Chain restaurants are popular for a reason, whether they evoke nostalgia for a simpler time, have fan-favorite foods, or are strategically placed to attract weary travelers or families on a night out. They might not be known for fresh food or great atmosphere, but they’re a part of the fabric of their communities.
However, some popular restaurants consistently let their customers down—to the point where some wonder how they stay in business. Here are restaurants that some people feel don’t offer the best bang for your buck.
1. In-N-Out
This one is a classic case of “You get what you pay for.” Its cheap fare does deserve some hype, but the truth is, the menu—even the secret menu—is fairly limited. If you’re nearby and in the mood for a good ol’ American burger and shake, you can’t go wrong. But if you’re daunted by long drive-thru lines or looking for more options, this might not be the place for you.
2. Chipotle
Chipotle has been getting a lot of buzz these past few years, but it originally started in 1993. On average, expect to pay $10 for a burrito, drink, and chips. Although this is a fine option occasionally, you can make your own bowl for a fraction of the price. Chipotle’s food may be tasty, but eating here daily will drain your wallet.
3. Five Guys
Five Guys has been around since 1986 and has made a name for itself. Like most fast-food joints, you can expect to pay nearly $10 for a meal. For the price and the value you get with other competitors, for some this will be a hard pass. Still, if you’re a fan of their food and prefer to take your food to go, this may still be a viable place for you.
4. Starbucks Coffee
Your expensive coffee habit is indeed getting even more costly. The favorite on-the-go coffee has been trendy for years. It is incredible how pricey it is to get a latte, and it is possible that in 2024, those prices will continue to go up. It’s hard to beat Starbucks’ atmosphere; just be sure to watch your spending here.
5. First Watch
When it comes to a healthy breakfast or brunch with your friends, First Watch is one of the options that comes to mind. Their food is good quality, but most of their complaints on TripAdvisor and BBB could be improved with better customer service.
6. Friendly’s
An east coast favorite, Friendly’s first opened in 1935. I fondly remember their creative ice cream sundaes and family-friendly atmosphere from childhood. Their heavy, greasy diner food doesn’t go over as well, though, especially for anyone over the age of 10. In addition, the pandemic hit them hard, forcing many locations to close.
7. Applebee’s
This is a place where you can grab some late-night appetizers, enjoy a two-for-$20 meal deal, and sip some affordable cocktails. It has a cozy neighborhood vibe, ideal for catching up with friends or unwinding after a long day. Although the decor may be a bit cluttered, and the food may be less than five-star quality, it’s all about the experience!
8. Domino’s
Tom Monaghan, the company’s founder, recognized the potential of delivering pizzas and made it a significant aspect of their business plan. Recently, they have revamped the appearance of their stores, introduced new items to their menu, and changed their pizza recipe. However, there is some bad news, as the prices for both food and delivery have increased.
If you’re a true pizza fan, any pizza not coming from a local mom-and-pop shop isn’t going to cut it. There are too many great pizza options to settle for large chains. However, if you ever crave or have limited options at the airport, Dominos may be a lifesaver.
9. Fazoli’s
This fast-food chain stretches the definition of Italian food to its limit. It’s one of those places that might trigger some nostalgia from your childhood, but let’s be honest: the quality has dived. If you’re craving some genuine Italian flavors, you might give this one a pass.
10. Cracker Barrel
While it may have held some fond memories and served up decent fare in the past, doubts linger about its current standing. Some online comments have even likened it to “the new Applebee’s,” a comparison that doesn’t quite inspire confidence. It seems worth exploring other dining options to see what else exists.
11. Subway
Did you know that Subway is the largest chain restaurant globally, with over 75,000 locations worldwide? If you’re curious whether you can still get a 12-inch Subway sandwich for only $5 in 2023, the answer is no. Unfortunately, Subway no longer provides the $5 Footlong promotion as a permanent deal.
12. KFC
KFC is the second-largest food chain in the US and has 18,875 outlets in 118 countries and territories worldwide. Unfortunately, if you enjoy KFC’s popcorn chicken, Kentucky fried chicken wings, and chocolate chip cookies, you’ll be disappointed that these popular menu items were removed.
13. Olive Garden
Olive Garden has always been a go-to place for affordable Italian food for many families. However, in 2023, Olive Garden, like other restaurants, increased their prices. While Italian food is known for being made with love, some people feel that Olive Garden needs that authentic touch and has a somewhat bland taste.
14. Burger King
The food at the restaurant in question does not meet the standards of the customer. The chicken tenders, fries, and burger buns all taste like they were heated and left to sit for too long before being served. Although the burgers are somewhat decent, the customer feels the quality could be better.
15. Golden Corral
As one individual online put it, Golden Corral is an abomination. I’ve never been to one, as they’re not popular where I grew up. But based on the menu and the hateful online comments, I will take my lack of experience with Golden Corral as a win. Also, a corral is often a feeding area for livestock, which many say is all too accurate.
