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5 Worst Burger Chains According to Customers

These five burger chains scored the lowest for customer satisfaction in 2026.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Aug. 30, 2026

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Burger prices have become harder to ignore. A meal that once felt like an inexpensive break from cooking is increasingly becoming an expensive outing, particularly as households try to tackle high grocery costs. That makes customer satisfaction especially important when deciding whether a familiar burger chain still feels worth the money.

The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) study provides a useful snapshot. Rather than lumping every fast-food brand together, ACSI places seven major burger chains in its burger category. The five lowest-scoring brands are below, ranked from the lowest customer-satisfaction score upward.

Editor's note: ACSI scores come from the American Customer Satisfaction Index Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2026, based on surveys conducted over the 12 months ending in March 2026. Scores are measured on a 0–100 scale and reflect customer satisfaction, not an objective ranking of food quality.

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McDonald's

McDonald's sits at the bottom of ACSI's 2026 burger category with a score of 72, although that is a notable two-point improvement from 70 in 2025. The result proves that some customer perceptions have improved, even as value remains a major concern across quick-service restaurants.

For customers, the larger issue appears to be the overall experience rather than simply the burger itself. ACSI says lower pricing is the leading improvement theme among QSR respondents, followed by faster service, better order accuracy, and improved food quality.

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Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box posts the second-lowest burger score at 74, unchanged from 2025. That stability separates it from several competitors that moved noticeably in either direction, but it also suggests that customers have not reported enough improvement to lift the chain's overall satisfaction rating.

The overall ACSI findings help explain what may weigh on a score like this. Customers continue to focus on speed, order accuracy, and pricing when describing where quick-service restaurants need improvement. For a chain with a wide menu, inconsistent execution between visits may also matter more than a single standout experience.

Five Guys

Five Guys ranks third-lowest among the burger chains measured by ACSI, scoring 76 in 2026, up one point from 75 a year earlier. That modest improvement suggests customer sentiment has moved in a positive direction, although the chain remains below the overall QSR satisfaction score of 79.

ACSI reports that lower pricing is the most common improvement theme among QSR customers, while restaurant visits remain under pressure from higher menu prices. For a burger chain positioned at a higher price point than many traditional fast-food competitors, customers may want to scrutinize Five Guys' portion size, service, and consistency more closely.

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Wendy's

Wendy's earned an ACSI score of 77, two points higher than its 2025 score of 75. That improvement puts it above the three chains below it, although it remains two points behind the overall QSR benchmark of 79. The year-over-year increase suggests customer sentiment has improved despite continued pressure on the burger category.

ACSI identifies faster service, order accuracy, and pricing among the biggest areas customers would like to see improved across Wendy's restaurants. Those factors can shape whether a fast-food purchase feels convenient and worthwhile, particularly when menu prices are noticeably higher than they once were.

Sonic

Sonic ties Wendy's with an ACSI score of 77, but its year-over-year improvement is considerably larger. The chain jumped four points from 73 in 2025, making it one of the study's biggest satisfaction gainers. ACSI attributes part of that improvement to Sonic's value offerings and notes the brand has leaned into the popular "dirty soda" trend.

That turnaround matters because it proves that a low ranking does not necessarily mean a chain is moving in the wrong direction. Sonic remains among the lower-scoring burger brands, yet customers appear more satisfied than they were a year earlier.

Why burger prices matter right now

The burger category faced an unusually difficult price rise during the period covered by the study. ACSI specifically points to steep beef-price increases in 2025 as a challenge for burger chains, while USDA data shows beef and veal prices were 14.8% higher in April 2026 than a year earlier. Ground beef prices were 18.9% higher over the same period.

That does not mean every customer complaint about a burger chain stems from beef costs. It does help explain why value has become such a prominent part of the satisfaction equation. ACSI reports that lower pricing was the top customer comment theme for improvement across QSRs, followed by faster service, better order accuracy and better food quality.

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What these rankings actually measure

It is important not to read the ACSI list as a ranking of the nation's worst-tasting burgers. The scores measure customer satisfaction with the overall restaurant experience. That includes factors such as order accuracy, food quality, staff courtesy, cleanliness, speed, and digital experiences. The QSR industry score itself remained at 79 in 2026.

The rankings also do not necessarily describe every location. Franchised restaurant operations vary, and one customer's experience at a particular store may look very different from another's. A low national satisfaction score is better viewed as a way to learn about expectations than a guarantee of what a diner encounters on a specific visit.

Bottom line

McDonald's and Jack in the Box occupy the bottom two spots among the seven burger chains ACSI measured in 2026, while Five Guys follows at 76. Wendy's and Sonic are tied at 77, although Sonic stands out for its substantial year-over-year improvement. Burger King and Culver's led the burger category at 78.

For customers looking to go out to eat more, this is worth noting. A lower score points toward potential frustrations involving value, speed, accuracy or consistency rather than declaring a burger objectively poor. With beef prices still rising and restaurant spending under scrutiny, those practical details may matter just as much as the food itself.

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