The Top 20 Fast-Food Chains in America —Ranked by Popularity
American fast food is some of the best fast food on earth. Read on to discover 20 of the best American fast food chains that make us smile every time we go for a quick meal.
Top fast food restaurants in the U.S.
Quick Bites, Big Flavors: Unveiling the Best Fast Food Restaurants Across America"
Fast food isn't just about speed; it's a flavorful journey that satisfies cravings and sparks a nationwide love affair with quick, delicious bites.
The best fast food restaurants in America
From classic burgers to tasty tacos, these are the best fast-food restaurants in the US.
Welcome to my blog, where we're about to embark on a culinary adventure through the iconic and mouthwatering world of fast food in America.
American fast food chains have come a long way since White Castle opened its first restaurant in Wichita back in 1921. Before long, as cars moved faster and highways filled the landscape, fast food restaurants became a fixture from sea to shining sea.
Join me as we unravel the stories behind the menus, celebrate the innovations, and dive into the guilty pleasures that make fast food an irresistible part of American dining. From drive-thru wonders to the latest culinary concoctions, this blog is your passport to the best fast food experiences in the land of flavors. Let's satisfy those cravings and discover the artistry behind quick bites with big flavors!
In-N-Out
1. In-N-Out
There’s nothing clandestine about the 'secret' menu at In-N-Out—it even has a page on the Cali chain’s website. But the not-so-covert items still garner a cult-like following by those who make the pilgrimage out west for smashed burgers and animal-style fries. Besides, who can argue with the tastes of The Dude from The Big Lebowski?
Must-order: Double-double
Shake Shack
2. Shake Shack
Shake Shack is both a fast-food spot and a destination restaurant, depending on where you live. Make the queue at its original location in Madison Square Park for a leisurely (read: the lines are long) meal amid one of NYC's most beautiful green spaces. One thing is true of all Shake Shack locations (of which there are about 300 in the U.S.): the burgers are excellent and made from 100-percent, all-natural, Angus beef. And so are the all-beef hot dogs, crispy crinkle-cut fries and the milkshakes. If we’re being honest, we love it all.
Must-order: Shack Stack
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Photograph: Courtesy Popeye's
3. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
It’s all about the spice, people. Popeyes’ hush-hush blend imbues Cajun flavor into many of its beloved dishes, from the signature fried chicken and creamy mashed potatoes to those generously-seasoned fries. It’s no wonder the New Orleans-born restaurant has amassed an uber-passionate following.
Must-order: Spicy chicken
4. Chipotle
Chicken Burrito Bowl with Chips and Guacamole at Chipotle
Chipotle burrito bowls are usually a meal and a half. This one was no exception.
Year Opened: 1993
Original Location: Denver, Colorado
Chipotle put a spin on Mexican fast food with is made-to-order burritos, bowls, quesadillas, salads and tacos made from a variety of proteins, rices, beans, salsas and accoutrements. Some people call this popular chain fast casual instead of fast food. We just call it lunch.
Must-order:Chipotle
Chicken Burrito Bowl and Guacamole
Raising Cane's
Photograph: Courtesy Raising Cane's
5. Raising Cane's
Out of all the types of fast-food chains, those focused on chicken dishes are most in demand as of late. And none are expanding as quickly as Raising Cane's, which got its start in Baton Rouge, Louisana in the 1990s. The restaurant has found success by never straying from its original fan favorites: crispy chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and buttery Texas toast. This tried-and-true menu is working out, with plans to open another 100+ stores this year across the country.
Must-order: Chicken fingers
Zaxby's
Photograph: Courtesy Zaxby's
6. Zaxby's
Speaking of fried chicken, Zaxby’s is one of the rulers of the roost—at least in the South. Dreamed up by two childhood pals on a Statesboro, Georgia basketball court, the comfort-food spot slings out crispy bird in a number of forms (tenders, wings, etc.), plus a house-made, addictive Zax sauce.
