10 of the Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Restaurants in the US

• 19.7% of U.S. children ages 2-19 are classified as obese.
• A large OREO Blizzard at Dairy Queen contains about 1050 calories and 39 g of fat.
• Excess calories, fat, sodium, and added sugar in fast-food meals contribute to higher risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Americans eat out more than ever, but convenience often hides amounts of salt, sugar, and saturated fat. To spotlight the worst offenders in the US, we reviewed nutrition data, menu gimmicks and marketing tactics at major chains. The ten restaurants below routinely serve meals that can eclipse daily calorie limits in a single sitting while encouraging visits through bargain pricing and around-the-clock service. Here’s why each earns a place on our unhealthiest list.

10. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A masks calorie-dense fried-chicken fare behind a wholesome image. An "original chicken sandwich" with medium waffle fries delivers ~ 750 mg sodium, about one-third of a day's limit, and 800 calories, while sugary lemonade and milkshakes push totals sky-high. The chain dialed back its "No Antibiotics Ever" pledge in 2024, though its 2026 cage-free-egg goal remains. With 3,200-plus U.S. outlets and drive-throughs generating 60% of sales, Chick-fil-A encourages frequent, on-the-go indulgence nationwide.

9. Little Caesars

Little Caesars built its "Pizza! Pizza!" empire on ultra-cheap, ultra-caloric pies. A $5 Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza packs about 2,140 calories and 4,260 mg sodium, plus a day's saturated fat, yet it's marketed as an everyday meal. Bacon-Wrapped Deep! Deep! Dish, Crazy Bread and sugary dips pile on refined carbs and additives. Backed by NFL sponsorships and 5,000 U.S. outlets, Little Caesars normalizes oversized, nutrient-poor portions at rock-bottom prices.

8. Smashburger

Smashburger's "better-burger" image hides waist-expanding plates. One large BBQ Bacon Cheddar burger supplies 1,050 calories and 28 g saturated fat; an Oreo shake adds 930 calories. Rosemary-oil Smash Fries, fried pickles and tater tots drive sodium sky-high. With 200-plus U.S. stores, craft-beer pairings and fast-casual hype, Smashburger promotes indulgent eating disguised as gourmet dining.

7. McDonald's

McDonald's 40,000-plus restaurants normalize high-calorie fast food worldwide. A Big Mac meal with large fries and soda tops 1,300 calories and half a day's saturated fat; a Double Quarter Pounder combo can hit 2,000. Deep-fried hash browns, McFlurries and oversized sodas add sugar and sodium. Although the chain removed artificial trans fat years ago, child-targeted ads, $5 bundles and 24-hour drive-throughs keep frequent consumption effortless.

6. Quiznos

Quiznos toasts its subs and diners' arteries. A 12-inch Classic Italian runs about 1,300 calories and 2,850 mg sodium before chips, cookies or soda. Limited-time monsters like the Chipotle Steak & Guac top 1,700 calories. Meal deals push totals near 2,500 calories. With roughly 145 U.S. stores (≈ 330 worldwide), Quiznos still champions portion-bloated indulgence.

5. KFC

KFC's buckets deliver calorie, fat and sodium bombs disguised as comfort food. A three-piece Extra Crispy combo with biscuit and mashed-potato gravy hits ~1,300 calories, 2,900 mg sodium and 22 g saturated fat,before a soda or 540-calorie Famous Bowl. The periodic Double Down (610 calories) paired with fries and a drink pushes a meal to about 1,450 calories. With 30,000 locations and constant value buckets, KFC makes deep-fried indulgence a family staple.

4. Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen hides diner-style excess beneath an ice-cream façade. A medium Oreo Blizzard contains 1,080 calories and 44 g fat; the six-piece Chicken Strip Basket with gravy and fries adds 1,300 calories, 2,400 mg sodium and 21 g saturated fat. Texas-size Hungr-Buster burgers, foot-long chili dogs and fried cheese curds push meals past 2,500 calories. "Fan Food" slogans, free-refill sodas and monthly Blizzard drops encourage routine dessert binges.

3. Taco Bell

Taco Bell turns Tex-Mex mash-ups into salt-soaked calorie loads. A Beefy 5-Layer Burrito plus Baja Blast reaches 970 calories and 1,770 mg sodium. The Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito packs 910 calories alone. A Crunchwrap Supreme combo (Crunchwrap, fries and 20-oz soda) lands around 1,140 calories. Cheap $5 Cravings Boxes and late-night "Fourthmeal" ads normalize 1 a.m. binges of refined carbs and cheese-laden fare.

2. Sonic

Sonic Drive-In turns retro carhop fun into dietary damage. A Sonic Cheeseburger combo with medium tots and 32-oz Cherry Limeade tops 1,600 calories and 3,000 mg sodium, while a 44-oz Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Master Shake alone delivers 1,720 calories and 48 teaspoons of sugar. Chili Cheese Coneys, Footlong Quarter-Pound dogs and "Sonic Blast" candy shakes add saturated-fat overload. Half-price-drink happy hours make grazing easy.

1. Wendy's

Wendy's square burgers and Frosty desserts create a caloric minefield. A Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty hits about 2,160 calories, 54 g saturated fat and 3,400 mg sodium, exceeding most daily limits in one sitting. Seasonal beasts like the Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple top 1,500 calories by themselves. Breakfast croissant combos, Biggie Bag bargains and late-night hours foster oversized, frequent visits, landing Wendy's firmly atop America's most waist-widening, heart-straining chains.