Food

This Fast-Food Chain Has the Most US Locations, and It’s Not McDonald’s

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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?

Restaurant worker serving two fast food meals with smile. woman holding tray with salads at fast food restaurant
BlueSkyImage / Shutterstock.com

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
mizoula / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Shake Shack is most well-known for its ShackBurger.
  • U.S. Locations: ​287
  • Food Category: Burgers

49. Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme
KathyDewar / Getty Images
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
slobo / Getty Images
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
krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Freddy’s serves frozen custard along with its famous steakburgers.
  • U.S. Locations: ​456
  • Food Category: Burgers

46. El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco
Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
MattGush / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Juanmonino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Bojangles’ 788 locations are primarily found in the southeastern U.S.
  • U.S. Locations: 788
  • Food Category: Chicken

37. Checkers/Rally’s

Rally's
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Brett_Hondow / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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.

Carl's Jr Restaurant
Dave Rowland / Getty Images News via Getty Images
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

Firehouse Subs
krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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

Wingstop
JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Wolterk / Getty Images
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
SweetBabeeJay / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Only one ice cream shop made this list: Baskin-Robbins.
  • U.S. Locations: 2.253
  • Food Category: Ice Cream

21. Panda Express

Panda Express
Juanmonino / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
Susan Vineyard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
Rick Diamond / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
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
Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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

Little Caesars
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The pan pizza from Pizza Hut is legendary.
  • U.S. Locations: 6,561
  • Food Category: Pizza

7. Domino’s

Domino's
jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Domino’s is the largest pizza chain in the world.
  • U.S. Locations: 6,686
  • Food Category: Pizza

6. Burger King

Burger King
RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
lawcain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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'
Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images News via Getty Images
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
tupungato / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
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
JohnFScott / Getty Images
Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee chain.
  • U.S. Locations: 15,873
  • Food Category: Coffee

1. Subway

Subway
Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Subway has more U.S. locations than any other fast food brand.
  • U.S. Locations: 20,576
  • Food Category: Sandwiches

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