Americans can't get enough fast food, which is why it represents a $238 billion and growing industry in the US, according to the market-research firm Euromonitor.
The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now
Business Insider teamed up with Restaurant Business to rank top national fast-food chains by sales, customer satisfaction, and value.
But fast-food lovers aren't loyal only to legacy chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Taco Bell. In fact, these giants don't even break the top 25 in our latest ranking of the top fast-food chains in America.
Business Insider teamed up with Restaurant Business, a publication that focuses on the food-service industry, to compile this list. Using proprietary data collected by Restaurant Business and its sister research firm Technomic from 2016, we looked at nearly 100 of the largest US chains and rated them on three criteria we considered the most telling for all-around fast-food excellence: financial performance, customer satisfaction, and overall value. Our calculations accounted for sales growth, average sales at each location, consumer-sentiment ratings, and the average cost of a meal, among other metrics.
Keep reading to see the 25 best fast-food chains in America right now.
Emmie Martin, Tanza Loudenback, and Alexa Pipia contributed to an earlier version of this article.
25. Jet's Pizza
Headquarters: Sterling Heights, Michigan
US sales in 2016: $368 million
Number of US locations: 404
Customer satisfaction rank: 24
Value rank: 35
Brothers Eugene and John Jetts opened the first Jet's Pizza restaurant in Michigan in 1978, and since then it has spread to 18 US states.
Jet's claims not to scrimp on ingredients. And
24. Jamba Juice
Headquarters: Frisco, Texas
US sales in 2016: $547 million
Customer satisfaction rank: 16
Value rank: 37
23. Potbelly Sandwich Shop
22. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
Headquarters: Champaign, Illinois
US sales in 2016: $2.22 billion
Customer satisfaction rank: 30
Value rank: 15
21. Firehouse Subs
Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida
US sales in 2016: $683 million
Number of US restaurants: 1,037
Customer satisfaction rank: 8
Value rank: 6
20. Cold Stone Creamery
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
US sales in 2016: $362 million
Number of US restaurants: 905
Customer satisfaction rank: 4
Value rank: 30
It's not just an ice-cream parlor: Cold Stone Creamery serves up smoothies, cakes, and shakes also. The ice cream is freshly made every day in the stores and blended on a frozen granite stone, which keeps the temperature exactly the same.
Cold Stone also supports community projects, working closely with Best Buddies, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities to secure jobs and live independently.
19. Tim Hortons
Headquarters: Oakville, Canada
US sales in 2016: $760 million
Number of US restaurants: 683
Customer satisfaction rank: 44
Value rank: 36
This Canadian chain, known for its coffee and donuts, has also become a favorite in the US. It was set up in 1964 by Tim Horton, a former National Hockey League legend in Canada.
Horton started off by selling coffee and donuts, which cost 10 cents each, but by the '80s he added muffins, cakes, soups, and chili into the mix. These are now staples on the menu.
The cafe also offers Cold Stone Creamery ice cream in certain locations.
18. Schlotzsky's
Headquarters: Atlanta
US sales in 2016: $338 million
Customer satisfaction rank: 15
Value rank: 18
17. McAlister's Deli
Headquarters: Ridgeland, Mississippi
US sales in 2016: $593 million
Number of US restaurants: 387
Customer satisfaction rank: 22
Value rank: 14
16. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Headquarters: Lorton, Virginia
US sales in 2016: $1.4 billion
Customer satisfaction rank: 14
Value rank: 62
The chain is off-limits to those with peanut allergies, as all fries are cooked in peanut oil and there are barrels of old-fashioned peanuts lining each shop’s dining area.
15. Cinnabon
Headquarters: Atlanta
US sales in 2016: $163 million
Number of US locations: 836
Customer satisfaction rank: 12
Value rank: 33
14. Ben & Jerry's
13. The Habit Burger Grill
Headquarters: Irvine, California
US sales in 2016: $298 million
Number of US restaurants: 172
Customer satisfaction rank: 10
Value rank: 21
12. Marco's Pizza
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio
US sales in 2016: $489 million
Number of US locations: 770
Customer satisfaction rank: 21
Value rank: 13
This cheap pizza joint first opened in Toledo in 1978. Today, it has 800 restaurants across the US, the Bahamas, India, and Puerto Rico.
The menu has grown too, and Marco's now offers sandwiches, hot chicken wings, and salads, along with multiple sauces to go with each dish.
11. Zaxby's
Headquarters: Athens, Georgia
US sales in 2016: $1.7 billion
Customer satisfaction rank: 32
Value rank: 46
10. Jersey Mike's Subs
Headquarters: Manasquan, New Jersey
US sales in 2016: $825 million
Number of US restaurants: 1,187
Customer satisfaction rank: 11
Value rank: 41
9. Culver's
8. Jason's Deli
Headquarters: Beaumont, Texas
US sales in 2016: $702 million
Number of US restaurants: 260
Customer satisfaction rank: 9
Value rank: 12
7. Papa Murphy's Pizza
6. Pollo Campero
Headquarters: Dallas
US sales in 2016: $111 million
Number of US restaurants: 68
Customer satisfaction rank: 13
Value rank: 4
5. Krispy Kreme
Headquarters:
4. Whataburger
3. Chick-fil-A
Headquarters: Atlanta
US sales in 2016: $6.7 billion
Number of US restaurants: 2,062
Customer satisfaction rank: 2
Value rank: 3
2. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Headquarters: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
US sales in 2016: $741 million
Number of US restaurants: 306
Customer satisfaction rank: 3
Value rank: 5
1. In-N-Out Burger
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