Fast-Food Brands With the Most Locations in the United States - 24/7 Wall St.

Special Report

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Published: January 23, 2024 10:10 am

It is no secret that Americans have a long-standing love of fast food, but the sheer amount of fast food we consume might still be surprising. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Drive Research, 65% of Americans eat fast food at least once a week, with 13% eating it every day. Only 4% of Americans have not eaten fast food in the last 12 months.

On average, American consumers spend $148 a month on fast food. Millennials spend the most, dropping $213.87 per month at fast-food restaurants. Baby Boomers, on the other hand, only spend $59.43 per month on fast food, making them the only generation that spends less than $100 per month on this quick and convenient fare.

Here’s a look at where our fast-food dollars are going. These are the 50 fast-food franchises with the most locations in the U.S. (If you’re wondering which fast-food franchise is the most popular where you live, here are the most popular fast-food chains in all 50 states.)

24/7 Wall St. compiled this list of the 50 fast-food brands with the most U.S. locations using information from QSR (which stands for Quick-Service Restaurant). QSR is a leading authority on news and trends in the fast food industry.

50. Shake Shack

Shake Shack — Shake Shack is most well-known for its ShackBurger.

U.S. Locations: 287
Food Category: Burgers

49. Krispy Kreme

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 — 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 — Freddy’s serves frozen custard along with its famous steakburgers.

U.S. Locations: 456
Food Category: Burgers

46. El Pollo Loco

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

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

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 — 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 — 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

Dutch Bros — Most of Dutch Bros 671 locations are in the western U.S.

U.S. Locations: 671
Food Category: Coffee

40. Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl Cookies in Petaluma, California by Missvain — Crumbl Cookies is the only franchise specializing in cookies to appear in the list.

U.S. Locations: 688
Food Category: Cookies

39. Qdoba

Qdoba by Senapa — Qdoba is dedicated to “making the world a more flavorful place.”

U.S. Locations: 728
Food Category: Mexican Food

38. Bojangles

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 — Rally’s and Checkers merged in 1999.

U.S. Locations: 806
Food Category: Burgers

36. Church’s Texas Chicken

Churchs Texas Chicken by Sikander Iqbal — 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

Culvers by Michael Rivera — The Culver’s ButterBurger is a beefy delight.

U.S. Locations: 892
Food Category: Burgers

34. Zaxby’s

Zaxbys by Michael Rivera — Zaxby’s is famous for its chicken fingers, wings, and sandwiches.

U.S. Locations: 922
Food Category: Chicken

33. Whataburger

Whataburger — Whataburger makes its own sauces, including its wildly popular ketchup.

U.S. Locations: 925
Food Category: Burgers

32. Marco’s Pizza

Marcos Pizza by Mjrmtg — Marco’s Pizza has locations in 35 states.

U.S. Locations: 1,067
Food Category: Pizza

31. Carl’s Jr.

Carl's Jr Restaurant — Most Carl’s Jr. locations are in the western U.S.

U.S. Locations: 1,068
Food Category: Burgers

30. Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphys by Crackerfist1010 — 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

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

Tropical Smoothie Cafe by Michael Rivera — 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 by JJBers from Willimantic, Connecticut, USA — Five Guys is famous for its burgers and freshly made boardwalk-style fries.

U.S. Locations: 1,409
Food Category: Burgers

26. Hardee’s

Hardees by Michael Steeber from USA — 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

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 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

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

Baskin-Robbins — Only one ice cream shop made this list: Baskin-Robbins.

U.S. Locations: 2.253
Food Category: Ice Cream

21. Panda Express

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

Jersey Mikes Subs by Michael Rivera — 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

Jimmy Johns by Kzoo Cowboy — 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 — 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 — Popeye’s serves popcorn shrimp in addition to its renowned chicken.

U.S. Locations: 2,946
Food Category: Chicken

16. Chipotle Mexican Grill

Exterior - Chipotle Mexican Gr... by Aranami — 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 — Papa John’s is the fourth-largest pizza chain in the U.S.

U.S. Locations: 3,376
Food Category: Pizza

14. Arby’s

An Arby's Restaurant In Dawsonville, Georgia — 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 — 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

KFC by Harrison Keely — Colonel Sanders’ original recipe of 11 herbs and spices is still used today.

U.S. Locations: 3,918
Food Category: Chicken

11. Little Caesars

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

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

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

Pizza Hut — The pan pizza from Pizza Hut is legendary.

U.S. Locations: 6,561
Food Category: Pizza

7. Domino’s

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 — 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

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' — Dunkin’ sells more donuts than any other U.S. chain.

U.S. Locations: 9,370
Food Categories: Donuts/Coffee

3. McDonald’s

McDonald's drive-thru — 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 — Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee chain.

U.S. Locations: 15,873
Food Category: Coffee

1. Subway

Subway — Subway has more U.S. locations than any other fast food brand.

U.S. Locations: 20,576
Food Category: Sandwiches

Read more: Special Report, burgers, chains, fast food, fries, hamburgers, McDonalds, restaurants, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, Food

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