McDonald's Tops Americans' Fast-Food Preferences, Survey Finds

McDonald's is the most liked fast-food chain in the United States, according to a new YouGov survey published by Yahoo. The study polled 48,000 consumers at different points over the course of a year to examine fast-food preferences and habits.

Nearly 40% of respondents named McDonald's as their first choice. Chick-fil-A finished second with 35.5%, followed by Wendy's at 33.2%. Burger King and Taco Bell came next, with 31.6% and 31.2%, respectively.

YouGov also surveyed a smaller group of 11,600 respondents about which chains offered the best quality and the best value for money. In those categories, McDonald's did not come first. Consumers ranked Chick-fil-A highest for quality, while Wendy's was seen as offering the best value.

Ashley Brown, a senior manager at YouGov and the report's lead researcher, said McDonald's won overall because of reliability and accessibility.