Must-order: Chicken finger plate
Taco Bell
Photograph: Courtesy Taco Bell
7. Taco Bell
Taco Bell shows no sign of slowing down, debuting a new item seemingly every week. Hell, even its boozy cantinas are continuing to expand. But despite all the additions and newfangled spins on its Mexican fast food, one thing remains a constant: a stoner-friendly, late-night-worthy and cheap menu that hits all the right notes—if you’re stoned…or out super late…or broke.
Must-order: Taco Bell
Crunchwrap Supreme and TacosBurger King
Photograph: Courtesy Burger King
8. Burger King
Two words: flame broiled. Miami-born Burger King has made its mark with this signature cooking style since it first opened back in 1954. It's one of the few burger chains to use fresh toppings, was among the first to feature plant-based options and is known for its innovation. Anyone remember the black Whopper? And who could resist the rodeo burger? Surely, not us.
Must-order: Whopper
Biscuitville
Photograph: Courtesy Biscuitville
9. Biscuitville
As its name suggests, Biscuitville family-owned chain in North Carolina and Virginia is obsessed with biscuits. According to the company, the made-from-scratch pucks only call for three ingredients (flour, buttermilk and shortening) and get turned out every 15 minutes, guaranteeing warm, fluffy biscuits at all hours.
Must-order: Ultimate country ham biscuit
Wendy's
10. Wendy's
Fun fact for young folks: Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas starred in more than 800 commercials for the brand, hawking its burgers in a soft-spoken, grandfatherly demeanor. He passed away in 2002, but his signature never-frozen beef patties and iconic Frosty desserts live on.
Must-order: Chocolate Frosty
Maid-Rite
Photograph: Courtesy Maid-Rite
11. Maid-Rite
If you haven't spent much time in the Midwest, you may have never heard of Maid-Rite. Let us introduce you. This chain started in Iowa in the 1920s and is famous for its "loose meat" sandwiches. While that may not sound particularly enticing, trust us—a bite of the seasoned ground beef served on a warm bun will change your mind. The restaurant is still mainly in Iowa but has 11 locations outside of the state, including Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio.
Must-order: Maid-Rite sandwich
Whataburger
Photograph: Courtesy Whataburger
12. Whataburger’s,
Down south Whataburger’s orange and white stripes are almost as iconic as McDonald’s golden arches, signaling meaty goodness in the form of wide, thin patties on a toasted five-inch bun. They’re not just skilled with beef, however—as much as its namesake hits the spot, Whataburger devotees will tell you that there’s no better hangover cure than the honey butter chicken biscuit.
Must-order: Patty melt
Taco John's
Photograph: Courtesy Taco John's
13. Taco John's
For many Americans, the belief that Taco John's is far superior to Taco Bell is a hill they will die on. What started as a taco stand in Cheyenne, Wyoming back in 1969 is now a major fast-food chain with more than 400 restaurants across 23 states. The company has won hearts and stomachs with its crispy tacos and famous potato olés (round bites of crunchy potato, sprinkled with spices). Taco John's claims to have started the term when its owner marketed the phrase “Taco Twesday” for its 99 cents-for-two tacos deal. The company then actually trademarked "Taco Tuesday" for more than 40 years but recently gave it up after a legal dispute with Taco Bell.
Must-order: Potato olés
Arby's
Photograph: Courtesy Arby's
13. Arby's
Arby's While the fast-food powerhouse's slogan may be “we have the meats,” no meal at Arby's complete without a side of tough-to-quit curly fries. And 58 years into its run, Arby's still serves up those classic Roast Beef and Beef 'n Cheddars.
Must-order: Smokehouse brisket sandwich
Dairy Queen
Photograph: Courtesy Dairy Queen
14. Dairy Queen
There are few things as nostalgic—or satisfying—as watching a Dairy Queen clerk do the obligatory Blizzard flip. The hard part is, of course, deciding which add-in best complements DQ’s lusciously thick vanilla soft serve—the straightforward classics (Oreos, M&Ms) or the over-the-top combos (Turtle Pecan Cluster, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough)? Psst: The burgers ain't too shabby here either.
