11 Chains You Should Never Order Takeout From

Customers and delivery drivers warn against these restaurants for poor takeout experiences.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A new report highlights 11 major fast-food chains that consistently disappoint customers when it comes to takeout orders. Issues like long wait times, incorrect orders, and poor food quality have led many to avoid ordering delivery from these restaurants, with some chains even being blacklisted by delivery drivers. The article examines customer complaints and driver feedback to determine which chains, including Wendy's, McDonald's, KFC, Five Guys, and Chipotle, are the worst offenders for subpar takeout experiences.

Why it matters

Takeout has become an increasingly popular and convenient option for many people, especially during the pandemic. However, this report shows that not all restaurant chains are able to provide a satisfactory takeout experience, leading to wasted time, money, and frustration for customers. Understanding which chains to avoid for delivery can help people make more informed decisions about their takeout orders.

The details

The article cites numerous customer complaints on platforms like Reddit and review sites about issues like long wait times, incorrect orders, cold or low-quality food, and poor customer service when ordering takeout from these 11 chains. Delivery drivers have also expressed frustration with certain restaurants, often avoiding or rejecting orders from chains like Wendy's, McDonald's, KFC, and Popeyes due to the challenges they face in getting orders fulfilled and delivered in a timely manner. The report suggests that for the best experience, customers may be better off dining in at these restaurants rather than relying on takeout or delivery.

  • The article was published on February 14, 2026.
  • It references a lawsuit against Popeyes in Canada that occurred in 2025.

The players

Wendy's

A major American fast-food restaurant chain with nearly 6,000 locations in the U.S.

McDonald's

The largest fast-food chain in the world, with nearly 14,000 restaurants across the United States.

KFC

An American fast-food restaurant chain specializing in fried chicken, with more than 4,000 locations in the U.S.

Five Guys

A popular American fast-casual restaurant chain known for its burgers and fries, with over 1,500 locations in the U.S.

Wingstop

A fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in chicken wings, with over 2,300 locations in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This report highlights the growing challenges that some major restaurant chains face in providing a consistently positive takeout experience for customers. While convenience and speed are key factors driving the popularity of food delivery, the findings suggest that for certain chains, the quality and reliability of the takeout experience may not be meeting customer expectations. Understanding which restaurants to avoid for delivery can help people make more informed decisions about their dining options.