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Are you hungry and want food in an instant? If that’s the case, you’re doing what many Americans do: turning to your favorite fast-food chain to enjoy a tasty meal in minutes, all without spending a lot of money. Do food chains ideally reign supreme in terms of sheer popularity?These chains may not have the flashiest menus or the most complex ingredients, but when it comes to a popularity contest, some chains stand out from the rest.
That’s according to web polling company YouGov, which recently released its updated list of the most popular places to eat across the country. According to YouGov, a channel’s popularity is determined through the percentage of consumers who have a positive agreement with the brand. While this ranking takes into account all restaurant chains, today’s roundup focuses strictly on fast-food establishments. From burgers to pizza to ice cream, here are the 50 most popular fast food chains in America for 2024.
This year, Carvel, an ice cream parlor, is best known to consumers for its frozen cakes that can be found in the supermarket. Carvel locations also serve various flavors of ice cream in cones, sundaes, and more.
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The Smoothie King beverage chain offers frozen beverages made with genuine ingredients. There’s nothing better when you’re craving a refreshing, ice-cold drink. It replaces Jamba Juice, which ranked 49th in the 2022 ratings but did not qualify this year.
Hailed as one of the best burger chains in America, Shake Shack does a lot of things well, including its popular burgers and milkshakes. Expect to find everything from chicken sandwiches to hot dogs on the menu during your next visit.
Carl’s Jr. has a menu full of pieces of food that you may not find at other fast-food chains, from breakfast burritos to Chicken Stars. The logo has lost 10 spaces compared to 2022, it’s still strong enough to be in the most 50 sensible logos. Carl’s is a sister logo to Hardee’s, which is the most sensible on this list.
Fuddruckers made its way onto the top 50 list this year after not appearing on the list in 2022. The once nearly extinct burger chain has made a comeback in recent years and is now considered one of the top burger chains in the country.
Raising Cane’s has recently been driving expansion, with the opening of a new logo-branded location in New York City’s Times Square in 2023. The Southern-style fast-food bird chain expanding nationally likely plays a role in why it seems so sensible.
Sandwich chain Quiznos has struggled for years but has since bounced back. However, his popularity took a hit and he fell from 23rd place in the 2022 rankings.
Regional burger chain Culver’s ranked among the top 50 most sensible fast-food chains this year after failing to consistently stand out in the past. Its popularity is due in large part to its unique ButterBurger and frozen crème fraîche.
Einstein Bros. Bagels experienced a slight jump from the 48th position in the 2022 rankings. Given the chain’s menu of savory breakfast sandwiches and a diversity of bagel options, it’s no surprise that it becomes a preferred selection for consumers.
You may have far-flung memories of the chain in the food court of its now-defunct mall, but Orange Julius remains a popular fast-food option for many. Beyond the frozen orange drink, it serves all kinds of smoothies with pineapple, pomegranate flavors, and piña colada.
RELATED: The Healthiest Fast Food Smoothies to Order Right Now
Church’s Texas Chicken has expanded in recent years. The fast-food chain specializes in fried poultry and serves several Southern dishes to go with its fried bird, adding baked macaroni and cheese, honey shortbread cookies, and fried okra.
If you like wings, Wingstop is arguably the most productive fast-food option. There’s an explanation why chefs praise this place. The chain offers about a dozen other sauces and dry dressings to flavor the wings, all with varying degrees of heat. .
With its Double-Double burgers, animal-style fries, and not-so-secret menu, In-N-Out has been a West Coast staple for decades. Customers love its affordable costs and undeniable menu that can be custom-designed at various other locations. tactics that suit the audience’s preferences.
There are many fast food chains that specialize in seafood in those days, which makes Long John Silver’s unique and has likely helped keep its popularity intact over the years.
Coffee giant Starbucks has been hit a bit since the most recent raids, where it scored higher. Only 51% of respondents viewed the logo favorably in the most recent survey. It’s still a force to be reckoned with thanks to its fan-favorite menu pieces that come with seasonal specials, festive menus, and classics throughout the year.
Want a midnight snack? Jack in the Box’s menu has plenty of late-night snacks to keep you satisfied. Their menu also helps visitors stay fueled throughout the day, with breakfast and lunch favorites like Bacon Breakfast Jack and Sourdough Jack.
Whataburger, which got its start in Texas, is beloved by customers for its fresh burgers made with high-quality ingredients as well as its unique breakfast sandwiches. Whataburger has plenty of tasty choices, from patty melts to hot apple pies, to keep regulars coming back.
Firehouse Subs jumped about 10 spots from previous rankings. Known for its hot sandwiches, the sandwich chain is where chefs like to eat.
Considered the largest family-owned Asian restaurant chain in the United States, Panda Express now has 2,300 restaurants worldwide. A meal at Panda Express can range from a single two-ingredient dish to a hearty dish with protein and sides.
Fancy a sandwich? Jimmy John’s serves old-fashioned charcuterie-based sandwiches and savory hot sandwiches, all made with hand-cut meat.
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Once again, Hardee’s outperformed its sister brand, Carl’s Jr. Both fast-food chains play with the Happy Star logo and many menu items, though Hardee’s has more locations.
Steak ‘n Shake burgers are noted for their combination of round-cut meat, sirloin, and ribeyes. Despite losing many of its spots over the past two years, Steak ‘n Shake still made a jump into the top 50.
Famous for its hot dogs, Nathan’s Famous excels at its staples. Pair those hot dogs with a twist of gooey fries and fast-food heaven.
Pretzel enthusiasts are familiar with the fast food chain Auntie Anne’s. It’s a staple in malls across America, with old-fashioned chewy pretzels, pretzel bites, and cinnamon sugar pretzels for dessert.
