What is America's favorite fast-food chain?

America's favorite fast-food restaurant depends on the metric, but Chick-fil-A consistently tops customer satisfaction surveys (ACSI) for its service, while McDonald's leads in overall sales and locations, and Del Taco won a 2024 reader's poll for best overall, showing varied consumer preferences.

What is the #1 fast food chain in America?

McDonald's is consistently the #1 fast-food chain in the U.S. by sales, though metrics vary: it leads in total revenue, while Subway often leads by number of locations, and Chick-fil-A frequently tops customer satisfaction surveys. Recent reports from mid-2025 show McDonald's with over $53 billion in sales, followed by Starbucks and Chick-fil-A.
 

Which fast food chain is America's favorite?

Even among numerous controversies and boycott attempts, the 2022 American Customer Satisfaction Index found that Chick-fil-A remained the country's favorite fast food chain for the eighth consecutive year, and it has the highest per store sales of any fast food chain in the nation.

What is the US's favorite fast food?

McDonald's and Burger King lead the pack. Americans have a wide array of choices when it comes to fast food, but some brands stand out as especially popular.

Is Chick-fil-A more popular than McDonald's?

By U.S revenue, McDonald's is the top fast food chain with over $10.38 billion generated in 2023. By number of U.S chains, Subway is the top fast food chain in the U.S with over 19,000 chains. By customer satisfaction, Chick-fil-A is the top fast food chain with a rating of 83% in 2024.

I Tested Every Fast Food Chain in New York

Who is Chick-fil-A's biggest competitor?

Indeed, Kalinowski Equity Research noted all the way back in 2018 that Chick-fil-A's biggest competitor is McDonald's and it's no wonder why the Golden Arches and seemingly every other QSR concept (and beyond) have since ignited a chicken sandwich war replicating the Atlanta-based chain's signature product.

What is the #1 healthiest fast food?

There's no single "number 1" healthiest, but Chipotle and Cava consistently rank highest due to customizable bowls with fresh ingredients, lean proteins, and whole foods, while Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread are also top contenders for grilled options, salads, and nutrient-rich sides, though careful ordering is key. Taco Bell also offers surprisingly healthy, customizable choices with its "Fresco Style" modifications. 

Is Burger King or McDonald's bigger?

No, McDonald's is significantly bigger than Burger King globally and in the U.S., with more locations and higher sales, though Burger King remains the second-largest hamburger chain worldwide. McDonald's boasts over 38,000 stores globally and more than 13,000 in the U.S., compared to Burger King's roughly 19,000 worldwide and around 7,000 in the U.S.
 

What is America's #1 favorite food?

While there's no single #1 food, polls consistently show pizza, hamburgers, and french fries/mashed potatoes as top contenders, with pizza often cited as the overall favorite in many surveys, followed closely by iconic American dishes like fried chicken, steak, and classic comfort foods such as macaroni & cheese. 

Who beat Chick-fil-A?

Del Taco has recently beaten Chick-fil-A in reader-voted polls for America's Best Fast-Food Restaurant, notably in 2024 and again in 2025 polls by USA Today, ending Chick-fil-A's nine-year winning streak in that specific award. Other chains like KFC (in 2024) and Jack in the Box (in 2025) have also ranked higher in different categories or general rankings during this period, showing shifts in consumer preference in various fast-food surveys. 

What is the oldest fast food chain?

The oldest fast-food chain in America is generally considered to be White Castle, founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, pioneering the hamburger chain model and standardization, though A&W started slightly earlier (1919) but focused on root beer before expanding into food, with White Castle often credited as the first burger chain. White Castle introduced concepts like assembly-line kitchens and the five-cent slider, establishing the blueprint for future chains like McDonald's. 

What is the #1 best restaurant in the US?

There's no single "#1 restaurant" as it depends on the list (critics vs. revenue), but Atomix (Korean fine dining in NYC) often tops critic lists like North America's 50 Best, while Le Bernardin (seafood in NYC) consistently ranks top by La Liste (global), and Burdell (California Soul) was Food & Wine's 2024 pick. MILA in Miami is noted as a top-grossing spot, and McDonald's leads fast food revenue.
 

