Report: Smoothie King, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A among QSR customer experience leaders

Smoothie King climbed from sixth place last year to lead the CX Metrics rankings this year.

Several quick-serve restaurant chains are excelling when it comes to customer experience and loyalty, according to a new report.

Market Force Information’s new 2025 Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) Industry Study revealed that Smoothie King climbed from sixth place last year to lead the CX Metrics rankings this year, driven by “improvements in speed, beverage quality and cleanliness.” 

In another metric, In-N-Out topped the overall Customer Loyalty Index (CLI) in 2025, and reclaimed leadership in the burger category with strong brand trust and consistently high experience scores. 

Chick-fil-A remained a customer favorite in the chicken category, holding a top position for the second year in a row with continued excellence in friendliness, cleanliness and overall operational execution. This year, Slim Chickens made a standout debut, tying with Chick-fil-A in CX Metrics rankings.