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 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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