You can thank Jack in The Box for part of that, after they killed a bunch of people McD's required, no forced us to cook the patty to death. If you didn't cook it to at least, been a while but I think 165 Deg. minimum consistently and the Corp. caught you it was the end of your job and the Franchisee was put through a bunch of crap. Also just the way things are done now versus the old holding bins really affects the taste.
If you go into any McDs or Jack in the Box, or Burger King, or whatever fast food place, notice that you virtually NEVER see a burger actually being fried on a grill.
The patties are taken from a "warmer" and placed on a bun.
God knows WHEN the so-called "burgers" were actually cooked, or how.
Probably microwaved and flash frozen, then sent cross-country to the restaurants for a good thawing.
Even Wendy's has given up on Hot 'N Juicy.
More like overcooked and dry as a bone.
That's why Five Guys and In and Out burger are top sellers.
The majority of fast food restaurants are simply creating crappy quality product.
No surprise they are starting to fail.