# The best fast food chains in America (2026)

US fast food chains ranked by customer satisfaction in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index restaurant study (16,000+ customers surveyed, April 2025–March 2026). Score out of 100 in each item.

- 233 votes · 18 items
- Aug 13, 2026 · Amber Watson
- https://even.best/en/l/80/the-best-fast-food-chains-in-america-2026

## Top 15

1. **Jersey Mike's** (25 · ▲26 ▼1) — 84/100 — the sub chain's first year in the index and straight to number one, praised for freshness, variety and value.
2. **Jimmy John's** (17 · ▲19 ▼2) — 81/100 — fast sandwich delivery chain founded in Illinois in 1983.
3. **Chick-fil-A** (16 · ▲16 ▼0) — 83/100 — dethroned after 11 straight years at the top, still loved for its chicken sandwich and service.
4. **Papa John's** (13 · ▲15 ▼2) — 80/100 — the best-rated pizza chain alongside Pizza Hut and Domino's.
5. **KFC** (13 · ▲14 ▼1) — 80/100 — up 4% this year as the brand modernises.
6. **Domino's** (13 · ▲13 ▼0) — 80/100 — the world's biggest pizza delivery chain.
7. **Subway** (8 · ▲10 ▼2) — 79/100 — the chain with more locations than any other in the US.
8. **Arby's** (8 · ▲10 ▼2) — 77/100 — roast beef sandwiches and curly fries.
9. **Panda Express** (7 · ▲10 ▼3) — 81/100 — American Chinese food, home of the orange chicken (1987).
10. **Sonic** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — 77/100 — drive-in burgers and slushes with carhops.
11. **Popeyes** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — 73/100 — Louisiana fried chicken, the lowest-rated chicken chain this year.
12. **Dairy Queen** (7 · ▲9 ▼2) — 72/100 — famous for the Blizzard soft serve.
13. **Chipotle** (6 · ▲9 ▼3) — 77/100 — fast-casual burritos and bowls.
14. **Raising Cane's** (5 · ▲7 ▼2) — 79/100 — chicken fingers only, a minimal menu that customers rate highly in its first year in the study.
15. **McDonald's** (5 · ▲7 ▼2) — 72/100 — the world's biggest burger chain, near the bottom in satisfaction.
16. **Pizza Hut** (3 · ▲9 ▼6) — 80/100 — the pan pizza pioneer, founded in Wichita in 1958.
17. **Whataburger** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Texas burger chain founded in Corpus Christi in 1950, famous for its orange-and-white A-frame restaurants.
18. **Wingstop** (-1 · ▲4 ▼5) — 77/100 — chicken wings in a dozen flavours, new to the ranking.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.