When it comes to grabbing a quick bite, Americans have spoken — and McDonald's is still the king of fast food.

A new report from market research and data analytics firm YouGov surveyed 48,400 consumers to find out which fast-food chains people are most likely to choose when hunger strikes. The results, compiled for the company's annual "Best Bites" report for 2026, reveal that while diners appreciate quality and value, convenience remains a major factor in deciding where to eat.

Participants were surveyed between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, and were asked a simple question: "When you are in the market to purchase food or drink, from which of the following would you consider purchasing?"

The answer? Nearly 40% of respondents (39.6%) said they would choose McDonald's for their next fast-food meal.

Coming in behind the Golden Arches were:

• Chick-fil-A – 35.5%
• Wendy's – 33.2%
• Burger King – 31.6%
• Taco Bell – 31.2%

While McDonald's claimed the overall top spot, it didn't dominate every category.

In a separate survey of 11,600 consumers, YouGov asked diners which chains offered the best quality and value. Chick-fil-A earned top honors for quality, while Wendy's was recognized as the best value in fast food.

So why did McDonald's still come out on top?

According to Ashley Brown, senior director at YouGov America and one of the report's lead researchers, the secret isn't just low prices.

"The winning formula is not just low prices. It is clear value, reliable quality, and the right kind of convenience for each audience," Brown explained.

She added that McDonald's strength lies in its accessibility and familiarity. Even if other chains score higher in areas like customer satisfaction or perceived quality, McDonald's remains the easiest choice for many consumers because it's fast, convenient, widely available, and generally seen as a good value.

And let's not forget one of the chain's most iconic menu items: its fries.

According to the report, McDonald's won the title for America's favorite fast-food fries by a landslide. Nearly 40% of respondents (39.2%) picked McDonald's fries as their favorite, while Five Guys, which finished in second place, received just 9% of the vote.

McDonald's also cracked YouGov's list of favorite fast-food burgers, landing in the No. 5 spot.

The results suggest that while consumers may seek out Chick-fil-A for quality or Wendy's for value, McDonald's continues to win where it matters most: being a dependable, familiar option that's never too far away.

Whether you're stopping in for a Big Mac, a basket of fries, or a quick breakfast sandwich on the way to work, America's love affair with McDonald's doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles: Where to Watch, Celebrate, and Score Official Gear

The wait is finally over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and Los Angeles is gearing up to be one of the tournament's biggest hotspots.

The expanded tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, officially kicks off Thursday after years of anticipation. The U.S. will host 78 matches, with eight of those games taking place at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium, which FIFA has temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium for the duration of the competition.

Mexico opened the tournament Thursday against South Africa in Mexico City, while Team USA takes the field Friday night in its first match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.

Whether you managed to snag tickets or you're planning to soak in the atmosphere with fellow fans, there are plenty of ways to experience World Cup fever throughout Southern California.

World Cup Watch Parties Around Los Angeles

Eastwood Los Angeles

611 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles
Dates: June 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 24, and 25

This Koreatown favorite is teaming up with 4x4 to host free game screenings throughout the tournament. Fans attending the Mexico vs. South Korea match on June 18 can stick around afterward for live music and post-game festivities.

The Getty Center

1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Select dates from June 11 through July 19

Take in world-class art and world-class soccer at the same time. The Getty Center will broadcast select matches on large screens, with special food and drink offerings available for guests.

La Guelaguetza

3014 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
Dates: June 11, 18, and 24

This beloved Oaxacan restaurant will host screenings of select World Cup matches, creating the perfect setting to enjoy authentic cuisine while cheering on your favorite team.

Casa Mexico Los Angeles

501 N. Main St., Los Angeles
Dates: June 11 through July 19

Fans of El Tri can gather for free watch parties during Mexico's World Cup matches in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

Bar CDMX

515 W. 7th St., Los Angeles
Dates: June 11 and 12

This underground Downtown L.A. spot will project Mexico's opening match against South Africa and Team USA's showdown with Paraguay.

Pasadena Civic Auditorium Plaza

300 E. Green St., Pasadena
Date: June 12 at 4:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family to this free USA vs. Paraguay watch party featuring food trucks, live music, activities for kids, and a beer garden for adults.

