The best fast food chains in America (2026)
The top 3 according to 233 votes from people: Jersey Mike's · Jimmy John's · Chick-fil-A. (Updated Oct 2, 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.
Top 15
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1
Jersey Mike's
84/100 — the sub chain's first year in the index and straight to number one, praised for freshness, variety and value.
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2
Jimmy John's
81/100 — fast sandwich delivery chain founded in Illinois in 1983.
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3
Chick-fil-A
83/100 — dethroned after 11 straight years at the top, still loved for its chicken sandwich and service.
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4
Papa John's
80/100 — the best-rated pizza chain alongside Pizza Hut and Domino's.
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5
KFC
80/100 — up 4% this year as the brand modernises.
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6
Domino's
80/100 — the world's biggest pizza delivery chain.
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7
Subway
79/100 — the chain with more locations than any other in the US.
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8
Arby's
77/100 — roast beef sandwiches and curly fries.
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9
Panda Express
81/100 — American Chinese food, home of the orange chicken (1987).
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10
Sonic
77/100 — drive-in burgers and slushes with carhops.
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11
Popeyes
73/100 — Louisiana fried chicken, the lowest-rated chicken chain this year.
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12
Dairy Queen
72/100 — famous for the Blizzard soft serve.
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13
Chipotle
77/100 — fast-casual burritos and bowls.
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14
Raising Cane's
79/100 — chicken fingers only, a minimal menu that customers rate highly in its first year in the study.
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15
McDonald's
72/100 — the world's biggest burger chain, near the bottom in satisfaction.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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16
Pizza Hut
80/100 — the pan pizza pioneer, founded in Wichita in 1958.
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17
Whataburger
Texas burger chain founded in Corpus Christi in 1950, famous for its orange-and-white A-frame restaurants.
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18
Wingstop
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.
Is something missing?
Comments (2)
No Whataburger? Texans are gonna riot 😂
Jersey Mike's at #1 over Chick-fil-A? Okay, the Mike's Way is pretty great, I'll allow it.