• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, September 6, 2011

Among "mega" U.S. fast-food chains (those with more than 5,000 outlets), Subway ranks #1 in popularity, healthy options and service; Wendy's gets the top overall rating (across averaged food, facilities and service rankings); and McDonald's is highest-ranked in overall value, facilities and a number of other categories, according to the results of Zagat's 2011 national survey on fast-food and full-service restaurants. 

The survey's 6,064 online respondents reported eating at fast-food chains (which included both QSRs and fast casuals) 6.3 times per month on average, and at full-service chains 4.4 times per month on average. The surveys included 103 fast-food chains and 34 full-service chains.

In addition to asking respondents to rank chains on various criteria, Zagat asked them what they think about government mandates requiring fast-food/chain restaurants to display calorie counts. The results seem to have significant implications for chains.

A resounding 69% said that they support calorie-count displays, versus 13% indicating they do not support these, and 18% indicating that they don't care either way. Also, among those who frequent chains that do display calorie counts, 44% said the calorie displays have caused them to opt for lower-calorie choices and 9% said these have deterred them from eating as often at fast-food restaurants. Another 27% said these have raised their awareness of foods' calories, but have not affected their food choices, and 18% said they ignore the calorie postings.

Mega Fast-Food Winners

The top popularity ranking means that Subway was cited most often by the diners surveyed as being their favorite among all of the mega chains. McDonald's came in second on the popularity ranking, followed by Wendy's, Burger King and Taco Bell.

When consumers' separate rankings of the megas' on food, facilities and service were averaged, Wendy's pulled the top overall spot, followed by Subway, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and KFC.

Looking at top-rated food rankings, Wendy's was #1 among megas, followed by Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King. In top-rated facilities, McDonald's pulled first place, followed by Wendy's, Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut. In the top-rated service rankings, Subway was followed by Wendy's, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. On top healthy options, Subway was followed by Wendy's, McDonald's, Taco Bell and KFC.

McDonald's pulled top place in the categories of best value menu (as well as best overall value), "most child-friendly," and best drive-through.

Large Fast-Food Winners

Among large fast-food chains (up to 5,000 U.S. QSR or fast-casual units), Five Guys Burgers and Fries ranked first in popularity, followed by Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out Burger.

Chick-fil-A ranked #1 in top overall (averaged food/facilities/ service) rankings, followed by In-N-Out Burger, Papa Murphy's, Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

In the top-rated food rankings, In-N-Out ranked first, followed by Chick-fil-A, Papa Murphy's, Five Guys and Chipotle Mexican Grill. In top-rated facilities, Panera Bread was followed by Chick-fil-A, Pei Wei Asian Diner, McAlister's Deli and In-N-Out. Service-wise, Chick-fil-A ranked #1, followed by In-N-Out, Papa Murphy's, Jimmy John's and Panera Bread.

Jason's Deli won the top-rated healthy options category, followed by Panera Bread, Baja Fresh, Atlanta Bread Co. and Cosi.

Quick Refreshment Winners

Looking at chains that serve coffee, ice cream, frozen yogurt or smoothies as their featured items, Starbucks ranked most popular, followed by Dunkin' Donuts, Culver's, Ben & Jerry's and Cold Stone Creamery.

In top overall (averaged food/facilities/service) rankings, Pinkberry ranked #1, followed by Red Mango, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Culver's and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

In the food rankings, the top five were Ben & Jerry's, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Haagen-Dazs, Red Mango and Pinkberry. In facilities, the top five were Caribou Coffee, Pinkberry, Starbucks, Red Mango and Peet's Coffee & Tea. In Service, the top five were Caribou Coffee, Culver's, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks and Peet's Coffee & Tea.

In top-rated healthy options, Red Mango came in first, followed by Jamba Juice, Smoothie King, Pinkberry and TCBY.

Best Food/Beverage Items

In rankings of particular types of food/beverages that spanned the fast-food restaurant sizes/categories, here are some of the winners: best burger, Five Guys; best French fries, McDonald's; best coffee, Starbucks (Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's came in second and third); best fried chicken, KFC; best grilled chicken, Chick-fil-A; best wings, Buffalo Wild Wings; best fish, Long John Silver's; and best milkshake, Dairy Queen.

Full-Service Winners

Here are the top five winners within various categories, listed in order of their rankings:

*Most popular: P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Cheesecake Factory, Bonefish Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Maggiano's Little Italy

*Top overall (averaged food/facilities/service rankings): Bonefish Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Cheesecake Factory

*Top-rated food: Bonefish Grill, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory

*Top-rated facilities: Bonefish Grill, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, Cheesecake Factory, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

*Top-rated service: Bonefish Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, Carrabba's Italian Grill, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Cheesecake Factory

*Top-rated healthy options: Bonefish Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Mimi's Café, Ruby Tuesday, P.F. Chang's China Bistro