Fast food is an American creation. No other country comes close to the breadth of quick and affordable food options available to consumers. A survey by Sponsorship Research International polled 7,000 individuals across six countries and found that McDonald’s signature ‘golden arches’ were more recognizable than the Christian cross.

But what does data within the United States show? Which fast food location is the most popular in each of the 50 states? As popularity can be subjective, and has limitations with survey responses, we looked at the approximate number of locations for a variety of chains across each state in the U.S., and a few surprised us! (Click here for a list of the most successful restaurant chains in the U.S.)

Reviewing data from CSUN.edu, Word Population Review, and other dining databases McDonald’s golden arches certainly fared well, but they aren’t the only winner here.

Delaware

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 40
• Specialty: Fast Food

Vermont

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 40
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Wyoming

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 40
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Alaska

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 60
• Specialty: Sandwiches

North Dakota

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 70
• Specialty: Sandwiches

South Dakota

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 70
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Hawaii

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 75
• Specialty: Fast Food

Alabama

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Chick-fil-A
• Approximate Locations: 90
• Specialty: Chicken

Nebraska

Omaha downtown skyline during Autumn, with a lake at the Heartland of America Park in the foreground

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 100
• Specialty: Fast Food

Montana

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 100
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Idaho

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 100
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Maine

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 100
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA skyline on the river at twilight.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Fast Food

Kansas

Wichita, Kansas, USA downtown skyline at dusk.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Fast Food

Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi, USA skyline over the Capitol Building.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Nevada

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Fast Food

New Mexico

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Rhode Island

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Dunkin’
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Coffee and Donuts

West Virginia

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 150
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Oregon

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 200
• Specialty: Fast Food

New Hampshire

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Dunkin’
• Approximate Locations: 200
• Specialty: Coffee and Donuts

Utah

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 200
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Kentucky

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 200
• Specialty: Fast Food

Iowa

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 200
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Louisiana

– Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
– Approximate Locations: 200
– Type of Food: Fast Food

Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, USA downtown city skyline.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Chick-fil-A
• Approximate Locations: 230
• Specialty: Chicken

Colorado

Dawn at Maroon Bells With Autumn Aspen Trees and Maroon Lake in the Rocky Mountains near Aspen Colorado

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 250
• Specialty: Fast Food

Connecticut

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 250
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Maryland

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 250
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Oklahoma

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 250
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee downtown skyline at twilight

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Fast Food

South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, USA in the French Quarter.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Fast Food

Wisconsin

Aerial view of Madison city downtown at sunset, Wisconsin

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Fast Food

Minnesota

Aerial view of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Lowry Ave bridge over the Mississippi river

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Arizona

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Fast Food

Missouri

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 300
• Specialty: Fast Food

Indiana

Aerial view of Indianapolis, Indiana skyline above Indiana World War Memorial and University park, and along Meridian and Pennsylvania streets.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 350
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Virginia

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 400
• Specialty: Fast Food

Michigan

Detroit Aerial Panorama during sunset

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
• Approximate Locations: 600
• Specialty: Sandwiches

Illinois

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
•  Approximate Locations: 650
• Specialty: Fast Food

Washington

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Starbucks
• Approximate Locations: 650
• Specialty: Coffee

Pennsylvania

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 700
• Specialty: Fast Food

New Jersey

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Dunkin’
• Approximate Locations: 700
• Specialty: Coffee and Donuts

North Carolina

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 700
• Specialty: Fast Food

Ohio

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 850
• Specialty: Fast Food

 Florida

Orlando, Florida, USA Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 1000
• Specialty: Fast Food

Massachusetts

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Dunkin’
• Approximate Locations: 1100
• Specialty: Coffee and Donuts

Texas

Houston, Texas, USA Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama.

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 1200
• Specialty: Fast Food

New York

Buildings in Manhattan, New York

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Dunkin’
• Approximate Locations: 1300
• Specialty: Coffee and Donuts

California

• Most Popular Fast Food Chain: McDonald’s
• Approximate Locations: 1500
• Specialty: Fast Food

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