Consumer Report's latest fast-food satisfaction survey has dubbed McDonald's hamburger the world's worst, a distinction that is now apparently hurting the restaurant chain's stock.
McDonald's stock fell 0.5 percent to $100.53 on Wednesday, according to The Washington Post. The company's financial numbers also dropped 0.8 percent in April, marking its first setback since figures rose 7.7 percent the previous three months Marketwatch reported.
McDonald's chief financial officer Peter Bensen stated the company "probably did things a little bit too quickly," when unveiling new menu items. Benson also told the Post that new protocol and shifted routines caused long waits at various restaurants.
Bensen stated, however, that officials had remedied the situation by providing workers with larger kitchen equipment and food preparation areas. Top executives stated their plans to focus on McDonald's most popular menu items - Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets, the Quarter Pounder, and several famed breakfast items among them.
Consumer Report subscribers gave their opinion on a number of other fast-food heavyweights; 32,405 said they liked Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell's burrito the least.
McDonald's received a 5.8 rating for its hamburger. Meanwhile, survey participants felt Habit Burger Grill, In-n-Out, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries had the best burgers. The food giants received ratings of 8.1, 8.0, and 7.9 respectively.
"On a scale of 1 to 10, from least delicious to most delicious you've ever eaten, how would you rate the taste of their signature dishes?" asked officials in the survey.
An executive at food service consulting firm Technomic noted that certain restaurants let customers make their own meals.
"Fast-casual dining in places like Chipotle and Panda Express lets the consumer guide the staff to prepare their meal just the way they like it," explained Darren Tristano.
