Chick-fil-A vs McDonald’s: Which is Better? (Updated)

Last Updated on September 15, 2024 by Shari Mason

Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s reign supreme in the fast food realm, like the kings of a delicious kingdom.

These fast-food giants have been competing for years, each with their distinctive approach to offering delicious and reasonably priced meals. 

In the Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald’s battle, deciding which chain reigns supreme is hard. Let’s compare the two brands on various aspects, such as taste, nutrition, price, and customer satisfaction.

Comparing McDonald’s & Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Restaurants

Using lighthearted advertising campaigns, Chick-fil-A has built its brand image around its corporate values and customer service, as seen in its iconic “Eat Mor Chikin” signs.

McDonald’s is a quick-service restaurant that heavily relies on its iconic branding and advertising, primarily through TV commercials and sponsorships.

“A quickly growing Chick-Fil-A might threaten some of the other players in the fast-food restaurant industry over the coming years.”

– Gregory Francfort , Lead Restaurant Analyst at Guggenheim Partners

The target audience of these two fast food chains is different. 

Chick-fil-A prioritizes customer service and hospitality, which are publicly displayed in their restaurants all over the world. McDonald’s focuses on affordability and convenience.

Main Differences 

Popularity

Although McDonald’s has a larger market share and better brand recognition than Chick-fil-A, the latter has a loyal customer base and a reputation for quality and service. 

McDonald’s started as a small restaurant in 1940, serving classic burgers and fries. It quickly gained popularity and became a global franchise in 1955, introducing the fast food restaurant idea to many countries. 

In contrast, Chick-fil-A began as a diner in 1946, specializing in whole breast meat chicken sandwiches and mainly focusing on the US and Canada. 

Menu Offerings

Breakfast Items

Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s have distinct specialties when it comes to breakfast items. The former’s breakfast menu centers on chicken-based options such as chicken biscuits and minis. 

Also, the latter is known for its iconic sausage, eggs, bacon, chicken nuggets, and McMuffin sandwiches.  

The two have expanded their breakfast offerings to include more options like a breakfast burrito and hash brown, catering to those seeking a quick and satisfying morning grub.

Burgers and Chicken Sandwich

Chick-fil-A stands out with its chicken-focused menu, offering a vast range of chicken sandwich options, including deluxe, spicy, and grilled chicken sandwiches paired perfectly with their famous waffle fries. 

In contrast, McDonald’s specializes in beef burgers like the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder Cheese Burger and their signature french fries.

Kid’s Meal

McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A have a curated menu for kids, setting them apart from other fast-food restaurants. 

McDonald’s takes the lead regarding the overall Happy Meal experience. Their Happy Meal includes a toy, providing children with a complete and satisfying experience. 

In contrast, Chick-fil-A provides books with their kids’ meals, which is not as exciting for kids. 

Treats

McDonald’s offers a variety of desserts, such as ice cream cones, apple slices, sundaes, pies, cookies, and a fruit cup. 

Chick-fil-A has fewer choices, but they are known for their signature hand-spun milkshakes and chocolate chunk cookies.

Secret Menu

Chick-fil-A wins because it has a more diverse selection of secret menu items that customers can try, such as the Spicy Char served with Chick-fil-A sauce, fried chicken club, and cheese biscuit. 

On the other hand, McDonald’s only appears to have one popular item on their secret menu: the All-American Burger.

Check out the distinction between Jimmy John’s and Subway here.

Price Point

When comparing prices, it’s clear that McDonald’s offers a better deal for combo meals, with an average cost of $7.50, compared to Chick-fil-A’s average of $8.50 [1]. 

McDonald’s also offers a dollar menu, where customers can purchase items for as low as $1, making it a better option overall.

Food Quality 

Based on our personal experience, Chick-fil-A’s food quality was better than McDonald’s. Chick-fil-A uses fresh ingredients and prepares them on-site while maintaining strict quality standards. 

However, at McDonald’s, we noticed they rely more on frozen and processed food, which may affect its taste and freshness.

Dining Experience & Services

We like that McDonald’s has a self-serve system that offers several options- from dine in, take out, drive-thru, to order delivery. 

On the other hand, when we visited Chick-fil-A, we saw that they prioritize the customer experience. 

Their team members take orders from customers and provide table service. Like McDonald’s, they also offer drive-thru, delivery, and take-out options.

Location

McDonald’s has more business locations than Chick-fil-A, with over 14,000 locations in the US. It is present in all 50 states and most major cities.

Chick-fil-A has about 2,600 locations in 47 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, including many with drive-thrus. In addition, it is expanding into new markets like New York and California.

Chick Fil A vs. McDonald’s Net Worth

McDonald’s leads by a huge margin when it comes to net worth. As of 2021, Forbes estimated McDonald’s net worth to be $163.7 billion, compared to $11 billion of Chick-fil-A. 

This difference can be attributed to the latter’s larger scale of operations, with over 38,000 locations worldwide, compared to the former’s approximately 2,600 locations.

Also Read: How Does Jimmy John’s Differ From Jersey Mike’s?

FAQs 

Final Verdict

After comparing the two restaurants on various criteria such as taste, quality, service, and value, we have reached a final verdict: Chick-fil-A is better than McDonald’s. 

Its fresh and tasty chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets, and salads make for a better and more consistent experience, unlike McDonald’s, which has a more diverse but less reliable menu that often fails to deliver on its promises.

Most people rave about its customer service, making every visit enjoyable and convenient. However, McDonald’s service can vary widely depending on its location. 

Reference:

1. https://www.numbeo.com/food-prices/country_result.jsp?country=United+States
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciakelso/2021/03/01/how-mcdonalds-new-chief-global-impact-officer-plans-to-execute-the-companys-refreshed-purpose/