Consumer Trends

Which restaurant brands are the most admired?

A Forbes ranking, plus Technomic consumer data, reveal which companies have the best reputation.
Photograph: Shutterstock

Just two restaurant brands made the 2019 list of the world’s most admired companies from Forbes magazine.

The highest-ranking restaurant company is coffee giant Starbucks, at No. 5, followed by McDonald’s at No. 37.

Technology brand Apple nabbed the top spot on the list, which was compiled by surveying 3,750 executives, analysts and other experts to discover which companies are most respected.

The Forbes ranking considers a host of factors, including innovation, people management, social responsibility and global competitiveness.

Consumers, however, have different ideas than industry experts when it comes to brand reputation.

In-N-Out Burger had the highest overall reputation scores among restaurant brands in 2018, according to Technomic Ignite consumer data.

Data from Restaurant Business’ sister company Technomic factors in a brand’s trustworthiness, likeability and reputation. The other chains on Technomic's top 10 list are:

2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House

3. Chick-fil-A

4. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

5. Pappasito’s Cantina

6. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

7. Seasons 52

8. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

9. The Capital Grille

10. Ben & Jerry’s

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