7 Fast-Food Chains Customers Say Have Gone Downhill
Everyone knows that very few things in life stay the same forever. However, one topic of conversation that regularly comes up in Reddit feeds and on various social media platforms is the decline of food in various forms, from restaurants and fast food to grocery store finds. And, of the bunch, fast food brands tend to get the worst reputation for declining quality. Which ones are the most griped about? Here are 7 fast-food chains customers claim have gone downhill.
Subway
I still love eating a footlong turkey sub with all the same toppings I got from the mall food court when I was a kid. However, loads of customers gripe that the sandwich chain isn’t what it was decades ago. The sub shop “changed the quality of their bread and chicken. It’s not just being used to it or not, the food itself has changed,” someone said. “I refuse to even walk into Subway. I don’t want to smell like weird, fake bread all day,” one writes.
Panera
Lots of people complain that Panera’s quality has gone down in a major way. “Panera recently fired all of their bakers and workers at their dough facilities in favor of having the cashiers bake frozen product. So prepare for a nosedive in quality coming to your local Panera soon,” one Redditor wrote. “My Panera already did a nosedive in quality!” wrote another. “Ordered Panera pick up one day for a fast dinner for us and my husband’s parents. They go pick it up, come back, and it’s missing every baguette, an entire sandwich, my fruit cup, and a croissant,” added another.
Jack in the Box
Several fast food brand, including Jack in the Box, have been accused of shrinkflation. “Jack in the box been Stuffing my tacos with lettuce and giving me meat scrapings. Like wtf is going on,” one person said.
Wendy’s
One of the biggest complaints people have about Wendy’s is that it is no longer fast food. “I went to a Wendy’s a few months ago for the first time in a while. It took me about 45 min to get my food, there were two people ahead of me. Idk what happened in there that day, but I haven’t been back,” one person said. Price is also a concern. “I got Wendy’s on a road trip a few months ago and I couldn’t believe the price. I actually thought it was a mistake at first,” someone said.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is another chain that gets a lot gripes, from food quality to service. “McDonald’s changed from lard cooked fries to oil cooked fries due to health concerns at one point, which made them taste different,” one noted. “Last two times I went to McDonalds it took probably 20 minutes each time. I actually went to a different one the second time thinking it was my bad for going to one that was always slow. Nope, same thing. I just wanted a sausage egg McMuffin. It’s just not worth the price + wait to me anymore,” another added.
Burger King
Shrinkflation has also been a complain at Burger King. “Recently got chicken fries from BK in a pinch and it was actually alarming how they are quite literally 40-50% smaller in scale than they were originally, still served in the same box and they hardly come halfway up the thing lol,” one pointed out.
Carl’s Jr.
And, of course, the price of fast food is not what it used to be. Carl’s Jr. has been repeatedly raked through the coals for its prices. “I just went to CJs last night and it was sad. I got a Superstar (double famous now), the Ghost burger single patty, criss cuts, and onion rings. Asked for 4 sides of Santa Fe sauce and it was $30!!!!” writes one, who maintains the burgers weren’t great, “Santa Fe sauce is slime now and they filled the sauce cups less than a quarter! I’ve been there before and it was the same garbage experience. Onion rings were disgusting and hard. I’m done with Carl’s Jr.”