Must-order: Oreo Blizzard
Chick-fil-A
Year Opened: 1967
Original Location: Atlanta, Georgia
17.Chick-fil-A‘s conservative political positions have alienated many chicken sandwich loving clients to the point of boycott. While we firmly disagree with those political positions, we have to admit that Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwiches are among the best, if not the very best, at American fast food chains.
Must-try: Chick-fil-A
Chicken Sandwich, Waffle Fries and Lemonade
Culver's
Photograph: Courtesy Culver's
16. Culver's
True to its Wisconsin roots, the secret to Culver’s exceptional burger is butter. The patties come sandwiched between buns that get a swipe of dairy before hitting the grill, resulting in a delicious package that’s best paired with another Midwest specialty: frozen custard.
Must-try: ButterBurger
18.Five Guys
Hamburger and Fries at Five Guys in Philadelphia
A meal at Five Guys isn’t complete without a side of hand-cut fries.
Year Opened: 1986
Original Location: Arlington, Virginia
Unlike McDonalds and Arby’s, both of which started with two brothers, Five Guys started with five family members (a father and four sons). And, as if five isn’t enough, a fifth son later joined the family business.
Fun Fact
The original five guys included Jerry (the father) and brothers Jim, Matt, Chad and Ben. Baby brother Tyler later replaced father Jerry to become the company’s fifth guy.
19.Subway
Subway Sandwich with Turkey and Fixings
We walked to Subway to each this sandwich.
Year Opened: 1965
Original Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Subway has come a long way since 17-year old Fred DeLuca and family friend Peter Buck opened Pete’s Super Submarines in 1965. The duo changed the name to Subway in 1968, started franchising in 1974 and the rest, as they say, is sandwich history.
Subway now has locations in all 50 states and even more countries. Regardless of the geography, each shop offers a myriad of topping options that includes fresh veggies, cheeses and condiments. And, at least in the US, Subway’s bread is baked fresh daily.
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Fun Fact
We can smell the distinctively yeasty aroma of Subway’s bread from blocks away.
20.KFC
Year Opened: 1952
Original Franchise Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
People who eat buckets of fried chicken at KFC locations around the world probably never heard of Colonel Sanders and may not realize that the global fast food chain has roots in the US. After all, shrimp donuts and deep-fried corn soup may be ‘finger-lickin’ good but they aren’t exactly American food favorites.
Originally called Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC is a classic American success story that doubles as a fast food restaurant chain. Harland Sanders, i.e. the Colonel, came from humble roots before he opened his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky at age 40. Over the years, he created a secret recipe with ’11 herbs and spices’, donned a white uniform, grew a goatee and conquered the world of food.
Fun Fact
Harland Sanders wasn’t a colonel in the military. After Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon bestowed the honorary title upon him, Sanders ran with it.
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Beyond his persona, Sanders was a real deal chicken cook who used a pressure fryer and created a unique recipe that remains a secret to this day. We read that his recipe includes basil, black pepper, celery salt, dried mustard, garlic salt, ginger, oregano, paprika, salt, thyme and white pepper but we’re not really sure if this list is correct since, as previously noted, it’s a secret.
As i conclude this savory expedition through the world of fast food in America, I hope this culinary journey has left your taste buds tingling and your appetite for exploration satisfied.
From iconic classics to innovative newcomers, the fast-food landscape in America is as diverse as the nation itself. Whether you're a loyal fan of a beloved chain or an adventurous eater seeking the latest crave-worthy creation, one thing is clear—fast food isn't just a meal; it's a cultural phenomenon.
Remember, every drive-thru adventure and every late-night run for fries is a part of the delicious tapestry that defines American fast food.
Until our next rendezvous with flavors, happy eating and may your meals always be swift, satisfying, and, most importantly, filled with joy! 🍕🥤🍦
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