after their phone was stolen at a Popeyes. The customer noted that their phone “continued showing at this exact location during hours of operation” and that “the store manager refused to review or preserve the [camera] footage” because the store “needed to protect the business.” 5. Taco Bell: “Got done dirty” Number of Taco Bell reviews: 6.4K Taco Bell rating: 1.9 As a well-known fast food joint specializing in Mexican fare like burritos and tacos, Taco Bell brings different offerings to the convenience food industry. In their Taco Bell reviews, customers praise good food, convenient locations, and decent pricing. Some customers also note they would return to the restaurant if issues were resolved. Customers do complain about poor customer service, app errors, delayed delivery, and incorrect charges or missing food items that require a refund. One customer shared that their order was incorrect and not full, but a cashier didn't care at all : Asked for a beefy red chip burrito, no cheese or rice because my son is allergic; still put cheese on it and grilled it, not what I asked for. The Mexican pizza meal large asked for no beans and extra beef. Gave us no extra beef and extra beans. Spent a good amount of money to be disrespected and no cared about quality or customer service. 6. Domino’s Pizza: “Poor service and unprofessionallism” Number of Domino’s Pizza reviews: 6.1K Domino’s Pizza rating: 1.9 As we move away from bad fast food chains, another pizza chain, Domino’s Pizza claims to have the “humility and courage to embrace and lead change.” Clients and their satisfaction have become the company's priority. However, Domino’s reviews mention frequent delivery failures, long waits, and missing items as well as unresponsive customer service and billing problems. Customers also complain about issues with the app and difficulty with refunds. Many customers do enjoy the pizza from Dominos as well as the convenience of nearby locations. Among the Domino’s reviews, one customer complained that after setting aside a cash tip, the Domino’s delivery driver “had an attitude” and was rude. The customer then: After I opened the pizza box and took the smallest slice and discovered thick brownish red hair... on the pizza took a video and everything. All I wanted was a refund and they want to give you the run around. Be careful. 7. Jack in the Box: Waited too long Number of Jack in the Box reviews: 5.6K Jack in the Box rating: 1.8 Known for being one of the first fast food restaurants to stay open twenty-four hours, Jack in the Box is a favorite of late-night snacks and desserts. Some Jack in the Box reviews praise the company for good food and close locations. Others, however, complain about poor customer service and rude staff. Complaints also mention refund delays, billing errors, cleanliness, and food safety concerns. There are also repeating complaints about drive-through experience. One customer (#6876145) complained about slow service and long wait time during their late visit to Jack in the Box: I waited 32 minutes for someone to take my order in the drive-through. No cars were in front of me. 8. Little Caesars: “They NEVER get your order right” Number of Little Caesars reviews: 4.7K Little Caesars rating: 2.1 Another pizza joint joining the list of worst fast food restaurants, Little Caesars offers cheap pizza to-go. With their hot and ready offerings, customers can walk in, grab a freshly made pizza, and be out the door almost immediately. Customers praise the brand’s affordability and the easy location of the pizza shops in their Little Caesars reviews. Others criticize the fast-food restaurant for wrong or missing orders, burned or undercooked pizza, rude managers and aggressive staff, as well as issues with refunds and billing. One customer explained that, they “grew up with Little Caesars” and love them, but added that the company “has pushed [them] too far.” According to the customer: Whether Im ordering directly from the store, in person, online or through DoorDash, they NEVER get your order right... The first time I ordered I asked for TWO deep dish, pepperoni pizzas. I received ONE Slices and sticks pizza which is half pepperoni pizza, and half breadsticks. 9. Burger King: “Terrible service, repeatedly” Number of Burger King reviews: 4.3k Burger King rating: 1.6 Burger King professes to be the “King of Burgers” and it’s notable that they are the highest burger joint on this list of top fast-food restaurants. Burger King customers praise the food when it’s prepared well, and many are true fans of the Whopper – the restaurant chain's signature burger. Among the Burger King reviews, other customers complain about pervasive issues with poor customer service, rude staff, missing items, cold orders, and difficulty contacting customer service or getting refunds. One customer (#7128120) noted that their family waited “28 minutes” and then for another 10, while waiting for their order. When the order arrived, it was one meal instead of the four meals the family had ordered. 10. KFC: $80.00 for trash Number of KFC reviews: 4.2K KFC rating: 1.9 Another well-known fried chicken joint, KFC, specializes in its “passion for serving finger lickin’ good food.” Of course, customers don’t always find this to be the case based on the many KFC reviews left on our site. While some customers praise the food's taste and convenient locations, others find that KFC orders are frequently missing items and that the staff is rude and unprofessional. There are also complaints about poor food quality and concerns about hygiene. According to one customer, their order was prepared incorrectly, even though the wait time was significant: After waiting for 20 minutes for extra crispy, you receive chicken where half of it has no flour on it, and it's not in the bucket, so I don't know where it went... I spent $80.00 for trash. Tips to Avoid a Bad Fast Food Experience If you are afraid of the worst fast food chains and want to avoid a negative experience, it’s always good to go in aware of what you’re working with. Here are some practical tips to help: Visit during off-peak times. If you come during the lunch or dinner rush, you’re less likely to get good service. Visit when the location isn’t jammed and employees are frantic. Review the menu online. Most fast food chains have their menus available online. You can visit their sites and learn about options and prices before you go. This will help to make sure that every choice you make is the best one for you. Check your order before leaving. Before you leave the counter or drive-thru, look at your order carefully to ensure everything is correct. Check if your special inquiries have been followed, all items are included, and the size of the portion is as expected. Use mobile apps and loyalty programs. Many fast food restaurants have mobile apps and loyalty programs to offer discounts, rewards, and promotions to their customers. Assess cleanliness. When you arrive, check the restaurant's cleanliness. If the dining and food prep areas are not clean, there is a higher chance the food will be handled in the same way. Communicate clearly and calmly. When you place your order, speak clearly and confirm your selections. If you have any food restrictions or special requests, kindly stress them with confidence. Don't stay silent, and ask questions if you need clarification. Ask to talk to the supervisor if there is a need. If you have an issue at a fast food restaurant and it cannot be resolved by a staff member, politely request to speak with the supervisor. A supervisor is usually able to address more significant problems. Examine online reviews. Before going to the place, read customer feedback. An online review platform is a great place to find consumer insights. Some locations are known to be slow in the drive-through or have difficulties with customer service. What experience have you had with fast food chains? Was it positive or negative? You may write a review and share your insights with fellow customers. Write a review *Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.