Classic Rant #698 (March 20, 2012): Wendy Crowns Burger King

McDonald's is the top hamburger chain. Nothing comes near it in sales, and I mean nothing.

Its sales alone trump everything in its sight. Last year, McDonald's reportedly took in $34.2 billion in sales, which was much more than the No. 2 and No. 3 hamburger chains' sales combined ... and I mean much more.

But what are No. 2 and No. 3 anyway?

Wendy's dethroned Burger King as the U.S.'s second biggest hamburger chain based on sales last year.

According to research firm Technomic Inc., Wendy's reportedly had sales of $8.5 billion in 2011, and Burger King wasn't far behind, with $8.4 billion, so Wendy's is now the No. 2 hamburger chain in America, but not by much.

Worldwide, Burger King remains in second place behind McDonald's, as it has far more restaurants than Wendy's does in other countries, so if you add everything up, Burger King is still No. 2 worldwide, a very distant second to McDonald's.

But what is the No. 2 restaurant chain overall?

It is Subway, with $11.4 billion in sales in 2011, and Starbucks is No. 3 with $9.8 billion in volume.

But as far as strictly hamburger chains, Wendy's is No. 2.

Yes, I eat fast food. I know that is such a negative comment today, or seemingly it is, with everyone talking about eating healthy, but I do eat fast food on occasion.

My family and I just had Wendy's the other day, and I don't think it is as good as it once was. I had its new Big W sandwich, and it really didn't have that much taste.

It was OK, but nothing that special.

McDonald's deserves to be No. 1, because its food tastes better than the rest.

And its fries are excellent.

Burger King is Burger King, meaning that you don't get that much when you go there, but you know what you are getting.

It is less expensive than the other two chains, and that is reflected in the food there.

It is OK, but McDonald's and Wendy's are a couple of notches above Burger King.

I also like Taco Bell, Arby's and the like, but honestly, the best hamburger you can get remains the one that you cook up yourself at home.

But if you are on the go, and don't have the time to make one yourself, the fast foods do offer an alternative.

And no, you don't go to them if you are dieting or watching your weight.

They aren't to blame for any weight issues you might have.

But if you want a quick bite, the fast foods are the best place to get full in a hurry.

So congratulations to Wendy's. I think they deserve to be where they are, although I was a bit disappointed the last time I went there.