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.
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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