Fast food restaurants are as busy as ever during the pandemic thanks to conveniences like drive-thrus and relatively inexpensive prices. But which ones are the most popular? TOP Data has compiled information to determine the top five fast food restaurants in each of the lower 48 states. The data was collected from June 12, 2019 to June 12, 2020. Including a few months worth of pandemic quarantine in the study may have contributed to Sonic, a drive-in restaurant, being the most popular in 14 states. That doesn’t mean spots like McDonald’s or Subway are slacking though, since they both appear in every state’s top five.
Related: The Best Value Meal Deals at 28 Fast Food Chains Across the Country
Alabama: Sonic
McDonald’s
Chick-fil-A
Taco Bell
Subway
Sonic, headquartered in Oklahoma, dominates most of the Southern United States, including Alabama. Chick-fil-A, often considered a Southern chain, makes a strong showing in Alabama with third place.
Related: 20 Fast Food Restaurants Then and Now
Arizona: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Wendy’s
Between great year-round weather and COVID-19 social distancing concerns, it makes sense that a drive-in restaurant like Sonic would do well in Arizona.
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Sonic
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Chick-fil-A
Sonic is the most popular fast food stop in Arkansas as well, while Chick-fil-A rounds out the top five.
California: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
In-N-Out
Subway
Panda Express
Perennial favorite McDonald’s is tops in California, which was where the company was founded in 1940. The beloved Southwestern U.S. chain In-N-Out, known for its burger and fries served “animal style,” makes one of its first appearances on the list here too.
Colorado: Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Coloradans love their chicken sandwiches, apparently, since Chick-fil-A is tops in their state. Interestingly, Chipotle, which was founded in Colorado, doesn’t even make the top five here.
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Connecticut: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonald’s
Subway
Known for its square hamburger patties, chili and Frostys, Wendy’s is the most popular fast food in Connecticut. Subway rounds out the top five, something it does in an impressive 30 other states.
Related: We Tasted All 9 Wendy’s Breakfast Sandwiches and This Is the Best
Delaware: Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonald’s
Subway
Who knew Delaware enjoyed its fried chicken sandwiches so much? Chick-fil-A heads up the list here, followed by Taco Bell.
Florida: Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Burger King
Subway
Chick-fil-A is headquartered in neighboring Georgia, so it’s not too surprising that those iconic chicken sandwiches are the most popular in Florida.
Related: 19 Best Fried Chicken Sandwiches in America
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Georgia: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Chick-fil-A
Wendy’s
It is a little surprising that Chick-fil-A only comes in at fourth in the state where it started and is headquartered, but it’s hard to beat the big guys like McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Subway.
Idaho: Sonic
Sonic
Burger King
Subway
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Idaho preferring Sonic over all other fast food is a little bit of an anomaly compared to surrounding states. Interestingly, four states that border Idaho choose Wendy’s, but it’s not even in the top five here.
Illinois: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Burger King
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Remember the Wendy’s SuperBar buffet from the 80s and 90s? I bet a lot of Illinois residents do, where Wendy’s is the most popular fast food option. Burger King, the home of the Whopper, comes in second.
Indiana: Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Fried pork tenderloin sandwiches are an Indiana specialty, so it makes sense that the most popular fast food chain specializes in a similar item, fried chicken sandwiches.
Related: 30 Strange But Surprisingly Tasty Local Foods to Try
Iowa: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Arby’s
Subway
Burger King
Mexican food is tops in Iowa, where Taco Bell is the most popular fast food choice. The chain was founded in California and is known for its collaborations with brands like Mountain Dew and Doritos, which appeals to young people.
Related: Live Más: 20 Spicy Secrets Behind Taco Bell’s Success
Kansas: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Subway
Taco Bell
Wendy’s
It’s no surprise that Sonic takes the top spot in Kansas since it’s next to the state where it was founded. Chicken McNuggets are almost as popular, followed by footlong BMTs at sandwich giant Subway.
Kentucky: Sonic
Sonic
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Subway
Kentuckians, too, enjoy a good drive-in like Sonic, which is the most popular fast food in the state. I wonder if there’s ever been a mint julep slush?
