HuffPost Food has partnered with YouGov BrandIndex to determine the state of the dining industry in 2012, specifically as it pertains to the value and the quality of every major dining chain in America (that's 130 different chains). YouGov BrandIndex analyzed its voluminous polling data on consumer perceptions to find which American restaurant chains offer the best value and the highest quality in 2011 and 2012.
Perceptions of each metric were converted into scores that range from 100 to -100. The scores are compiled by subtracting negative feedback from positive. A zero score means equal positive and negative feedback. YouGov BrandIndex surveys 5,000 people each weekday from a representative U.S. population sample, which means more than 1.2 million interviews per year. This survey takes into account the general population of adults 18 and over.
Last week, we looked at the dining chains with the best value perception and the dining chains that gained the most in value perception in 2012. Today, we'll look at dining chains with the best quality perception and the dining chains which gained the most in quality perception in 2012. To determine quality score, the question asked to respondents was "Is it high quality or low quality?" The data was culled from polls conducted between Jan. 1, 2012 and Dec. 6, 2012.
On to the results!
1) The dining chains with the best quality perception in 2012.
Just as in the value survey, Subway also took the lead, but with less of a gap between first and second place (though nearly 10 points is nothing to scoff at).
2) The dining chains which gained the most in quality perception in 2012.
While the quality perception rating had some overlap with the value perception, this second measure -- the change in quality perception from 2011 to 2012 -- varied much more. Taco Bell is the only chain on the list that went from a negative score to a positive score and we have some theories why.
Take a look:
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.