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These Are the Most Popular Fast-Food Restaurants in Every State—And One Biggie Didn’t Even Make the List!

Say what you will about fast food, but when you’re on the go (or just have a sudden craving for french fries) it can really hit the spot. In fact, more than 80% of Americans enjoy fast food at least once a month, and more than 40% have it four or more times a month. If you’re one of the fast-food majority, you know we all have our go-to chains and must-have menu items. But no matter where your loyalties lie, one big question remains: Which chains are actually the most popular?

Direct-to-consumer seafood shipper Maine Lobster Now wanted to get to the bottom of America’s fast-food love—and find out once and for all which fast-food chain reigns supreme in every state. Will your favorite fast-food spot also be your state’s favorite? And which mega-chain didn’t even rank? Keep reading as we get into Maine Lobster Now’s fast-food breakdown.

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How did the study determine the most popular fast-food restaurants?

The study analyzed fast-food ratings across the country using Google Maps, sticking with well-known chains: Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Five Guys, Wendy’s, In-N-Out Burger, KFC, Popeye’s, Taco Bell, Domino’s and Raising Cane’s. The team pulled restaurant ratings from thousands of Google Maps reviews from all 50 states, then calculated the average customer rating for each chain by state.

Comparing these averages revealed which chain had the highest rating in each state and across the country.

What is the No. 1 most popular fast-food restaurant?

Even though it’s closed for business every Sunday across the country, Chick-fil-A earned the title of the most popular fast-food restaurant in America! The chicken-centric chain earned the top ranking in a landslide 28 states—more than double the number of the second-place winner. That means that in more than half the country, Chick-fil-A reigns supreme!

Fans of Chick-fil-A keep going back not just for the delicious chicken sandwiches, but for the overall dining experience. According to the report, Chick-fil-A consistently delivers great customer service, creating strong customer loyalty. Plus, customers love the simple yet polished menu that caters to guests of all ages. Chick-fil-A is proof that the biggest chain isn’t always the best. It outperforms competitors, even in areas that offer diners an abundance of fast-food choices.

Did any other states come close?

Chick-fil-A dominated in more than half the states across the country, but it’s not the only beloved fast-food chain. In-N-Out Burger came in second place, earning top ranking in 13 states, mainly those in the West (though In-N-Out Burger did pick up a few loyal states in other parts of the country too).

According to the report, In-N-Out Burger is a favorite among diners because the ingredients are fresh, the burgers are made to order and the limited menu is perfectly executed. If you’ve ever been to an In-N-Out Burger grand opening, or even driven past one, the long lines wrapping around the building are proof of just how much people love the burger chain.

Five Guys, known for its fresh burgers and enormous portions of piping-hot fries, was ranked No. 1 in six states, a respectable performance to say the least. People in the Northeast and the Mountain West, where Five Guys ranked highest, evidently love that Five Guys offers complete burger customization and uses premium ingredients.

Which are the most popular fast-food restaurants in each state?

Did your state choose your go-to fast-food restaurant as its all-around favorite? Here’s the list of the most popular restaurant in every state:

  • Alabama: In-N-Out Burger
  • Alaska: Chick-fil-A
  • Arizona: Taco Bell
  • Arkansas: Chick-fil-A
  • California: In-N-Out Burger
  • Colorado: KFC
  • Connecticut: Chick-fil-A
  • Delaware: Chick-fil-A
  • Florida: Chick-fil-A
  • Georgia: Chick-fil-A
  • Hawaii: In-N-Out Burger
  • Idaho: In-N-Out Burger
  • Illinois: Chick-fil-A
  • Indiana: Chick-fil-A
  • Iowa: Chick-fil-A
  • Kansas: Chick-fil-A
  • Kentucky: Chick-fil-A
  • Louisiana: Raising Cane’s
  • Maine: Chick-fil-A
  • Maryland: Chick-fil-A
  • Massachusetts: Five Guys
  • Michigan: Chick-fil-A
  • Minnesota: In-N-Out Burger
  • Mississippi: Chick-fil-A
  • Missouri: Chick-fil-A
  • Montana: Five Guys
  • Nebraska: Chick-fil-A
  • Nevada: In-N-Out Burger
  • New Hampshire: Chick-fil-A
  • New Jersey: In-N-Out Burger
  • New Mexico: In-N-Out Burger
  • New York: In-N-Out Burger
  • North Carolina: Chick-fil-A
  • North Dakota: Five Guys
  • Ohio: Chick-fil-A
  • Oklahoma: Chick-fil-A
  • Oregon: In-N-Out Burger
  • Pennsylvania: Chick-fil-A
  • Rhode Island: Five Guys
  • South Carolina: Chick-fil-A
  • South Dakota: Five Guys
  • Tennessee: Chick-fil-A
  • Texas: In-N-Out Burger
  • Utah: In-N-Out Burger
  • Vermont: Chick-fil-A
  • Virginia: Chick-fil-A
  • Washington: In-N-Out Burger
  • West Virginia: Chick-fil-A
  • Wisconsin: Chick-fil-A
  • Wyoming: Five Guys

Which popular fast-food chain didn’t earn top ranking in any state?

Even though it’s one of the largest fast-food chains in the country—not to mention around the world—McDonald’s didn’t earn top ranking in a single state. McDonald’s has a much bigger advertising budget and far more restaurants than many of its competitors, and yet it was outranked across the board.

Interestingly, McDonald’s menu offers many of the same general menu items as the chains that performed better, including chicken nuggets, chicken strips, burgers and fries. While the report didn’t specify why McDonald’s didn’t come out on top, it’s possible that a few factors contributed to the surprising results. For starters, McDonald’s prices have been on the rise, and many lifelong fans have taken notice. Additionally, there’s always a debate about the quality of McDonald’s menu items and the freshness of the ingredients. But ultimately, without asking reviewers, it’s impossible to say for sure.

Were there any other big surprises?

The other big surprise is that being located in a state is not a prerequisite for popularity! Believe it or not, despite having locations in only eight states—California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho—In-N-Out Burger was the top-ranking chain in 13 states, grabbing the top spot in Alabama, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington, which don’t have In-N-Out Burgers at all. It just goes to show that brand loyalty defies state lines, which is why fans keep hoping to see In-N-Out Burger restaurants on the East Coast!

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Sources:

  • PRI Newswire: “Americans Are Redefining Fast Food — Nearly 1 in 4 Now Call it a ‘Treat’ or ‘Reward'”
  • Maine Lobster Now: “Most popular fast food chain by state, according to Google maps reviews”

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The post These Are the Most Popular Fast-Food Restaurants in Every State—And One Biggie Didn’t Even Make the List! appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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