Related: 30 Classic Drive-In Restaurants Serving Customers During the Pandemic
Louisiana: Popeyes
Popeyes
Sonic
Raising Cane’s
McDonald’s
Subway
Fried chicken is king of fast food in Louisiana. Popeyes, with its spicy, crunchy chicken, takes the top spot — which is fitting as the restaurant was founded in New Orleans in 1972 — Raising Cane’s, a chicken finger restaurant, takes third. Raising Cane’s was founded in the state in 1996, so it makes sense that this is the only state where it’s in the top five.
Related: 16 Underrated Items to Order at National Chains
Maine: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
KFC
McDonald’s
Subway
Burger King
Taco Bell is the most popular fast food in Maine, with KFC coming in second. This is only one of two states where KFC breaks the top five.
Maryland: Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonald’s
Subway
There are no crab cakes sold in Maryland’s top five fast food restaurants, where Chick-fil-A is the most popular. But, you can get seafood salad at Subway, which comes in fifth place.
Related: 16 Fast Food Items Overdue for a Comeback
Massachusetts: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
Tacos, burritos and Crunchwraps are favorites in Massachusetts where Taco Bell is the most popular fast food. It joins three other states in the Northeast that also can’t get enough of the Bell.
Michigan: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Burger King
Wendy’s
Subway
Michiganders love Taco Bell too. In fact, most of the upper Midwest does, where it appears in the top five in six other states.
Related: How to Make 24 Fast Food Sauces with Copycat Recipes
Minnesota: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Culver’s
McDonald’s
Subway
Chipotle
Mexican food is popular in Minnesota, where Taco Bell takes the top spot, and Chipotle brings up the rear. This is the only state where Chipotle makes the list, and one of only three where Culver’s makes the list. Way to be unique, Minnesota.
Mississippi: Sonic
Sonic
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Subway
Taco Bell
Cherry limeades and half-price happy hour are tops in Mississippi where Sonic is the most popular option. There are almost 100 locations of the chain in the state.
Missouri: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Burger King
Subway
The drive-in model is also working well in Missouri where Sonic is the most popular. Only Texas has more locations of the restaurant.
Montana: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Arby’s
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Subway
Spicy chicken sandwiches and square burgers at Wendy’s take the top spot in big sky country. Montanans also like their meats, because Arby’s comes in second, one of only five states where it breaks the top five.
Related: The Best Fast Food Deals to Grab This Month
Nebraska: Sonic
Sonic
Arby’s
McDonald’s
Subway
Burger King
Sonic dominates in Nebraska, but Arby’s is also second in popularity here too. Roast beef and deli sandwiches are devoured on the plains.
Nevada: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Del Taco
Subway
In-N-Out
Panda Express
Good old reliable McDonald’s is the most popular in Nevada, but there are some interesting restaurants that made the list. Del Taco comes in second, and this is the only state where it cracks the top five. In-N-Out comes in fourth, and Panda Express, a Chinese-American restaurant that only appears on this list three times, rounds out the top five.
New Hampshire: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
New Hampshire is dominated by Taco Bell, just like all three states that border it. Classic burger wars contenders Wendy’s, McDonald’s and Burger King follow close behind.
Related: Fast Food Items With Cult Followings
New Jersey: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Burger King
Subway
Wendy’s is the most popular fast food in New Jersey. Along with the top spot in New York and Connecticut, it creates a densely populated triumvirate of red pigtails.
New Mexico: Sonic
Sonic
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
Maybe the dry, warm weather in New Mexico contributes to drive-in Sonic being the most popular fast food restaurant there. Taco Bell comes in second.
New York: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Burger King
Subway
The No. 1 fast food restaurant in New York is Wendy’s, where people dip their french fries into chocolate Frostys. Sub sandwiches are less popular, but still make the grade, with Subway coming in fifth.
Related: Taste Test: The Best Fast-Food Chocolate Milkshake
North Carolina: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Wendy’s
Chick-fil-A
Subway
The golden arches are king in North Carolina, where the Big Mac is preferred over chalupas from number two Taco Bell. Chick-fil-A makes a respectable showing in fourth place.
