It’s no secret Americans love to eat out. According to US Foods, most Americans eat out 2-3 times per month and almost half prefer a casual dining experience. As a result, chain restaurants are incredibly popular in the US. Some however are better than others. Here we rank the 7 worst chain restaurants to eat at in 2023.
1. Golden Corral
What used to be America’s #1 buffet restaurant, Golden Corral has fallen from favor. While the value and variety are good, most diners say that food is subpar. Other reviewers complain about the service and cleanliness of their local chains. Overall, Golden Corral has 2.8 stars on Yelp.
2. Red Lobster
The only really good thing about Red Lobster is their cheddar biscuits. Everything else on the menu is not worth it. This year, the chain closed 99 locations across 28 states. The company filed for bankruptcy earlier in the year. There is a turnaround plan for some locations. The good news is you can still get the biscuit mix at the supermarket.
3. Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings is not worth the hype. Frankly, it’s overpriced for what you get. There are far better wing chains to choose from. Sure, it may be a good spot to watch a game, but the food just isn’t great. Buffalo Wild Wings has a 2.9-star rating on TripAdvisor.
4. IHOP
IHOP used to be the place to get breakfast. Waffle House has definitely become more popular than IHOP in recent years. Maybe it’s because IHOP is now much more expensive. Some diners complain about cleanliness and service. For the most part, reviews on Yelp say that the food is hot and classic.
5. TGI Friday’s
TGI Friday’s used to be an American classic. Friday’s was the first bar that advertised to women in 1965. Founder Alan Stillman wanted to create a bar where the sexes could mingle when he purchased a bar on the Upper East Side of New York City. TGI Friday’s was born. The chain became more of a casual family restaurant than a place to meet singles. Over the years, the quality of the food has suffered. Some Friday’s chains have an average Yelp review of 1.9 stars. Reviewers call the food inedible and complain about restaurant cleanliness.
6. Applebee’s
Applebee’s the neighborhood grill and bar has become a has-been. When did 2 for $20 become 2 for $26? Yelp diners give some locations 2.6 stars. Most complain about cold and less than tasty food. It’s apparent that the Applebee’s of many of our childhoods is no longer.
7. The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory used to be all the hype. But really who needs a menu that long? Most of the food at the Cheesecake Factory is overpriced and not that good. The service can be very slow, especially if it’s busy. We won’t knock the cheesecake though.
Dying Chain Restaurants
Unfortunately, many of America’s favorite chain restaurants just aren’t that good anymore. Maybe it’s because of an insurgence of farm-to-table and scratch kitchens. Perhaps fast food has just gotten better and has more variety. Whatever the reason, these 7 chain restaurants are no longer on our go-to list. Do you agree? What’s the worst chain restaurant you’ve been to recently?