When it comes to sandwich chains, Jersey Mike’s is a popular choice. The chain makes fresh, hot, bloodless sandwiches with the same old suspects. This, coupled with the more than 2,500 institutions across the United States, makes it a place to have lunch.
With dirt-cheap sliders that deliver on taste and value, White Castle has for decades been a reliable fast-food chain for inexpensive food options. Over the years, those basic sliders have evolved to include more unique options, such as the Jalapeño Cheese and Impossible varieties.
With new ingredients, Chipotle serves made-to-order Mexican cuisine. Fans are fiercely unwavering about the brand, even if they have to spend more on the guacamole.
“Pizza pizza,” anyone? Little Caesars only serves classic circular pizzas, but it also specializes in Detroit-style deep-dish oblong pizzas.
Named after the bloodless granite on which its frozen novelties are made, Cold Stone Creamery offers several customizable desserts. Choose from old-fashioned desserts or create your own and watch in awe as the ingredients blend together before your eyes.
With its signature Whopper sandwich, Burger King has been a worthy competitor among fast-food burger chains since opening in 1954. Over the years, Burger King has added a number of interesting dishes to its menu for a limited time.
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Papa Johns has risen six spots since its 2022 ranking. It is one of the largest pizza chains in the United States and, obviously, one of the most popular. In the most recent survey, around 60% of respondents have a favorable opinion of the brand. Pizza with dough is also helping to win over everyone.
With its guide wheel-mounted system, Sonic Drive-In is a first for both ordering lovers and their menu items. Choose from a variety of burgers, hot dogs, poultry nuggets and fries, and a waiter will bring your order to you without you having to get out of your car.
Do you “like this Popeyes bird”? Many consumers do so and opt for a poultry sandwich or a fried poultry basket. There’s no doubt about it: the fast food logo stands out for its main product, consistently ranking first among all poultry chains.
Domino’s saw a dip from its number 13 ranking in 2022, but it still has a strong showing in the top 20. It is hard to argue with the value Domino’s provides. The chain offers menu items including pasta, lava cake, and Buffalo wings, so you don’t even have to be craving pizza to enjoy a take-out meal from Domino’s.
Famously closed on Sundays, Chick-fil-A has skyrocketed in popularity over the years. You won’t find any hamburgers here, as Chick-fil-A’s menu consists of chicken sandwiches and nuggets. Pair those with some waffle fries and lemonade, and you have the makings of a classic Chick-fil-A meal.
In fact, “they have the meats. ” Arby’s offers several steak sandwiches, adding its signature roast beef, buffalo chicken, corned beef, brisket, and roast turkey. The chain offers a lot of sandwich features that you probably wouldn’t find in an average burger chain.
Guests can enjoy a sandwich, soup or salad with an artisanal twist at Panera Bread. Can’t decide? On the menu, opt for a You Pick Two food combo, the brand’s trademark.
Pizza Hut, the top-rated pizza chain in this ranking, is enjoyed by consumers for its spot price and quality: a pizza from Pizza Hut will feed a crowd of hungry friends. You’ll find a multitude of ingredients, the famous original crust filling, and popular accompaniments like cheese sticks.
Fans of A&W root beer will be happy to know that the brand still has its own chain of fast-food restaurants. Customers can order the signature root beer made fresh on-site, alongside burgers and hot dogs off its menu.
Five Guys just barely missed the top 10 this year, but don’t be mistaken, customers love the brand. Known for its made-to-order burgers and french fries cooked in peanut oil, this fast-food chain delivers big on flavor.
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McDonald’s is slightly in the top 10 this year. Perhaps the most well-known fast-food logo in the world, McDonald’s has been serving Big Macs, fries, and milkshakes since 1955. About 63% of respondents perceived the logo favorably in the most recent survey.
When you need breakfast on the go, there’s probably a Dunkin’ close by. If you live on the East Coast, you likely live near at least one location. The coffee chain has grown its menu over time to include items such as avocado toast and breakfast burritos, but many Dunkin’ fans like to stick with the basic doughnut and iced coffee combos.
Subway is the largest fast-food chain in the U. S. The U. S. is home to more than 20,000 locations nationwide, according to QSR magazine. The quick-casual sandwich concept, in which lunch is ready in front of you, incorporated features for long-lasting fast food. consumers when it opened its doors in 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
KFC is a quintessential American fast-food logo known around the world. Guests can choose from a variety of combinations by adding fried chicken breasts, wings, and thighs, served with various hearty and comforting dishes.
Mexican fast-casual chains have sprung up across the country in recent years, but none can surpass Taco Bell in terms of popularity. The chain has more than 7,200 locations nationwide, so there are plenty of options to go through when you eat a Crunchwrap Supreme and a refreshing sip of Baja Blast on the menu.
The reigning king of fast-food donuts in this roundup is Krispy Kreme. The chain is known for its iconic glazed doughnuts. When the red light is on, the donuts are cooler.
A common sight in shopping mall food courts, Cinnabon is there for those sweet, sweet cinnamon roll cravings. America’s sweet tooth must be strong, given its placement in the top five.
Where else can you dine on a cheeseburger, a bowl of chili, a baked potato, and a frozen dessert all under one roof? Wendy’s has been a top choice among fast-food aficionados for decades, with customers coming back for its delicious Frosty and Baconator.
After winning gold in 2022, Dairy Queen is in second position in this summary. The vintage soft serve chain is known for its cones, blizzards, and frozen dessert novelties.
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This year, the most sensible place is Baskin-Robbins, the ice cream maker known for its diversity of flavors. For some time now, it has been considered one of the most productive fast food chains in the United States. So it’s no surprise that he takes home the number one award this year. A whopping 75% of respondents perceived the logo favorably in the most recent survey.
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