Top 10 Unhealthiest Fast Food Chains In America

Top 10 Unhealthiest American Fast Food Chains

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the least nutritious restaurants in the United States. Keep in mind, we’re only judging the health benefits here, not how tasty the food is.

#10: Burger King

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up in the morning, you’re better off looking somewhere else. Don’t worry, there is some good news. Reportedly, most of the King’s traditional menu items - yes, even including the Whopper - aren’t too bad for you. Their breakfast, though? That’s a different story. As it turns out, Burger King’s early-morning offerings can easily eat up over half of your recommended caloric intake for the whole day. And don’t even get us started on all those carbs. Burger King’s hash browns may look good, but they’re not quite what you’d call a “well-balanced breakfast,” that’s for sure.

#9: Kentucky Fried Chicken

In order to stay finger-licking-good, KFC loads their entrees with tons of saturated fat, including a mind-boggling amount of sodium. That’s all without even mentioning their sides. The biscuit that’s been buttered to infinity and beyond? How about a serving of over-seasoned french fries? Might as well wash it all down with a sugary soft drink, too. Heck, you can even order a chocolate chip cake for dessert. For what it’s worth, KFC at least offers healthier, grilled alternatives to their chicken. Or, they did, until they discontinued it in favor of more fried goodness. At this point, it’s clear that nutrition is not KFC’s priority.

#8: Dairy Queen

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that a chain primarily selling soft-serve isn’t the industry’s shining beacon of health and wellness. Although, Blizzards and their thousands of calories aren’t the only ones to blame. Dairy Queen’s hot food isn’t too easy on the waistline, either. We’re talking about lots and lots of fat content. Then again, what else would you expect from a platter of burgers, tenders, and fries? Oh, and heaven forbid you get their ice cream for dessert. Let’s just say that, based on the health info alone, a meal like that is supposed to last you days. Not hours.

#7: Chick-fil-A

Given their name, it’s only fitting that Chick-fil-A’s meat products are relatively nutritious. Especially if you order them grilled. The real issue, then, is all the junk served around it. To put it into perspective, a single side of waffle fries is about as many calories as an entire chicken sandwich. The Mac & Cheese is even worse. And yet, both of those pale in comparison to the true culprit: their signature Chick-fil-A sauce. It’s a metric ton of fat and sodium packaged into one, rectangular calorie sink. All that, for a single packet. And, let’s be real, who has the willpower to stop at just one?

#6: Quiznos

They’re just sandwiches, how bad could they really be? Turns out, the answer is really, really bad. As they say, numbers don’t lie, and several items on Quiznos’ menu have significantly more calories than any reasonable sandwich should. It seems like even their tamest dishes have some sort of special sauce or creamy garnish on top. Usually, chalked full of nasty fats. The lack of nutritional value is particularly glaring when you compare them to the healthier offerings at competing sub chains. Unable to lower their costs or calories, it’s not too shocking Quiznos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014.

#5: Arby’s

Arbys; they have the meats. And also the trans fat. And the cholesterol. And the salt. Honestly, it might just be faster to list what health risks they don’t have. Spoiler: there’s not many. Alongside a distinct lack of fruits and vegetables, Arby’s fried foods are packed with a seemingly never-ending amount of grease and oil. For example, an order of mozzarella sticks takes up your daily allotment of salt right then and there. And that’s just a side! Combine that with a roast beef sandwich and an apple turnover, and you’re looking at a whole lot of extra calories.

#4: Whataburger

This is a classic case of good news; bad news. The good news is that, in 2023, Whataburger’s classic cheeseburger ranked as one of the healthiest fast-food burgers in America. The bad news? Throw on some condiments, order a side of fries, and that data changes dramatically. Almost every single one of Whataburger’s sides has a sky-high amount of saturated fat and sodium. Don’t think ordering a salad saves you, either. Since Whataburger’s Cobb Salad comes with spicy chicken, it’s about as nutritious as a classic order of tenders. Whether it’s added sauces, sneaky fats, or large portions, Whataburger always finds a way to load up its dishes.

#3: Carl’s Jr.

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but at this fast-food restaurant, it’s also the most detrimental. Frankly, it’s not even close. The standard, unaltered Breakfast Burger from “Carl’s Jr.” has an absolutely astronomical amount of fat. Some of it is saturated fat, some of it is trans fat, but none of it is good for you. Unfortunately, that’s just the tip of the bun when it comes to “Carl’s Jr.” That’s right, somehow, it’s equally unhealthy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! From the Jalapeno Burger to the Breakfast Burrito, nothing at “Carl’s Jr.” is safe from the dreaded threat of fat content.

#2: Wendy’s

When it comes to “Wendy’s,” the danger you see isn’t as harmful as the danger you don’t. There’s still the usual suspects like the Baconator or the Frosty, and while they’re not healthy by any stretch of the word, that’s simply par for the course on this menu. Even the most innocent-seeming items have their caveats, like the Apple Pecan Salad including a whopping nineteen grams of sugar. And yet, everything else is so greasy, that salad is still one of the healthier options. It doesn’t help that “Wendy’s” also has very enticing prices. Their cheap deals like the five-dollar Biggie Bag ensure that your wallet stays thicker, but so do you.

#1: Sonic Drive-In

Burgers, tots, dogs, shakes - take your pick, they’re all risky in their own special ways. As if to prove it, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything on Sonic’s whole menu that isn’t soaked in saturated fat. That’s no hyperbole. Over the years, several health investigations reported that Sonic burgers just straight up have more fat than their fast-food competitors. If that’s any indication, we don’t even want to know how their greasy sides and massive milkshakes stack up. The writing’s on the wall, either way. If you’re on a diet, Sonic is the very last place you want to go.

Has this list turned you off any of your fast-food faves? Let us know in the comments below!