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Most Popular Fast Food Chain in Every State

Most Popular Fast Food Chain in Every State

They may not always admit it, but apparently almost everybody in this country eats fast food at least once in a while – and some consume it a lot more often than that. About a third of Americans (children included) eat fast food every day, industry sources say, and statistics suggest that a staggering 83% of American families eat fast food (in a restaurant or takeout) at least once a week. 

The assembly-line fare these places serve, often made with ingredients of marginal quality and almost always overloaded with sodium and saturated fat, is hardly healthy. Regular consumption of burgers, fried chicken, tacos, and other staples of the genre has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and even depression. (These are the unhealthiest items at the most popular fast food chains.)

On the other hand, sometimes people just have a hard time resisting a Big Mac, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Wings, or a Crunchwrap Supreme, and it probably won’t do them much damage as long as it’s just an occasional thing.

As with just about anything else, however, the specifics of what kind of fast food people prefer varies from state to state.

To determine the most popular fast food chain in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed “Most Popular Fast Food by State,” published by Top Data, part of the international branding, marketing, and public relations firm Top Agency. Top Data analyzed consumer tracking data as an indicator of visits to each chain’s locations in June 2022. Alaska and Hawaii did not have data.

The chain that is most popular in the highest number of states turns out to be Chick-fil-A, which holds the No. 1 spot in 10 states. Close behind is Smashburger, the favorite in eight states. Not surprisingly, the Southern California-based cult favorite In-N-Out Burger rules in its home state and three other states in the West. 

Perhaps less expected is that Whataburger, founded in Corpus Christi and headquartered in San Antonio, isn’t the favorite in Texas – A&W is. Florida, however, loves Whataburger best. (These are he best burgers you can get at a fast food restaurant.)

Source: PaulMcKinnon / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Alabama
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: A&W Restaurants
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Church’s Chicken
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: Susan Vineyard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Arizona
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant In-N-Out Burger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Church’s Chicken

Source: Brett_Hondow / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Arkansas
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: MichaelGordon1 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

California
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: In-N-Out Burger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: lawcain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Colorado
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Taco Bell
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Del Taco

Source: Fang Zheng / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Connecticut
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger

Source: bankrx / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Delaware
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: KFC
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Arby’s
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s

Source: typhoonski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Florida
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Whataburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: M. Suhail / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Georgia
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Idaho
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Source: 5chw4r7z / Flickr

Illinois
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Del Taco
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A

Source: averagejane / Flickr

Indiana
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant White Castle

Source: Brycia James / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Iowa
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant A&W Restaurants
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Kansas
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant A&W Restaurants
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s

Source: 5chw4r7z / Flickr

Kentucky
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Jason’s Deli
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Which Wich

Source: 5chw4r7z / Flickr

Louisiana
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Carl’s Jr.

Source: lawcain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Maine
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Burger King
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant KFC

Source: shaunl / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Maryland
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: A&W Restaurants
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Massachusetts
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Burger King

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Michigan
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Church’s Chicken

Source: Susan Vineyard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Minnesota
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Shake Shack
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Mississippi
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Church’s Chicken
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

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Source: plherrera / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Missouri
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant A&W Restaurants
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: z0 / Flickr

Montana
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant A&W Restaurants

Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Nebraska
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Nevada
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: In-N-Out Burger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant El Pollo Loco
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

New Hampshire
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Whataburger

Source: jetcityimage / Getty Images

New Jersey
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Church’s Chicken
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Shake Shack
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New Mexico
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Whataburger

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

New York
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Church’s Chicken
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Shake Shack
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco John’s

Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

North Carolina
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: A&W Restaurants
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

North Dakota
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: KFC
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: PaulMcKinnon / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Ohio
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Oklahoma
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: A&W Restaurants
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Del Taco
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger

Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Oregon
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: In-N-Out Burger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A

Source: averagejane / Flickr

Pennsylvania
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Smashburger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Del Taco
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: marcnorman / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Rhode Island
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Burger King
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger

Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

South Carolina
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Five Guys
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Church’s Chicken

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

South Dakota
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Taco Bell
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Wendy’s
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s

Source: Brycia James / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Tennessee
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco John’s
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: Mav. / Wikimedia Commons

Texas
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: A&W Restaurants
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant In-N-Out Burger
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: anouchka / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Utah
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: In-N-Out Burger
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Del Taco
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

Vermont
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Burger King
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: Manuel Milan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Virginia
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Five Guys
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Smashburger

Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Washington
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill

Source: jeepersmedia / Flickr

West Virginia
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chick-fil-A
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

Source: Paulbr / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Wisconsin
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Taco Bell

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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Wyoming
> Favorite fast-food restaurant: Hardee’s
> 2nd favorite fast-food restaurant McDonald’s
> 3rd favorite fast-food restaurant Wendy’s

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