McDonald’s CEO Faces Criticism and Survey Highlights

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June 20, 2026
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McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski, is under scrutiny for eating on camera during interviews. This prompted discussion on Fox & Friends, where hosts contrasted this with Brian Kilmeade’s choice not to eat on screen. Viewers found Kempczinski’s recent chicken nugget consumption even less favorable than his previous burger video.

A recent report highlights how U.S. restaurants are performing, with McDonald’s being a top choice for fast food despite not ranking highest for burger quality. The international market research group YouGov conducted a survey titled “Best Bites 2026: U.S. Restaurant Brand Rankings,” aimed at uncovering preferred restaurant brands among American adults. Participants were asked about their restaurant considerations, food quality, and dining preferences.

Key Findings:

McDonald’s leads in consumer consideration for fast food, despite competitors offering better-tasting burgers.
The brand is acknowledged for having the best fries.
Though McDonald’s is most frequently considered for quick meals, Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s follow closely in terms of consumer preference.

Ashley Brown, senior director of YouGov, emphasized that consumers evaluate fast food based on numerous factors beyond burger taste. The survey asked respondents which restaurants they would consider for food or drink purchases.

According to the findings:

McDonald’s topped the “most-considered” list with 39.6%.
Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s followed with 35.5% and 33.2%, respectively.
Wendy’s was preferred in the 65+ age group.

The survey revealed Five Guys as the favorite for burgers with 15.5%, with Burger King and In-N-Out Burger as close contenders. McDonald’s ranked fifth with 8.7%. Subway led for deli sandwiches, and Taco Bell for tacos and burritos.

McDonald’s dominated the french fry category, with 39.2% of respondents naming them their favorite. Chick-fil-A topped the charts for chicken, praised for quality, whereas Pizza Hut was favored for pizza.

Despite McDonald’s popularity, it did not rank in the top 10 for quality. Wendy’s offered the best value, ranking above McDonald’s, which came in at eighth place.

The YouGov report also covered consumer views on casual and specialty dining, profiling weekly fast-food diners. Findings show that about two-thirds of Americans visit fast-food establishments monthly, and 30% do so weekly. Among these frequent diners, 55% are male, 45% female, and 51% are younger than 45.

“Value and discounts are major drivers for weekly diners, alongside cleanliness,” the report states.

McDonald’s attributes its enduring popularity to its dedication to quality ingredients like real beef patties, 100% white meat chicken, and freshly cracked eggs. The chain also adapts its menu based on customer feedback to stay in line with evolving preferences.