KFC is Australia’s favourite quick service restaurants (QSRs) because 76% say it has the best tasting hot chips, according to research from insights consultancy Nature has found
Red Rooster is second at 67%, followed by Grill’d at 65%.
Great tasting chips is one of the main drivers of brand love for QSRs among Australians, who value food offering, value for money and in-store ambience in the brands they love.
On average, Australians spend twice as much at restaurants they love, equating to $90 per customer every six months.
James Jayesuria, Nature partner and managing director, Sydney, said this study was one close to his heart and his taste buds.
"Cultural significance of hot chips aside, it shows that a quality overall food offering is what makes a good casual dining restaurant great and, of course, chips are a key element of that," Jayesuria said.
“The fact that people are willing to spend double on places they love to eat at means there’s distinct value for brands that can listen to the Australian people and make good on what keeps them coming back to – or ordering from – fast-food restaurants.”
Good value for money was the second highest driver of brand love among QSRs (after a good overall food offering), with Hungry Jack’s having the best value for money according to 61% of people surveyed, closely followed by KFC and McDonald’s, both at 60%.
Guzman y Gomez and Red Rooster sat in the middle, with customers rating them at 52% in terms of good value for money.
In-store ambience was also high on the value chain, with 58% of Australians declaring Grill’d as having the best dine-in experience, ahead of Betty’s Burgers (55%) and McDonald’s (54%).
In terms of share of spend, McDonald’s dominate the Australian QSR market at 54%, followed by KFC at 22% and Hungry Jack’s at 12%. Far more Australians spend with McDonald’s due to its convenience and range of food options, which rated higher than any other QSR.
Mikayla Samuels, Nature associate director, said in light of current cost of living pressures, there is a clear opportunity for some brands to capitalise on ‘the lipstick effect’.
"People may not be able to afford to dine at high-end restaurants right now, but they still want little luxuries like a delicious dinner out or a tasty food delivery, a need that many brands can fill," Samuels said.
“To increase their share of QSR spending, brands should focus on growing the proportion of customers who love the brand and are therefore willing to spend more with them.”
The research was conducted in May 2023. Survey responses and historic QSR transactions from 750 people across Australia were analysed, via Fonto.
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