Let's face it: fast food is a popularity contest.Having a positive reputation is essential to every restaurant chain, from smaller regional operations to nationwide juggernauts like McDonald's and Starbucks. Word tends to spread quickly when it comes to low-quality food, rude staff, and other customer criticisms.
Public sentiment, of course, is constantly evolving and far from static. What was popular yesterday may not be as sought after today. If you've been pondering which fast-food brands find themselves on the top of the popularity mountain in 2024, look no further than the latest edition of YouGov's Most Popular Dining Brands report.
The most quoted market research source on the planet, YouGov boasts over 27 million registered panel members and focuses on gathering accurate consumer insights. This most recent edition of the dining brands coverage ranked restaurants according to nationally representative popularity percentage scores. According to YouGov, percentages are calculated by "taking the proportion of people who view something positively and showing it as a percentage of all of the people who have given any opinion about that thing, including 'have heard of.'"
While the specific number of respondents involved in this research is not disclosed, all YouGov surveys typically feature a representative sample of "at least 1,500" panelists. Data is collected daily, and reports are updated quarterly. Let's take a look at the top 50 fast-food chains in America right now, according to the latest data.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
A genius-level choice for anyone in search of fresh-from-the-oven bagels, Einstein Bros. Bagels boasts delectable menu choices like the Asiago Cheese Bagel, Garlic Bagel, and the Cheddar Jalapeño Gourmet Bagel. Close to 700 domestic locations also offer a variety of additional breakfast sandwich and coffee options.
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Big Boy
Known for its trademark cherubic mascot, the Big Boy burger brand has been serving up customer favorites like the Big Boy Sandwich (double-decker cheeseburger) since the 1940s. Originally founded in California, the first version of BB's mascot was actually sketched on a napkin by a Warner Bros. animation artist who happened to be a regular customer. Today, there are 55 Big Boy locations in the United States.
Shake Shack
What started as a hot dog cart in New York City's Madison Square Park is now a gourmet burger leader. Shake Shack has become synonymous with a burger experience that's a cut above the rest thanks to high-quality ingredients and robust, flavorful burgers, hot dogs, and fries. There are over 300 locations domestically and close to 200 additional Shake Shack locations internationally.
Carl's Jr.
A seminal fast-food chain with West Coast roots, Carl's Jr. specializes in char-broiled burgers and other customer favorites, including hand-breaded chicken tenders, scratch-made biscuits, and hand-scooped milkshakes and malts.
Raising Cane's
Who says fast food has to be all about burgers? Enter Raising Cane's, the celebrated fast-food chain that serves only chicken fingers. When founder Todd Graves presented his idea for a chicken-only brand to his college business professor, he was given a poor grade and told the idea would never work. Jump ahead to 2024, and there are close to 750 Raising Cane's locations.
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Wingstop
If you're still in doubt about the legitimacy of chicken-only fast food operations, look no further than Wingstop. With over 2,000 locations in operation all over the world, Wingstop has enjoyed incredible commercial success and growth since starting up in Garland, Texas, back in 1994 as a modest Buffalo-style chicken wing restaurant. From garlic parmesan and lemon epper to spicier options like "atomic," Wingstop has a sauce for every appetite.
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Jack in the Box
Thanks to a diverse menu featuring tacos, egg rolls, and an entire munchies menu with each item priced for less than $4, Jack in the Box offers hungry customers a wealth of dining options. There are over 2,000 Jack in the Box restaurants in the U.S,, with over 900 in California alone.
Long John Silver's
The first chain on this list to specialize in seafood, Long John Silver's was founded in 1969 with the name being derived from the fictional character Long John Silver from the classic novel Treasure Island. Literary references aside, customers can't get enough of menu standouts like the signature fish and chips, popcorn shrimp, and fish tacos.
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Quiznos
Quiznos brought a new spin to the fast-food submarine sandwich game by toasting its sandwiches. The extra crunch of Quiznos' subs may have brought customers through the doors of its very first Denver location in 1981, but the brand has persisted throughout the years thanks to innovative sandwiches like the Honey Bacon Club and Peppercorn Steak.