Which fast food has the best fries?

The best fast-food fries are subjective, but Arby's Curly Fries, Wendy's Natural-Cut Fries, and Checkers/Rally's Seasoned Fries consistently rank at the top for flavor, crispiness, and seasoning, with Five Guys and McDonald's also strong contenders for classic styles, while Chick-fil-A's Waffle Fries and Taco Bell's Nacho Fries are favorites for their unique twists. 

Is Wendy's bigger than Burger King?

For years, Wendy's has been the third-largest U.S. burger chain in terms of size and market share, behind No. 2 Burger King and No. 1 McDonald's, which has more than 14,000 domestic restaurants.

Who is bigger than McDonald's?

Subway, Starbucks and McDonald's are the largest food chains in the United States in 2026 based on the number of locations. Subway has the most number of locations with 20,162 locations across 51 states and territories. Starbucks has 16,854 and McDonald's has 13,794 locations in the US.

What country eats the most fast food?

The fast food landscape has shifted dramatically, with the United States firmly claiming the title as the world's most fast food obsessed country in 2024.

What is America's least favorite food?

Then, in a separate survey, we asked Americans their feelings on each. The foods that topped the list of those disliked or hated by the largest share of American adult citizens are anchovies (56% of Americans dislike or hate it), liver (54%), and sardines (52%).

What is the most ordered meal in America?

America's most ordered dishes of 2022, according to Grubhub

• Burrito (bowl or regular)
• Cheeseburger.
• Cheese Pizza.
• Pad Thai.
• Chicken Quesadilla.
• California Roll.
• Fried Chicken Sandwich.
• Caesar Salad.

What percent of Americans like burgers?

84% of consumers either love or like burgers. 55% of consumers eat burgers at least once a week. The burger expands into the morning daypart and/or fried eggs show up on burgers. 59% say affordability is a key factor when deciding where to order a burger.

What's better, Big Mac or Whopper?

The Whopper (Burger King) and Big Mac (McDonald's) differ in their core flavor profile: the Whopper offers a smoky, flame-grilled taste with fresh veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles) and mayo, while the Big Mac provides a griddle-cooked, softer texture with shredded lettuce, pickles, onions, and its iconic tangy "special sauce" on a three-part sesame seed bun, making the choice a matter of preference between smoky/fresh vs. classic/saucy. Nutritionally, the Whopper generally has more calories and fat, while the Big Mac has more sodium, though both are substantial burgers.
 

What's the healthiest fast food?

The healthiest fast food options focus on grilled proteins, fresh veggies, and whole grains, with Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Panera, and Cava often ranking high for customizable bowls/salads, grilled nuggets, and healthier ingredients, but smart choices at Taco Bell (Fresco style), Wendy's (chili, baked potato), or Subway (veggie/turkey subs) also work by customizing to limit cheese, creamy sauces, and fried items, opting for water, and prioritizing lean protein and fiber.
 

What is the #1 unhealthiest food?

There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but sugary drinks (soda, sweetened juices), processed meats (bacon, hot dogs), and deep-fried items (fries, fried chicken) consistently rank as top contenders due to high sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and artificial ingredients, contributing to weight gain, diabetes, and heart issues. Other major offenders include donuts, white bread, sugary cereals, and many packaged snacks. 

What is the 80/20 rule for eating?

The 80/20 diet rule is a flexible eating approach where you focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods (fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains) 80% of the time, allowing for less healthy treats (desserts, processed foods, alcohol) 20% of the time, emphasizing sustainability and balance over strict restriction to prevent guilt and promote long-term healthy habits. It's about making most choices nourishing while still enjoying favorite indulgences in moderation, rather than eliminating entire food groups. 

Is Five Guys or Wendy's healthier?

Five Guys Cheeseburger is Unhealthiest in Class

Burger King and McDonald's cheeseburgers are tied on relatively low unhealthiness scores (18 points). They each have less than a quarter of the saturated fat of a cheeseburger at Five Guys and less than half that of a Wendy's cheeseburger.

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