LOUISVILLE, KY - A report released earlier this week by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) reveals a rising consumer approval for QSRs and pizza brands, QSRWeb.com reports.

Consumer satisfaction with full-service restaurants increased 1.2 percent to an ACSI score of 82, while the QSR segment rose 5.3 percent to 79.

Pizza dominates the QSR ratings, with Pizza Hut holding the top spot with an ACSI score of 81, followed by Little Caesars 80.

Wendy??s topped burger satisfaction with a 77, followed by Taco Bell at 76 and KFC and Burger (both 75). McDonald??s made the largest improvement of all companies, rising 8 percent to a score of 72 ?" last place among QSR chains.

"Since the gap to its competitors has narrowed, this may well be the sweet spot for McDonald's," said Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI. "It's not that the Golden Arches operation is so big that its revenue is immune to low customer satisfaction, but rather it is less impacted by low satisfaction compared with the competition."

Leading the restaurant category was Olive Garden and Red Lobster at 82, with Outback Steakhouse third at 81.

The ACSI is updated quarterly and factors scores from more than 225 companies in 47 industries and from government agencies.