Boyle Heights Watch Party

1st Street Corridor at Vicente Fernandez Street
Date: June 18

The Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce will transform the neighborhood into a soccer celebration during Mexico's match against South Korea. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes community organizations, entertainment, and plenty of local flavor.

In addition, several Los Angeles County parks will host free watch parties complete with youth soccer clinics, family activities, and live match broadcasts.

Official FIFA Fan Festival Heads to L.A.

One of the biggest celebrations of the tournament will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park from June 11 through June 14.

Tickets are $10, while children ages 12 and under get in free.

Fans can expect:

• Live broadcasts of World Cup matches
• Performances by artists including Steve Aoki, Normani, Deorro, Sickick, Los Lobos, Capital Cities, and DJ Ravidrums
• Interactive fan experiences
• Food, entertainment, and plenty of soccer spirit

The festivities begin even before the opening whistle. The United States Countdown Concert at Crypto.com Arena on June 10 will feature live performances alongside broadcasts from Toronto and Mexico City.

Where to Buy Official World Cup Merchandise

Looking to gear up before the matches begin? Official FIFA World Cup 2026 pop-up shops have opened throughout the Los Angeles area.

Locations include:

• Santa Monica
• Hollywood
• Manhattan Beach
• Torrance
• Two separate Downtown Los Angeles locations

Fans can shop for official jerseys, T-shirts, hats, scarves, and other World Cup merchandise. All six pop-up stores are expected to remain open through July 31.

Get Ready for Soccer's Biggest Stage

With Team USA opening its campaign at SoFi Stadium and fan celebrations popping up all over Southern California, Los Angeles is ready to embrace the excitement of the world's biggest sporting event.

Whether you're attending a match in person, singing along at the Fan Festival, or watching with fellow supporters at a neighborhood gathering, there's no shortage of ways to be part of the World Cup experience this summer.

Game on.

VOTE HERE

Booking an Airbnb Could Land You Free 2026 FIFA World Cup Tickets

Scoring tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup won't be easy — or cheap. But if you're planning to travel for the tournament, your Airbnb reservation could come with a major bonus: free match tickets.

Airbnb announced this week that a limited number of stays in select host cities will include complimentary World Cup tickets for guests. The special promotion covers homes in cities including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Vancouver, Monterrey, and several other tournament destinations across North America.

According to Airbnb, guests who book eligible listings will receive match tickets for every person included in the reservation. Once the booking is confirmed, hosts will provide instructions on how to claim the tickets.

The participating properties average around $385 per night and will be available throughout the tournament, from the group stage all the way through the championship match. Travelers can identify eligible listings by looking for a soccer ball icon and a notice at the top of the listing indicating that tickets are included.

When Can You Book?

Starting June 10, 2026

• Group Stage: All FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities
• Round of 32: Los Angeles, Boston, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Mexico City, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City, and Dallas

Starting June 18, 2026

• Round of 16: Philadelphia, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Mexico City, Dallas, and Seattle

Starting July 1, 2026

• Quarterfinals: Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City

Starting July 9, 2026

• Semifinals: Dallas and Atlanta

Starting July 16, 2026

• Final: New York/New Jersey

SoFi Stadium's Busy World Cup Schedule

Southern California soccer fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch the action in person. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches during the tournament.

Among those games are two featuring the U.S. Men's National Team — their tournament opener against Paraguay on June 12 and their final Group D match against Türkiye on June 25.

The venue is also expected to host Iran's group-stage matches against New Zealand and Belgium on June 15 and June 21, respectively. Despite uncertainty surrounding Iran's participation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Iranian officials have confirmed that the national team intends to compete in the tournament.

Additional matches at SoFi include:

• Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 18
• Two Round of 32 matches on June 28 and July 2
• A quarterfinal match on July 10

A Creative Solution to High Ticket Costs?

The Airbnb promotion arrives as FIFA continues to face criticism over the rising cost of attending the world's biggest soccer event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently defended the pricing structure, saying that if FIFA's ticket prices are considered unreasonable, then "probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong," according to the Associated Press.

Whether you're a die-hard soccer supporter or simply hoping to experience the excitement of the World Cup atmosphere, this Airbnb promotion could offer a rare opportunity to save money while securing one of the hottest tickets in sports.

If you're planning a World Cup getaway, it may pay to book your stay quickly — because these ticket-inclusive listings are expected to disappear fast. Find out more at AIRBNB.COM/FIFAHOST.