Steak 'n Shake
Steak 'n Shake has been all about steakburgers and milkshakes since the very first location opened its doors in 1934. Back then, in an effort to showcase the freshness and especially prime quality of the burgers, founder Gus Belt would actually carry in a wheelbarrow of steaks (including round, sirloin, T-bones, etc.) and grind the meat directly in front of the customers. Nowadays, there are over 400 domestic Steak 'n Shake restaurants.
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Starbucks
One of the most instantly recognizable brands in the world, Starbucks revolutionized the coffee industry after launching in 1971 out of Seattle. Another chain that owes its identity to a literary classic, Starbucks was named after the first mate of Captain Ahab's ship in Moby Dick. Tens of thousands of Starbucks locations serve countless coffee classics in four sizes: short, tall, grande, and venti.
Church's Texas Chicken
Founded across the street from the historic Alamo in San Antonio, Church's Texas Chicken is another fast-food chain that prioritizes poultry above all else. Close to 800 restaurants across the U.S. now serve chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, and tons of mouthwatering sides like honey butter biscuits, fried okra, and jalapeño cheese bombers.
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Culver's
A standard-bearer when it comes to midwestern fast-food fare, Culver's has customers coming back for its signature Butterburgers, Wisconsin cheese curds, and frozen custard. This chain may have started in Wisconsin, but today there are close to 1,000 locations across various U.S. regions including the Southeast.
Whataburger
Named a "Texas Treasure" by the the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, Whataburger and its iconic orange and white color scheme has long been entrenched in southwestern fast-food culture. Roughly 1,000 locations now serve pure, never frozen beef on a 24/7 basis, and not just in Texas. Whataburger enjoys a presence in over a dozen U.S. states.
Orange Julius
While most often recognized as a part of numerous malls and shopping centers all over the country, the Orange Julius brand is actually quite older than the concept of the modern mall. Starting out nearly a century ago in 1926, the chain is best known for its signature drink, you guessed it, the Orange Julius: a mixture of ice, orange juice, sweetener, milk, powdered egg whites, and vanilla flavoring.
Firehouse Subs
Created by a pair of real-life former firefighters, Firehouse Subs offers a menu full of customer favorites like the New York Steamer and Firehouse Meatball. In addition to nearly 1,200 U.S. locations, Firehouse Subs also has restaurants in international locations like Switzerland and Canada.
Hardee's
Hardee's is often confused with its sister brand, Carl's Jr., and for good reason; the two fast-food chains share the same owner and very similar branding and menu options. There are, however, a number of differences between the two burger brands. Only Hardee's offers Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, for example. There are also more Hardee's locations than Carl's Jr. (over 1,600 versus over 1,000).
Panda Express
The largest Asian-inspired restaurant chain in the United States, Panda Express specializes in Chinese-American dishes like orange chicken, kung pao chicken, and honey walnut shrimp. In just the United States alone, the brand boasts an incredible footprint of over 2,000 locations.
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Jimmy John's
Known for fresh ingredients and signature sandwiches like the Spicy East Italian or the Jimmy Cubano, this Illinois-based gourmet sandwich chain has over 2,600 locations nationwide.
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Boston Market
Specializing in rotisserie chicken and a plethora of side dishes, the restaurant chain once called Boston Chicken has fallen on hard times lately—though it still has its fans, as evidenced by the latest survey. Boston Market began 2023 with over 300 restaurants before filing for bankruptcy in December. According to Restaurant Business, the chain is now down to just 27 locations.
Nathan's Famous
Started over a century ago at New York City's Coney Island by a Polish immigrant with little more than a hot dog stand and a dream, the Nathan's brand today ranks among the most recognizable ever. Known for its trademark green and yellow color scheme, Nathan's is the go-to choice for tens of millions when in search of a frankfurter and crinkle-cut fries.
In-N-Out Burger
No trip to the West Coast is complete without a stop to this iconic burger chain. Synonymous with California culture and mouth-watering innovations like "animal style" burgers and the "not-no-secret menu," In-N-Out is set to open its first (and furthest east) location in Nashville, Tenn., in 2026.
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White Castle
Forever occupying a special place in pop culture, White Castle continues to enjoy an impressive domestic presence with around 350 restaurants. The chain just announced a fantastic new deal for 10 cheese sliders priced at just $7.99 as well.
