On June 25, 2024, McDonald’s will launch their latest deal in the fast food “Value-Menu War”. For the next month, you can purchase a combo meal with fries, a drink, and either four chicken nuggets, a McDouble, or a McChicken sandwich for just $5.
This is just one of many new budget-friendly items rolling out at McDonald’s during the current “Fast Food War”. Other franchises like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King are following suit as they offer their own value items starting at just $5 or $6.
This “Fast Food War” was brought on by countless complaints across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok as consumers lamented about the rising prices of fast food. Remember the good old days when you could swing by Wendy’s for a $5 lunch? Such budget-friendly prices seemed a thing of the past until this summer. Now fast food chains are rolling out their value menus in addition to additional discounts when you order through their mobile apps. (These are the most popular fast-food chains in all 50 states.)
The new value items are a welcome relief for budget-conscious consumers, particularly in America where fast food is king. A 2023 survey from Drive Research showed that 96% of Americans indulge in fast food at least once a year, and the average citizen eats it at least once a week. The sheer number of fast-food restaurants in the U.S. makes these options readily available for many Americans.
To determine which fast food franchises have the most locations in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR), a leading authority on news and trends in the fast food industry.
Why Are We Writing About Fast Food?
Fast food is often considered synonymous with America, especially for younger generations who spend a good part of their paycheck on these quick and easy meal options. The sheer number of locations of any given fast-food chain demonstrates the wealth and economic power they wield, significantly impacting not only the food service industry but also the health and economy of the communities they operate in.
Here are the fast-food chains with the most locations in the United States:
50. Shake Shack
Shake Shack is most well-known for its ShackBurger.
- U.S. Locations: 287
- Food Category: Burgers
49. Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme sells around 1.6 billion donuts each year.
- U.S. Locations: 352
- Food Category: Donuts
48. In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger has locations in five states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Texas.
- U.S. Locations: 379
- Food Category: Burgers
47. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy’s serves frozen custard along with its famous steakburgers.
- U.S. Locations: 456
- Food Category: Burgers
46. El Pollo Loco
Most El Pollo Loco locations are in the southwestern U.S.
- U.S. Locations: 490
- Food Category: Mexican Food
45. McAlister’s Deli
Don’t forget to order a sweet tea to accompany your sandwich from McAlister’s Deli.
- U.S. Locations: 525
- Food Category: Sandwiches
44. Del Taco
Fun Fact: Del Taco debuted its first drive-thru window nearly a decade before McDonald’s.
- U.S. Locations: 591
- Food Category: Mexican Food
43. Moe’s Southwest Grill
Moe’s is known for its burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and fresh salsas.
- U.S. Locations: 637
- Food Category: Mexican Food
42. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Raising Cane’s serves chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and the wildly popular Cane’s sauce.
- U.S. Locations: 646
- Food Category: Chicken
41. Dutch Bros Coffee
Most of Dutch Bros 671 locations are in the western U.S.
- U.S. Locations: 671
- Food Category: Coffee
40. Crumbl Cookies
Crumbl Cookies is the only franchise specializing in cookies to appear in the list.
- U.S. Locations: 688
- Food Category: Cookies
39. Qdoba
Qdoba is dedicated to “making the world a more flavorful place.”
- U.S. Locations: 728
- Food Category: Mexican Food
38. Bojangles
Bojangles’ 788 locations are primarily found in the southeastern U.S.
- U.S. Locations: 788
- Food Category: Chicken
37. Checkers/Rally’s
Rally’s and Checkers merged in 1999.
- U.S. Locations: 806
- Food Category: Burgers
36. Church’s Texas Chicken
Church’s is known as “Texas Chicken” outside the Americas, so the chain recently changed its name to “Church’s Texas Chicken.”
- U.S. Locations: 812
- Food Category: Chicken
35. Culver’s
The Culver’s ButterBurger is a beefy delight.
- U.S. Locations: 892
- Food Category: Burgers
34. Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s is famous for its chicken fingers, wings, and sandwiches.
- U.S. Locations: 922
- Food Category: Chicken
33. Whataburger
Whataburger makes its own sauces, including its wildly popular ketchup.
- U.S. Locations: 925
- Food Category: Burgers
32. Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza has locations in 35 states.
- U.S. Locations: 1,067
- Food Category: Pizza
31. Carl’s Jr.
Most Carl’s Jr. locations are in the western U.S.
- U.S. Locations: 1,068
- Food Category: Burgers
30. Papa Murphy’s
Papa Murphy’s “Take’N’Bake” pizza allows customers to bake their pizza in their own homes.
