Convenience stores are now making the list when it comes to consumer’s favorite QSRs.

A nationwide consumer survey from Market Force Information has revealed consumers’ favorite quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains in four popular food categories: pizza, Mexican fare, chicken and sandwiches.

The survey includes polls of more than 12,700 consumers who were asked to rate their satisfaction with their last experience at a given restaurant and their likelihood to recommend it to others. In addition, the study considered other factors, such as service, food quality, value, social media and mobile technology, that are driving consumer preference.

Pizza

Customer Satisfaction
The survey revealed the following rankings, based on Customer Satisfaction:

1. Papa Murphy’s – this is the second consecutive year that Papa Murphy’s has ranked first
2. Pizza Ranch
3. Papa John’s
4. Domino’s
5. CiCi’s Pizza

Washington-based Papa Murphy’s is unique in that it makes pizzas for customers to take home and bake themselves.

Best in Other Attributes
Best Food: Papa Murphy’s

Best Atmosphere and Friendliest Staff: Pizza Ranch

Best Value: Tie – Little Caesars and Papa Murphy’s

Highest Loyalty Card Awareness: Pizza Ranch

Highest Mobile App Adoption Rate: Papa Johns

Other Pizza Category Highlights

• 30% of those surveyed had visited a pizza chain at least five times in the previous 90 days.
• 23% of participants were accompanied by children on their most recent visit.

Mexican Fare

Customer Satisfaction
The survey from Market Force Information revealed the following rankings in Customer Satisfaction:

1. Tie – Chipotle and Qdoba
2. El Pollo Loco
3. Moe’s Southwest Grill
4. Del Taco

Both first place restaurants set themselves apart with a unique approach to food.

• Chipotle focuses on the use of natural ingredients.
• Qdoba focuses on diverse menu items including specialty burritos, soup and three-cheese queso sauce.

Best in Other Attributes
Best in Health Food: Chipotle

Best Atmosphere, Friendliest Staff and Fastest Service: Qdoba

Best Value: Del Taco

Highest Loyalty Card Awareness: Qdoba

Highest Mobile App Adoption Rate: Chipotle

Other Mexican Food Category Highlights

• 38% had visited a Mexican chain at least five times in the previous 90 days.
• 22% brought along children on their most recent visit.

Chicken

Customer Satisfaction
The survey from Market Force Information revealed the following rankings in Customer Satisfaction:

1. Chick-fil-A
2. Raising Cane’s
3. Zaxby’s
4. Wingstop

Best in Other Attributes
Best Food: Raising Cane’s

Fastest Service: Raising Cane’s

Best Atmosphere and Friendliest Staff: Chick-fil-A

Best Value: Chick-fil-A

Healthiest Food Options: Chick-fil-A, El Pollo Loco, Zaxby’s and Boston Market.

Highest Stomach Share: Raising Cane’s

Highest Loyalty Card Awareness: Raising Cane’s

Highest Mobile App Adoption: Wingstop

Other Chicken Category Highlights

• 38% had visited a chicken chain at least five times in the previous 90 days.
• 24% brought along children on their most recent visit.

Sandwiches

Customer Satisfaction
The survey from Market Force Information revealed the following rankings in Customer Satisfaction:

1. Jason’s Deli
2. Firehouse Subs

McAlister’s Deli, Jersey Mike’s and Panera Bread also fared well on the list.

Three c-store brands were included in the sandwich category this year. Wawa was the strongest c-store performer, as Market Force Information reported that the brand outperformed Subway and scored nearly as well as Jimmy John’s and McCalister’s Deli.

Best in Other Attributes
Best Food: Jason’s Deli

Best Value: Jason’s Deli

Best Atmosphere: Jason’s Deli

Friendliest Staff: Jason’s Deli

Fastest Service: Jimmy John’s

Highest Stomach Share: Wawa

Highest Loyalty Card Awareness: Panera

Highest Mobile App Adoption: Wawa

Other Sandwich Category Highlights

• 52% – higher than any other category – had visited a sandwich chain at least five times in the previous 90 days.
• 16% – the lowest of any other category – brought along children on their most recent visit.

Kiosks, Apps and Tablets – Oh Yes!
According to the study from Market Force Information consumers are beginning use technology to place orders and pay for them at QSRs and fast-casual restaurants more. The report shows that approximately half of consumers indicate having used some form of technology to place their food orders within the previous 90 days, with 20% using a smartphone app, 16% using a tablet at the table and 13% using a kiosk in the restaurant. Additionally, the study shows one in five (19%) diners had paid for their food using either a mobile app or digital wallet within the previous 90 days.