The Worst American Fast Food Chains You Should Never Visit Again

So much of American fast food is about excess. Bigger portions, bigger drinks, and lots of carbs and fats. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which chain to choose. But as with everything, there are some spots that are better than others. We've all heard the rumors about McDonald's being bad for you and Chick-Fil-A being healthy alternatives (though both have their risks). So let's take a look at some of the worst fast food chains out there today and why they need to go.

Burger King

Burger King is one of the worst fast food chains in America for one reason: It's not a real burger joint. Sure, it might be the home of the Whopper, but it's also the home of the worst burgers in the country. In fact, an investigation by BuzzFeed revealed that BK's burgers are made with a combination of salt and paper. Yep, that's right: Paper. BK has also been criticized for its fatty food options, including the BK Broiler Chicken Sandwich and Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxe. These are really the only two options for non-vegetarians as BK's vegetarian menu is even worse than its meat menu. There's a reason Burger King is associated with the childhood phrase “there's always room for more.”

KFC

When it comes to the worst fast food chains in America, KFC is up there. We're not saying that KFC is bad for you. After all, fried chicken is a staple of Southern cuisine. But most KFC locations are just poorly managed, unclean places that you're better off skipping. The quality of KFC's food is up for debate, with some saying that it's still great and others claiming that it's just an uninspired mass-produced menu. Its menu is also full of calories, carbs, and unhealthy fats. KFC also has a long history of animal cruelty, including a recent scandal in which the company was found to be abusing chickens.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell is known for serving cheap food full of empty calories, and it's also one of the unhealthiest chains out there. You can get an entire meal under 500 calories at most major fast food chains, but you won't find anything that low at Taco Bell. And the weird part is that it's the same at every Taco Bell. You can go to a Taco Bell in Austin, Texas, or one in Atlanta, Georgia, and you'll get the same gross food. Whether you're in New York City or New Orleans, you'll find the same menu. This is a chain that has attempted to sell a taco shell made of Doritos, so you know it's not all that creative.

Domino's Pizza

Thanks in large part to its awful marketing strategy, Domino's Pizza is one of the worst fast food chains in America. The chain is constantly releasing new options that are barely even pizza. It's like a marketing manager was sitting around thinking about what Americans like and came up with the most American food ever: Pizza. Then, he probably thought about all the other things Americans like and came up with some strange menu items. The chain's marketing is so over-the-top that you can't even trust the nutritional value of the menu items. It's not uncommon for Domino's to add or remove items from the menu, but they don't always update the nutritional information. Domino's has also been accused of skimping out on toppings, so you may get less cheese than you were expecting.

Sonic

We know what you're thinking: How can a chain that specializes in burgers and shakes be one of the worst fast food chains in America? The answer is that Sonic doesn't specialize in burgers and shakes. It specializes in mediocre food in large portions. Sonic has one of the worst menus among major chains. It's high in calories and carbs, and low in protein and fiber. You can get a foot-long chili cheese dog and drink for less than $5, but you get what you pay for. Sonic is also very low on vegetarian and vegan options, and it has been criticized for its uncleanliness. You can get a burger at almost any restaurant, but you can't get carhop service anywhere else.

Wendy's

For years, Wendy's has been the “healthy” alternative to places like McDonald's and Burger King. There's nothing wrong with eating at Wendy's, but to think that it's a health food chain is absurd. The biggest issue with Wendy's is that it's not creative. The chain has been selling a similar menu for years. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's also boring. It's also a chain that is often dishonest, like when it claimed that its chicken was never frozen. If a place is frozen, it's frozen. There's also a major issue with cleanliness at some Wendy's locations.

The Bottom Line

When you're deciding which fast food chains are the worst in America, remember that it's not just about the food. It's also about the culture of the restaurant and how it treats its customers. These are places that you may want to avoid, whether you're a vegetarian or not. That being said, there are simple ways to keep your diet healthy while still indulging in the occasional fast food meal. Be careful with portion sizes and make smart choices when you're at the drive-thru.