16. Pizza Hut
Whenever I visit Pizza Hut, it is not a good time. Although some great discounts are available, the customer service at Pizza Hut locations could be better. They also feel that the pizza selection could be more creative and could use some improvement.
17. Long John Silver’s
Fish and fast food are a match when it’s right. Fish should always be fresh. While they’re pretty successful and have been around for over 50 years, many people do not consider them a good option, especially if the fish is not fresh.
18. TGI Friday’s
Despite the enticing appetizer platter, the food at TGI Fridays is unimpressive. The menu needs more inspiration, and the restaurant’s overall vibe could be more exciting. I haven’t visited this place since childhood, and even then, I knew it was unacceptable.
19. Tim Hortons
I have never had the opportunity to visit a Tim Hortons, but I have heard from people who have been there that it can be unpredictable. They frequently change their menu offerings, so it is difficult to know what will be available apart from the coffee and donuts.
20. Chili’s
Chili’s and Applebee’s are similar, except that Chili’s serves Tex-Mex cuisine. It offers a range of dishes, from sour margaritas to soft tortilla chips to sizzling fajitas. Despite changing its menu multiple times, it’s doubtful that its recent improvements have made a vast difference.
21. Sonic
If there’s one thing that sets them apart, it’s their unique recipe combinations. From adding Powerade to a slushie to serving soft mozzarella sticks, everything they make falls short of expectations.
22. Chick-Fil-A
Chick-fil-A has been involved in many bad situations in recent years. Many people on the internet are obsessed with the chicken chain, but some find their chicken dry and flavorless. The staff is friendly and welcoming, but I need help comprehending how the drive-through is always crowded.
23. McDonald’s
This one offended me a little bit, as I adore McChickens, but I understand where people are coming from. The food looks unnecessarily greasy and unappealing. It makes me sad when I open a McDonald’s cheeseburger and see two tiny pickles stacked on top of each other in the center of the burger.
24. Taco Bell
Aside from the Crunchwrap Supreme, everything on this menu is monotonous. People have many gripes with Taco Bell, from the wilting lettuce to the adulteration of tacos. I hate them for giving me hot sauce labeled as “Diablo” or “Fire,” only for it to be as mild as a dollop of their watery sour cream.
25. Panera
I used to enjoy Panera salad, but they’re going downhill as their quality standards plummet and their prices climb. I hope they can return to the standard of quality that they used to have, as I would love to continue enjoying their salads in the future.
26. Papa John’s
I’ve never been offended by their food or restaurants, but everything they make is boring. Plus, their menu could be more varied, so there are no exciting toppings to explore or interesting appetizers, just dull, greasy pizzas.
27. Buffalo Wild Wings
BWW is all about chicken wings. They have the best chicken wing TV commercials and a proven business model. When you go to BWW, you expect this bar wing flavor that can quickly spice up your day. But so many people are commenting on their rubbery chicken and bad fries.
28. Ruby Tuesday
Another chain restaurant that fails to achieve the bare minimum, Ruby Tuesday, is known for its burgers, but their burgers could be better. The patties are thin, and their ingredients taste frozen despite their claims. I think they purposely make their fries wrong so people won’t abuse the endless fry refills they offer.
29. Arby’s
If you look at Arby’s menu online or watch their commercials, the roast beef sandwiches look meaty, robust, and juicy. Sadly, this is a lie. Whenever I get Arby’s, and by whenever, I mean those two times it happened, I feel like I’ve been catfished, as I wind up with a sad and tiny sandwich.
30. Little Caesar’s
While I’m not too fond of Little Caesar’s, you get what you pay for with this one. They make no claims to be high-end, but they promise to have a hot pizza ready for you at any moment and will only charge $5. But those pizzas are $5 for a reason, and the reason is they lack flavor.
31. Sbarro
The pizza at Sbarro is better than most other chains on the list, but it deserves a mention. As one individual said, it takes a lot of work to ruin pizza. However, Sbarro manages to make its pizza slimy and flavorless, and you can taste the disdain in every bite.
32. IHOP
I love pancakes! Who doesn’t? They’re one of the hardest foods to mess up. But despite selling itself as the ultimate pancake spot, IHOP’s pancakes differ from what they pictured. They fall apart on the fork and have a dry, mealy texture that forces you to drown your plate in syrup to get away from the texture.
33. White Castle
The Columbus, Ohio-based chain is known for its cheap, small burgers. Despite its worldwide recognition, its cold mini burgers have been criticized. It’s a great spot, but anyone who has ever had a decent slider will be appalled by its food.
34. Carl’s Jr.
With all these fast food chains, Carl’s Jr. is either beloved or hated. The Western version of Hardee’s is often cited for having bad food, and some people don’t like going back there after one time.