- U.S. Locations: 1,168
- Food Category: Pizza
29. Firehouse Subs
A portion of every purchase from Firehouse Subs is donated to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
- U.S. Locations: 1,187
- Food Category: Sandwiches
28. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Some of the most popular smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe include the Bahama Mama, Acai Berry Boost, Island Green, and Sunrise Sunset.
- U.S. Locations: 1,198
- Food Category: Smoothies
27. Five Guys
Five Guys is famous for its burgers and freshly made boardwalk-style fries.
- U.S. Locations: 1,409
- Food Category: Burgers
26. Hardee’s
Hardee’s serves burgers, but fans know that the breakfast (especially the biscuits) is the real star of the show.
- U.S. Locations: 1,707
- Food Category: Burgers
25. Wingstop
The most popular wing flavors at Wingstop include Lemon Pepper, Original Hot, and Hickory Smoked BBQ.
- U.S. Locations: 1,721
- Food Category: Chicken
24. Panera Bread
Panera’s bread bowls are among the most-ordered items on its menu.
- U.S. Locations: 2,102
- Food Category: Sandwiches
23. Jack in the Box
Burgers, tacos, and chicken are all served at Jack in the Box.
- U.S. Locations: 2,180
- Food Category: Burgers
22. Baskin-Robbins
Only one ice cream shop made this list: Baskin-Robbins.
- U.S. Locations: 2.253
- Food Category: Ice Cream
21. Panda Express
The menu at Panda Express features food with Chinese and Sichuan influences.
- U.S. Locations: 2,393
- Food Category: Chinese Food
20. Jersey Mike’s Subs
Founded in New Jersey (obviously), Jersey Mike’s now has locations in all 50 states.
- U.S. Locations: 2,397
- Food Category: Sandwiches
19. Jimmy John’s
Popular sandwiches at Jimmy John’s include The Pepe, Big John, and the Vito.
- U.S. Locations: 2,637
- Food Category: Sandwiches
18. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A makes a higher profit per location than any other U.S. fast food franchise, and it’s not even close.
- U.S. Locations: 2,837
- Food Category: Chicken
17. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Popeye’s serves popcorn shrimp in addition to its renowned chicken.
- U.S. Locations: 2,946
- Food Category: Chicken
16. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle is a favorite for burritos, bowls, and it’s famous guacamole.
- U.S. Locations: 3,129
- Food Category: Mexican Food
15. Papa John’s
Papa John’s is the fourth-largest pizza chain in the U.S.
- U.S. Locations: 3,376
- Food Category: Pizza
14. Arby’s
Arby’s welcomes carnivores with its well-known slogan, “We have the meats.”
- U.S. Locations: 3,415
- Food Category: Roast Beef
13. Sonic
Sonic’s menu includes burgers, chicken, hot dogs, and a huge variety of refreshing beverages.
- U.S. Locations: 3,546
- Food Category: Burgers
12. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Colonel Sanders’ original recipe of 11 herbs and spices is still used today.
- U.S. Locations: 3,918
- Food Category: Chicken
11. Little Caesars
If you’re looking for economical pizza, Little Caesars is the place.
- U.S. Locations: 4,173
- Food Category: Pizza
10. Dairy Queen
Burgers, fries, and the iconic Blizzards are all part of the DQ menu.
- U.S. Locations: 4,307
- Food Category: Burgers
9. Wendy’s
We’ll have a spicy chicken sandwich followed by a Frosty. Mmmm…
- U.S. Locations: 5,994
- Food Category: Burgers
8. Pizza Hut
The pan pizza from Pizza Hut is legendary.
- U.S. Locations: 6,561
- Food Category: Pizza
7. Domino’s
Domino’s is the largest pizza chain in the world.
- U.S. Locations: 6,686
- Food Category: Pizza
6. Burger King
Burger King is the home of the Whopper, one of the most famous burgers in the nation.
- U.S. Locations: 7,043
- Food Category: Burgers
5. Taco Bell
The iconic Mexican pizza returned as a permanent fixture on Taco Bell’s menu in 2022.
- U.S. Locations: 7,198
- Food Category: Mexican Food
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ sells more donuts than any other U.S. chain.
- U.S. Locations: 9,370
- Food Categories: Donuts/Coffee
3. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is synonymous with American fast food, but two other franchises have more U.S. locations than the Golden Arches.
- U.S. Locations: 13,444
- Food Category: Burgers
2. Starbucks
Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee chain.
- U.S. Locations: 15,873
- Food Category: Coffee
1. Subway
Subway has more U.S. locations than any other fast food brand.
- U.S. Locations: 20,576
- Food Category: Sandwiches
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