North Dakota: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Burger King
Subway
Buffalo Wild Wings
McDonald’s comes out on top in North Dakota, but it’s the fifth spot that is unusual. Buffalo Wild Wings, a sports bar known for their countless wing sauces, makes its only appearance on this list.
Related: The Best Chicken Wings Spot in Every State
Ohio: Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
Ohioans prefer to make a run for the border at Taco Bell above all other fast food. Wendy’s, which was founded and is headquartered in the state, comes in second.
Oklahoma: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
Chick-fil-A
Sonic was founded as a drive-in in Oklahoma in 1953, and today it’s still the most popular fast food in the state, even if it’s a huge corporation now.
Oregon: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonald’s
Panda Express
Subway
Taco Bell is most popular in Oregon, followed by Burger King and McDonald’s. Two chains that tout healthy options and fresh vegetables take the last two spots: Panda Express and Subway.
Related: Most Extreme Tacos Across America
Pennsylvania: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Chick-fil-A
Burger King
Subway
The world’s most famous skinny fries at McDonald’s are the most popular in Pennsylvania, followed by Wendy’s skin-on fries, and Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries.
Related: Why McDonald’s Fries Used to Taste Better
Rhode Island: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Burger King
Taco Bell
Subway
The smallest state prefers McDonald’s over the other big burger chains, with Taco Bell and Subway bringing up the rear.
South Carolina: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Chick-fil-A
Wendy’s
Subway
The drive-in model is a winner in South Carolina where Sonic takes the top spot. Chick-fil-A, which is headquartered in neighboring Georgia, comes in at third.
South Dakota: Culver’s
Culver’s
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
Taco John’s
Wisconsin-based Culver’s, known for its butter burgers and frozen custard, is the most popular fast food restaurant in South Dakota. Taco John’s and its popular Potato Oles comes in fifth, one of only two states where it makes a list.
Tennessee: Sonic
Sonic
McDonald’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
Subway
People love to drive into a Sonic stall in Tennessee for a happy-hour shake. On the other end of the list, Subway takes the fifth spot, the same spot it takes in 30 other states.
Texas: Sonic
Sonic
Whataburger
McDonald’s
Chick-fil-A
Subway
Whataburger is a well loved Texas-based chain of burger restaurants, and it comes in second in its home state, the only place it appears on this list. It wasn’t able to surpass stalwart Sonic, however.
Utah: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Burger King
Subway
McDonald’s
Chick-fil-A
The most popular fast food chain in Utah is Wendy’s, where a cup of chili poured over a baked potato is a warming meal in winter. Subway beats out McDonald’s here, one of only two states where that happens — the other is neighboring Idaho.
Vermont: Taco Bell
Taco Bell
KFC
Burger King
McDonald’s
Subway
Taco Bell comes in first in popularity in Vermont, while KFC is second. This is only the second state on this list to include KFC, and both are the second most favorite.
Related: Fast Food Deals to Feed the Whole Family
Virginia: McDonald’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Chick-fil-A
Wendy’s
Subway
Happy Meals are on the menu for a lot of families in Virginia, where McDonald’s is the most popular fast food spot. Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A take the second and third spots in the list.
Washington: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
McDonald’s
Burger King
Subway
Washingtonians must be big fans of spicy chicken sandwiches in order to push Wendy’s to the top of the popularity list there. Like its Pacific Northwest neighbor, Oregon, McDonald’s comes in third.
West Virginia: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
Taco Bell
Arby’s
McDonald’s
Subway
Wendy’s takes the top spot in West Virginia as well. Arby’s is the third most popular fast food chain there, one of only five states where it appears in the top five.
Wisconsin: Culver’s
Culver’s
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Subway
It’s no surprise that Culver’s is the top choice in Wisconsin, where it’s headquartered. It has built its brand around using Wisconsin ingredients, and brings the joy of fried cheese curds to the rest of the country.
Related: Local Burger Chains the Rest of the Country Needs
Wyoming: Wendy’s
Wendy’s
McDonald’s
Arby’s
Subway
Taco John’s
Perhaps residents of Wyoming are fans of the Baconator and that’s why Wendy’s is the top choice. Taco John’s brings up the rear here, one of only two states where it appears here.
