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
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
Augusta, Maine, USA downtown skyline on the Kennebec River.
- Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
- Approximate Locations: 100
- Specialty: Sandwiches
Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA skyline on the river at twilight.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
Detroit Aerial Panorama during sunset
- Most Popular Fast Food Chain: Subway
- Approximate Locations: 600
- Specialty: Sandwiches
Illinois
chicago skyline from the park
- 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.
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.
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
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