They offer a fast-track to a heart attack.
While fast food depots aren’t exactly paragons of nutrition, some chains clog the arteries faster than others. As a service to diners, the World Atlas ranked the top 10 least healthy fast food chains in the US — finding that Wendy’s was the worst offender in this regard.
They pointed out that the square burger monger’s Triple Baconator meal with large fries and medium Frosty clocks in at a bout 2,160 calories — exceeding the daily intake threshold for both men and women.
The Post reached out to Wendy’s for comment.
The list comes as the US faces a rampant obesity epidemic. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of US adults — and approximately 19% of US children — are classified as obese.
The World Atlas placed the blame in part on fast food, claiming that “convenience often hides amounts of salt, sugar, and saturated fat.”
To pinpoint the worst offenders, the map compendium “reviewed nutrition data, menu gimmicks and marketing tactics at major chains.”
They found that the unhealthiest restaurants “routinely serve meals that can eclipse daily calorie limits in a single sitting while encouraging visits through bargain pricing and around-the-clock service.”
Clocking in first in this alleged artery-clogging olympiad was Wendy’s, whose rectangular burgers represent unhealthiness squared.
In fact, the chain’s Big Bacon Classic Triple — which has 86 grams of fat and 36 grams of saturated fat — was recently named the fourth unhealthiest fast food item on the planet by nutrition site Eat This, Not That!
The World Atlas added that “seasonal beasts” like the Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple eclipse 1,500 calories by themselves, while breakfast croissant combos, Biggie Bag bargains and late-night hours prompt frequent visits, per World Atlas.
Wendy’s reps dismissed notions that it’s a bastion of unhealthy eating.
“At Wendy’s, we’re proud to offer a diverse range of fresh, iconic menu options that can be customized to suit our fans’ unique lifestyles and preferences,” a spokesperson told the Post. From our fresh, never frozen beef and crisp, hand-prepared salads to baked potatoes, every item is crafted with high-quality ingredients. This commitment ensures that everyone can find something that meets their nutritional goals without compromising on flavor.”
Sonic placed second in this decathlon of “dietary damage.”
The World Atlas noted that a Sonic Cheeseburger combo with medium tots and 32-oz Cherry Limeade eclipses 1,600 calories and 3,000 mg of sodium, while a 44-oz Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Master Shake alone contains 1,720 calories and 48 teaspoons of sugar.
Coming in third was Taco Bell with their Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito packing a gut-busting 910 calories alone.
Rounding out the top five were Dairy Queen — whose honey BBQ chicken strip basket was named the unhealthiest item on the Eat This, Not That! countdown — and fried chicken purveyor KFC.
Notably, Chick-fil-A — which was recently named the number one fast food chain for customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) — only placed 10th on the countdown.
However, World Atlas gave the white meat merchant an extra demerit for masking “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,” they declared. “The chain dialed back its ‘No Antibiotics Ever’ pledge in 2024, though its 2026 cage-free-egg goal remains.”
World Atlas added, “With 3,200-plus U.S. outlets and drive-throughs generating 60% of sales, Chick-fil-A encourages frequent, on-the-go indulgence nationwide.”
Even so-called healthy items were nutritional Trojan Horses, per WA, which noted that the chain’s Cobb Salad contained 830 calories.
Here are the 10 least healthy fast food chains
- Wendy’s
- Sonic
- Taco Bell
- Dairy Queen
- KFC
- Quiznos
- McDonald’s
- Smashburger
- Little Caesars
- Chik-fil-A
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