Chick-fil-A flies above the competition—again

Even after ditching coleslaw and causing a stir in New York City  recently, one Atlanta fast-food favorite remains No. 1 in the hearts of chicken lovers across the country, according to a new report.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) just released a report announcing Chick-fil-A ranked No. 1 in its most recent survey of 4,786 customers, beating out all other top fast-food restaurants, according to a news release from ACSI, a private company that interviews more than 7,000 consumers each year on food service and quality.

Chick-fil-A’s ACSI score increased by 1 percent to 87 this year, based on ACSI metrics on the restaurant’s perceived quality, customer loyalty and customer complaints.

Nearly all fast food chains included in the survey saw gains in customer satisfaction, except for Chipotle Mexican Grill, which saw a 6 percent drop in its ACSI score likely due to its wave of food-related illnesses.

"Americans are now spending more money dining out than shopping for groceries," Claes Fornell, ACSI Chairman and founder, said in a written statement.

"Fast-food restaurants appear to be capitalizing on this trend more than full-service restaurants, maintaining the lower prices and speedy service that has long defined the industry, while also appealing to health-conscious consumers via more diverse offerings and higher-quality ingredients."

For Chick-fil-A, that health-conscious new offering came earlier this year with the kale-base salad, dubbed a superfood side and featuring broccolini, roasted nuts, dried sour cherries and maple vinaigrette dressing.