Ben & Jerry’s outranked all other brands in the Limited-Service category, fueled by strong scores for Food Quality, Craveability and Reputation.

Ben & Jerry’s received a segment-leading Overall Score of 73.4 percent. Overall Scores are based on an average of scores on a variety of attributes weighted by the importance that diners in that segment put on each attribute.

Ben & Jerry’s was ranked No. 7 among all 173 brands in the survey, based on Overall Score.

Among the 11 Limited-Service/Frozen Treat chains, the brand received the highest scores on six out of 10 attributes: Food Quality, Reputation, Craveability, Service, Menu Variety and Atmosphere. Attribute scores reflect the percentage of respondents who said a chain was "outstanding" or "above average" in that area.

Ben & Jerry’s Craveability score, at 77.2 percent, was highest among all 112 Limited-Service chains. Attribute scores reflect the percentage of respondents who said a chain was "outstanding" or "above average" in that area.

Ben & Jerry’s two highest attribute scores were 83.6 percent for Food Quality and 81.5 percent for Reputation. Its next-highest scores were for Likely to Recommend and Craveability, respectively.

The brand’s two lowest scores were 52.0 for Value and 65.1 for Atmosphere.

Ben & Jerry’s was created in 1978 after its founders took a $5 course to learn how to make ice cream.

The chain focuses much of its efforts on choosing the right operators who fit the Ben & Jerry’s brand and its mission.

Ben & Jerry’s says its social mission helps it gain the favor of younger consumers.

Growth at Ben & Jerry’s is focused on quality rather than quantity. The company looks for a few strong sites to put its ice cream shops.