Auntie Anne's
Does a trip to the local mall or food court really count without stopping by Auntie Anne's for a delicious, buttery soft-baked pretzel? Also known for myriad dips and its signature lemonade, Auntie Anne's operates over 1,300 U.S. locations.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
A big part of the fast-casual revolution, Chipotle is a tasty and fast lunch option for countless hungry customers. Whether you're in the mood for a burrito, taco, or a burrito bowl, any one of Chipotle's 3,000-plus locations will let you customize your meal every step of the way.
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Five Guys
A bit more expensive than other burger chains on this list, Five Guys only uses pure 100% beef with no fillers, and loads up customers with hefty portions of fries and complimentary peanuts. The burger chain also serves split hot dogs at its nearly 1,500 units all over the U.S.
Mrs. Fields
For those of us with a sweet tooth, sometimes a little bit of dessert after dinner truly makes the meal. Founder Debbi Fields began selling home-cooked cookies in 1977, and all these years later, the Mrs. Fields brand is still all about baked goods. Featuring hundreds of locations, Mrs. Fields specializes in gourmet cookies, cookie baskets, brownies, and cookie cakes.
Sonic
"America's Drive-In" is a throwback to simpler times, complete with drive-in dining and carhops that deliver food to your car. The fast-food chain also boasts a diverse menu punctuated by standouts like the Cherry Limeade, mozzarella sticks, and tater tots.
Jersey Mike's Subs
Originating out of Point Pleasant, N.J., Jersey Mike's operates close to 3,000 restaurants across the U.S. While there are plenty of places to grab a sandwich out there, many customers can't get enough of the chain's signature "Mike's Way" topping combination: onions, lettuce, tomatoes, a signature olive oil blend, red wine vinegar, and additional spices.
Cold Stone Creamery
What's better than ice cream? Ice cream prepared on a frozen granite stone, of course. Cold Stone Creamery is the perfect spot for dessert with a menu rich in cakes, smoothies, shakes, and fun ice cream flavors like Chocolate Devotion and Coffee Lovers Only.
Krispy Kreme
Proof that a great recipe will stand the test of time, Krispy Kreme's original glazed doughnut has been attracting customers for close to a century. Prepared using a secret yeast-raised recipe, these circular bites of fried heaven are showered in a warm sugar glaze before being served fresh at over 350 locations nationwide.
Popeyes
A heavy hitter in the fast-food chicken game, Popeyes has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, thanks to the release of its own chicken sandwich. Today, there are over 3,000 Popeyes locations in the U.S. serving Louisiana-style fried chicken, seafood, and sides like cajun rice and mac and cheese.
Papa John's
With over 3,000 U.S. locations, Papa John's is one of the biggest and most profitable pizza chains in the world. Besides menu standouts like the pepperoni pizza or Zesty Italian Trio Pizza prepared with Papa John's signature sauce, other customer favorites include garlic knots, Cinnamon-Pull-Aparts, and Double Chocolate Chip Brownies.
Arby's
Defined by slow-roasted, freshly sliced roast beef, Arby's appeals to customers by combining the convenience of fast food with the flavors of a deli. Besides the iconic roast beef, Arby's menu also includes its famous Curly Fries, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers.
Burger King
The home of the Whopper is one of the most recognizable fast-food brands on the planet. Considering there are over 6,700 Burger King locations in just the U.S. alone (roughly 19,000 globally), there's no denying the chain's prominence and staying power.
Panera Bread
Amid a sea of fast-food burgers and fries, Panera Bread stands out among the pack. Specializing in baked goods, salads, soups, and sandwiches, Panera actually started out as the St. Louis Bread Company before officially switching names in 1997. From broccoli cheddar soup to ciabatta cheesesteaks, Panera's 2,100-plus U.S. locations have something on the menu for virtually any palate.
Subway
It doesn't get any bigger than Subway. The number one submarine sandwich chain in the world was acquired for a cool $10 billion earlier this year by Roark Capital Group, and just announced a new partnership agreement with PepsiCo. On the tastier side of business, Subway has rolled out near non-stop menu innovations this year like the Sidekicks Snack Menu and an all-new cheddar cheese sauce.
A&W Restaurants
A&W Restaurants' origins can be traced all the way back to 1919, making it one of the oldest U.S. restaurant chains still in business today. Famous for its trademark draft root beer and root beer floats, all 500-plus A&W locations also offer a wide variety of American fare like burgers, hot dogs, and cheese curds.
