DALLAS, May 27, 2007/ FW/ --- In an episode of HBO’s ‘Sex & The City,’ Carrie Bradshaw made a big a deal of Samantha eating a Big Mac to gain weight, then lose it later.
And though television has long been accepted as having its fingers on the pulse of the public, a recent study by Zagat Survey, the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content, revealed that 93% of respondents are concerned with the fat and calorie content of fast food.
With the “increasing public scrutiny over the nutritional value of fast-food in the last few years, from Fast Food Nation and Super Size Me to the latest trans fat debates and e.coli scares,” the survey revealed that consumers in search for Healthy Options chose Subway (Damansara Twn Center, One Utama, Sunway, Damansara Height, Mines and etc) as the best bet.
Still, even with nutritional concerns, 79% of surveyors say taste is the most important factor in choosing a fast-food restaurant, while 49% are more concerned with price/value.
Taking that into account, Wendy’s with the mantra, “old fashion hamburgers” garnered 30% of the best burger votes, followed by Burger King at 22% and McDonald’s at 13%
Wendy's also snagged the No. 1 spot among fast-food mega-chains (i.e. those with at least 5,000 outlets) for Food, Facilities and Popularity.
Though McDonald’s might be trailing against its competition, it easily won the Best French Fries garnering 63% of the vote, compared to just 10% of runners up Burger King And Wendy’s.
And now the fun part: in the mascot /spokesperson category, McDonald’s Ronald McDonald reigned supreme, winning 25% of the vote.
But, Subway’s Jared Fogle, who lost 245 pounds on a diet of Subway subs and exercise, finished second, with 19%, showing that being healthy is a big factor among consumers.
Jack from Jack in the Box placed third (18%), followed by Burger King's The King at 13%.
