Almost everybody in the U.S. eats fast food at least once in a while, and some consume it a lot more often than that. According to industry estimates, at least 30% of Americans (children included) eat fast food daily – and a staggering 83% of families in this country eat it at least once a week, either in a restaurant or in takeout form. (It turns out that Americans are clueless about how many calories are actually in their fast food.)
As with just about any other food preference, however, the specifics vary from state to state. In some places, regional chains are preferred. Nebraska’s favorite is Runza, founded in the capital city of Lincoln and specializing in the Eastern European dough pockets of that name (also called bierocks), filled with various combinations of meat and other ingredients. In Texas, the state’s own Whataburger is held in the highest repute. Other states stay with the tried-and-true giants (you know their names).
To determine the most popular fast food chain in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed research conducted by the International Drivers Association, a Singapore-based source for international driving permits, based on Google search data the organization collected from Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs. Search numbers are rounded off.
Many state-by-state lists of most popular chains list only a handful of brands – big ones like McDonald’s, Dunkin’, and Chick-fil-A. Surprisingly, McDonald’s – like such other massive quick-service giants as KFC, Taco Bell, and Starbucks – appears only once on this list. Dunkin’ wins out with four mentions in all, followed by Chick-fil-A and Culver’s with three each, and In-N-Out Burger, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and Bojangles’ with two apiece. All the rest can claim primacy in only one state. (See where these place on our list of the most successful restaurant chains in America.)
Alabama
> Chain: Church’s Chicken
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.4 million
Alaska
> Chain: Sonic Drive-In
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 800,000
Arizona
> Chain: In-N-Out Burger
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.2 million
Arkansas
> Chain: Chick-fil-A
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1 million
California
> Chain: Taco Bell
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 7 million
Colorado
> Chain: Culver’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.5 million
Connecticut
> Chain: Five Guys
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.3 million
Delaware
> Chain: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 600,000
Florida
> Chain: McDonald’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 8 million
Georgia
> Chain: Waffle House
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.5 million
Hawaii
> Chain: Jolibee
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 900,000
Idaho
> Chain: Jack in the Box
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 850,000
Illinois
> Chain: Portillo’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 3 million
Indiana
> Chain: Steak ‘n Shake
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.7 million
Iowa
> Chain: Pizza Ranch
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.2 million
Kansas
> Chain: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1 million
Kentucky
> Chain: KFC
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.3 million
Louisiana
> Chain: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.1 million
Maine
> Chain: Dunkin’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 700,000
Maryland
> Chain: Chick-fil-A
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.6 million
Massachusetts
> Chain: Dunkin’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 3.2 million
Michigan
> Chain: Little Caesars
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.4 million
Minnesota
> Chain: Dairy Queen
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2 million
Mississippi
> Chain: Zaxby’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 900,000
Missouri
> Chain: Panera Bread
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.8 million
Montana
> Chain: Wendy’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 750,000
Nebraska
> Chain: Runza
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 800,000
Nevada
> Chain: In-N-Out Burger
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.7 million
New Hampshire
> Chain: Dunkin’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 600,000
New Jersey
> Chain: White Castle
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.1 million
New Mexico
> Chain: Blake’s Lotaburger
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 700,000
New York
> Chain: Shake Shack
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 6.5 million
North Carolina
> Chain: Bojangles’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.3 million
North Dakota
> Chain: Taco John’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 400,000
Ohio
> Chain: Skyline Chili
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2 million
Oklahoma
> Chain: Braum’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.5 million
Oregon
> Chain: Dutch Bros. Coffee
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.6 million
Pennsylvania
> Chain: Wawa
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 4 million
Rhode Island
> Chain: Dunkin’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 600,000
South Carolina
> Chain: Bojangles’
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.4 million
South Dakota
> Chain: Culver’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 500,000
Tennessee
> Chain: Krystal
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.6 million
Texas
> Chain: Whataburger
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 7 million
Utah
> Chain: Cafe Rio
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1 million
Vermont
> Chain: Ben & Jerry’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 400,000
Virginia
> Chain: Chick-fil-A
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.1 million
Washington
> Chain: Starbucks
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 3 million
West Virginia
> Chain: Krispy Kreme
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 1.2 million
Wisconsin
> Chain: Culver’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 2.5 million
Wyoming
> Chain: Arby’s
> Google searches (July 2022-June 2023): 450,000