What 12 Fast Food Ads Actually Look Like Versus Reality

That sizzling, perfectly grilled burger you see in a fast food ad is likely nothing like the one you'll actually get. Chances are, the bun will be flattened, the toppings will spill over, and the patty will look a lot less appetizing than it did on screen. We all know by now that food photographers often use fake ingredients like glue and motor oil to make food look its best, but that doesn’t stop us from being enticed by these ads every time.

According to surveys conducted by custom signage company Signs.com, the biggest culprits of misleading food ads are Chik-fil-A, Burger King, and McDonald’s. Survey respondents reported that Chik-fil-A’s original chicken sandwich looked 108% more appealing in its ad than in reality, with many willing to spend an extra $2.76 for the advertised version.

Signs.com surveyed over 500 people, asking them to compare fast food ads with actual food photos taken by their team. The real food pictures were shot to match the advertised images as closely as possible, although the company noted that actual food may differ depending on the location.

Survey participants favored real photos of food over the advertised versions in only two instances—when they were shown pictures of Papa John’s and Domino’s pizzas. For all other foods, the real versions were deemed less appetizing than their advertised counterparts.

Keep going to explore more food comparisons, and visit Signs.com for a detailed analysis of the survey results.