The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now

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

Number of US locations:828

Customer satisfaction rank: 16

Value rank: 37

23. Potbelly Sandwich Shop

it was an antique shop Bryant Keil

22. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

Headquarters: Champaign, Illinois

US sales in 2016: $2.22 billion

Number of US locations:2,620

Customer satisfaction rank: 30

Value rank: 15

opened the first shop back in 1983

commit to sustainability

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

Number of US locations:362

Customer satisfaction rank: 15

Value rank: 18

serves up

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

local and regional American favorites

16. Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Headquarters: Lorton, Virginia

US sales in 2016: $1.4 billion

Number of US locations:1,284

Customer satisfaction rank: 14

Value rank: 62

former bond trader Jerry Murrell

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

Number of US locations:825

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

started in 1995

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

chicken strips

1. In-N-Out Burger

opened in 1948 not-so-secret protein-style grilled cheese

The 25 best fast-food chains in America right now

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