American fast food: who’s eating what and where’s the best service?
Fast food is more than just a convenience—it’s a staple of the American diet. A quarter (25%) of Americans indulging in fast food several times a week and another 35% several times a month. A recent YouGov survey investigates who’s driving this trend, where they’re eating, and which quick service restaurants have the best service.
Demographic differences: young Southern men are the most regular consumers of fast food
The appeal of fast food spans generations and regions, but not equally. Young Americans between 18 and 34 are the most frequent consumers, with 42% enjoying it several times per week, compared to just 13% of those aged 55 and above. Men are more likely than women to choose fast food several times per week (31% vs. 20%) then are women. In the South, 30% of consumers regularly eat fast food, nearly double the proportion in the Midwest (17%). If we put all these variables together, we find that nearly half (45%) of young men in the South eat fast food multiple times per week.
Where are Americans eating? McDonald’s and Burger King lead the pack
Americans have a wide array of choices when it comes to fast food, but some brands stand out as especially popular. When asked which fast food restaurants they’d tried in the past year, two-thirds (66%) of Americans chose McDonald’s and about half (47%) had gone to Burger King. Taco Bell came third with 44%.
Preferences vary among age groups. For example, Chick-fil-A is more popular among younger audiences. Two fifths of 18-34-year-olds (40%) visited last year compared to 34% of those aged 55 or older. On the other hand, Arby’s is especially popular with older consumers. A third (34%) of those over 55 went to Arby’s last year compared to only 13% of those aged 18-34. For those aged 35-54, Taco Bell (49%) and Subway are stand-out choices.
Best service in quick service
When it comes to service, Chick-fil-A is perceived to have the best, with 35% praising their customer service. McDonald’s ranks second overall but leads among the younger crowd with 43% noting their positive service experiences. KFC and Burger King are noted for their service too but see more variability across age groups.
Younger consumers are more likely to rate the service at KFC or McDonald’s than their elders. Conversely, those over 34 prefer the service at Chick-fil-A and Subway.
As fast food chains compete for market share, understanding demographic preferences and perceptions of service can help tailor marketing strategies and operational improvements. For the industry, staying relevant means not only serving food quickly but also maintaining a quality experience that meets the varied expectations of American diners.
YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on between December 23, 2024 and January 1, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 1203 adults (aged 18+ years) in the US, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, race, gender, education, and region to be representative of all adults in the US (18 years or older), and reflect the latest population estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.