On June 25, 2024, McDonald’s will launch their latest deal in the fast food “Value-Menu War”. For the next month, you can purchase a combo meal with fries, a drink, and either four chicken nuggets, a McDouble, or a McChicken sandwich for just $5.
This is just one of many new budget-friendly items rolling out at McDonald’s during the current “Fast Food War”. Other franchises like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King are following suit as they offer their own value items starting at just $5 or $6.
This “Fast Food War” was brought on by countless complaints across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok as consumers lamented about the rising prices of fast food. Remember the good old days when you could swing by Wendy’s for a $5 lunch? Such budget-friendly prices seemed a thing of the past until this summer. Now fast food chains are rolling out their value menus in addition to additional discounts when you order through their mobile apps. (These are the most popular fast-food chains in all 50 states.)
The new value items are a welcome relief for budget-conscious consumers, particularly in America where fast food is king. A 2023 survey from Drive Research showed that 96% of Americans indulge in fast food at least once a year, and the average citizen eats it at least once a week. The sheer number of fast-food restaurants in the U.S. makes these options readily available for many Americans.
To determine which fast food franchises have the most locations in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR), a leading authority on news and trends in the fast food industry.
Why Are We Writing About Fast Food?
Fast food is often considered synonymous with America, especially for younger generations who spend a good part of their paycheck on these quick and easy meal options. The sheer number of locations of any given fast-food chain demonstrates the wealth and economic power they wield, significantly impacting not only the food service industry but also the health and economy of the communities they operate in.
Here are the fast-food chains with the most locations in the United States:
50. Shake Shack
- U.S. Locations: 287
- Food Category: Burgers
49. Krispy Kreme
- U.S. Locations: 352
- Food Category: Donuts
48. In-N-Out Burger
- U.S. Locations: 379
- Food Category: Burgers
47. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
- U.S. Locations: 456
- Food Category: Burgers
46. El Pollo Loco
- U.S. Locations: 490
- Food Category: Mexican Food
45. McAlister’s Deli
- U.S. Locations: 525
- Food Category: Sandwiches
44. Del Taco
- U.S. Locations: 591
- Food Category: Mexican Food
43. Moe’s Southwest Grill
- U.S. Locations: 637
- Food Category: Mexican Food
42. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
- U.S. Locations: 646
- Food Category: Chicken
41. Dutch Bros Coffee
- U.S. Locations: 671
- Food Category: Coffee
40. Crumbl Cookies
- U.S. Locations: 688
- Food Category: Cookies
39. Qdoba
- U.S. Locations: 728
- Food Category: Mexican Food
38. Bojangles
- U.S. Locations: 788
- Food Category: Chicken
37. Checkers/Rally’s
- U.S. Locations: 806
- Food Category: Burgers
36. Church’s Texas Chicken
- U.S. Locations: 812
- Food Category: Chicken
35. Culver’s
- U.S. Locations: 892
- Food Category: Burgers
34. Zaxby’s
- U.S. Locations: 922
- Food Category: Chicken
33. Whataburger
- U.S. Locations: 925
- Food Category: Burgers
32. Marco’s Pizza
- U.S. Locations: 1,067
- Food Category: Pizza
31. Carl’s Jr.
- U.S. Locations: 1,068
- Food Category: Burgers
30. Papa Murphy’s
- U.S. Locations: 1,168
- Food Category: Pizza
29. Firehouse Subs
- U.S. Locations: 1,187
- Food Category: Sandwiches
28. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- U.S. Locations: 1,198
- Food Category: Smoothies
27. Five Guys
- U.S. Locations: 1,409
- Food Category: Burgers
26. Hardee’s
- U.S. Locations: 1,707
- Food Category: Burgers
25. Wingstop
- U.S. Locations: 1,721
- Food Category: Chicken
24. Panera Bread
- U.S. Locations: 2,102
- Food Category: Sandwiches
23. Jack in the Box
- U.S. Locations: 2,180
- Food Category: Burgers
22. Baskin-Robbins
- U.S. Locations: 2.253
- Food Category: Ice Cream
21. Panda Express
- U.S. Locations: 2,393
- Food Category: Chinese Food
20. Jersey Mike’s Subs
- U.S. Locations: 2,397
- Food Category: Sandwiches
19. Jimmy John’s
- U.S. Locations: 2,637
- Food Category: Sandwiches
18. Chick-fil-A
- U.S. Locations: 2,837
- Food Category: Chicken
17. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- U.S. Locations: 2,946
- Food Category: Chicken
16. Chipotle Mexican Grill
- U.S. Locations: 3,129
- Food Category: Mexican Food
15. Papa John’s
- U.S. Locations: 3,376
- Food Category: Pizza
14. Arby’s
- U.S. Locations: 3,415
- Food Category: Roast Beef
13. Sonic
- U.S. Locations: 3,546
- Food Category: Burgers
12. Kentucky Fried Chicken
- U.S. Locations: 3,918
- Food Category: Chicken
11. Little Caesars
- U.S. Locations: 4,173
- Food Category: Pizza
10. Dairy Queen
- U.S. Locations: 4,307
- Food Category: Burgers
9. Wendy’s
- U.S. Locations: 5,994
- Food Category: Burgers
8. Pizza Hut
- U.S. Locations: 6,561
- Food Category: Pizza
7. Domino’s
- U.S. Locations: 6,686
- Food Category: Pizza
6. Burger King
- U.S. Locations: 7,043
- Food Category: Burgers
5. Taco Bell
- U.S. Locations: 7,198
- Food Category: Mexican Food
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
- U.S. Locations: 9,370
- Food Categories: Donuts/Coffee
3. McDonald’s
- U.S. Locations: 13,444
- Food Category: Burgers
2. Starbucks
- U.S. Locations: 15,873
- Food Category: Coffee
1. Subway
- U.S. Locations: 20,576
- Food Category: Sandwiches
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The post This Fast-Food Chain Has the Most US Locations, and It’s Not McDonald’s appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..