Little Caesars
A pizza powerhouse boasting locations in all 50 states (and 27 countries altogether), Little Caesars is perhaps best known for its HOT-N-READY® pizza, irresistible Crazy Bread®, and Detroit-Style Deep Dish. The Little Caesars brand has long been synonymous with savings, as the chain habitually offers customers fantastic deals like large pizzas for less than $10.
Pizza Hut
The original innovator of the Stuffed Crust Pizza, Pizza Hut has come a long way since the Carney brothers borrowed $600 from their mother to start a restaurant business. It's safe to say that Mom made her money back ten-fold. Today, Pizza Hut is the second-largest pizza chain in the world with over 6,700 locations in the United States.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A has enjoyed incredible growth and popularity in recent years, and is now considered the third-largest fast-food chain in America. Besides a simple yet delicious menu featuring classics like the Original Chicken Sandwich, Chick-fil-A is also renowned for incredible customer service across its 3,000-plus domestic locations.
Domino's
The top dog of the pizza landscape, Domino's enjoys an absolutely gargantuan restaurant count all over the world. Besides over 6,000 units in the U.S. alone, Domino's operates in over 90 international markets across more than 20,900 restaurants. Whether you're in the mood for Loaded Tots, Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes, or just want to build your own pizza, Domino's is a solid option for both take-out or delivery.
McDonald's
Beyond dominating the fast-food industry, McDonald's is as much a cultural institution as it is a culinary one. Deeply ingrained in Americana, menu items like Big Macs, Happy Meals, and McChickens satisfy billions of patrons year after year.
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Dunkin'
"America runs on Dunkin'" is more than just a slogan for coffee and doughnut chain Dunkin' (previously Dunkin' Donuts up until 2019). Close to 10,000 Dunkin' locations on a national scale (and over 13,000 globally) serve favorites like Coolattas and Munchkins to millions daily.
Taco Bell
The undisputed king of Mexican- and TexMex-inspired fast food, Taco Bell started off 2024 in a big way via the release of its "revitalized" Cravings Value Menu. Featuring 10 "crave-worthy" menu items like the Spicy Potato Soft Taco for just $1.19, the new menu offers customers serious value, which is highly prized in these inflationary times.
KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken (better known as KFC) may have originated in the American South thanks to founder Colonel Harland Sanders, but the brand is the very definition of global in 2024 with over 30,000 locations across 150 nations. Countless families have picked up a bucket of fried chicken for dinner since the very first franchised KFC location opened its doors in Salt Lake City in 1952—and many still do.
Cinnabon
Originality is often key to success, and no other chain can deliver frosty cinnamon flavor quite like Cinnabon. Based on an original recipe that ensures "sweet, cinnamon-spiced perfection," according to the company, Cinnabon's namesake cinnamon rolls feature makara cinnamon, fresh baked dough, and tons of luscious cream cheese frosting.
Wendy's
Chicken nugget aficionados have long revered Wendy's original and spicy chicken nugget offerings, but the fast-food chain recently stepped up its chicken game considerably with the release of seven all-new Saucy Nuggs flavors: Honey BBQ, Garlic Parm, Buffalo, Spicy Honey BBQ, Spicy Garlic Parm, Spicy Buffalo, and Spicy Ghost Pepper. The mega successful fast-food brand well known for Frostys and burgers with over 6,000 U.S. restaurants is also in the midst of a breakfast renaissance ever since introducing a morning menu back in 2020.
Baskin-Robbins
Variety is the spice of life, and Baskin-Robbins offers ice cream lovers a different flavor for each day of the month. Started by brothers-in-law Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, Baskin-Robbins has rolled out an unbelievable 1,300-plus flavors since opening its doors in 1945. While everyone will have their personal preference, a few customer favorite flavors include Gold Medal Ribbon, Jamoca, and Oreo 'n Cold Brew.
Dairy Queen
It's been a long and flavorful journey, but we've finally arrived at the #1 most popular fast-food chain in America in 2024: Dairy Queen. Founded in 1940 in Joliet, Ill., DQ is of course best known for its frosty treats from innovative classic soft-serve to the iconic Blizzard. Nowadays, the DQ brand offers consumers far more than dessert. The menu is stacked with additional options like Chicken Finger Baskets and Signature Stackburgers.
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