- MONEY magazine compared America's fast-food chains based on the dining experience and the average cost of a combo meal.
- The fast-food chains featured have over 300 locations nationwide and offer good-value food.
- The Californian chain In-N-Out Burger ranked in first place with an average rating of 4.67 out of 5.
Fast food chains keep America running. Whether loading up on snacks during a on road trips or grabbing a quick lunch, most of us still have go-to burger and fried chicken joints that keep us coming back for more.
But even a cheap lunch should be good enough to deserve your money. So which are the best fast food chains for your money? I set out to evaluate the top chains and determine whether, say, the iconic Golden Arches could stand up to newer chains like Chick-fil-A when it comes to value.
To start, I identified the pool of contenders: I wanted chains with over 300 locations nationwide that serve cheap eats without the hassle of a sit-down experience. Among those, I asked my MONEY colleagues to rate their recent dining experiences — and then ranked them by factoring in both the average cost of a combo meal and the level of customer experience.
Without further ado, here are the results: the top 25 fast-food chains for your money:
1. In-N-Out Burger
- Average cost of a combo meal: $5.93
- Average MONEY staff rating: 4.67
Founded in 1948, In-N-Out Burger has since become a California institution with an almost fanatic following worldwide. MONEY staffers proved no less immune, scoring this chain the highest of all those rated.
2. Dairy Queen
- Average cost of a combo meal: $5.50
- Average MONEY staff rating: 3.67
Known for its sweet treats, Dairy Queen has come a long way from its origins in Illinois in 1940. Today, the chain serves up lunch and dinner alongside the famous soft-serve ice cream.
3. Zaxby's
//instagram.com/p/BgruQ3WlrbC/embed
Width: 658px
- Average cost of a combo meal: $5
- Average MONEY staff rating: 4.25
A Georgia-based fried chicken chain that opened in the 1990s, Zaxby's is now available in over a dozen states. The chain is known for plates that come with "chicken fingerz," crinkle fries, a slice of Texas toast, cole slaw, Zax sauce for dipping, and a drink.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider