The 10 Best Fast-food Chains in America in 2026

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The 10 best fast-food chains in America in 2026

After more than a decade as the most popular chain in the country, Chick-fil-A has finally fallen to No. 2, according to the newest report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). With fast-food prices rising as severely as they are (between 2021 and 2024, menu prices have risen an absurd 39-100%), customers are especially choosy and find themselves more brand-loyal than ever.

Based on the responses from over 16,000 surveys, the ACSI was able to build a satisfaction score for each restaurant. Many chains (especially fried chicken and sandwich shops) moved up the rankings this year, while a few fell lower.

Due to some heavy expansion, a new quick-service restaurant took first place and edged Chick-fil-A out by one point. Curious to see which one it was? Take a look at the 10 most popular fast-food chains of 2026.

Green tea cream Frappuccino, hot coffee, vanilla cream Frappuccino and mango Frappuccino at a Starbucks

1 / 10

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#8. Starbucks (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 79
- Change from 2025: -1

It's surprising to see a chain as big as Starbucks come in 8th place in anything, let alone be the only one on the list that slipped. Starbucks was sitting comfortably at a score of 80 last year, but in a race where almost everything is a tie, losing even a single point can cost you.

Close up shot of a basket of chicken and french fries from Raising Cane's

2 / 10

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#8. Raising Cane's (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 79
- Change from 2025: N/A

Originating out of Baton Rouge, Raising Cane's has found its way in one of the most competitive spaces in all of fast food. Fried chicken is a tough scene, especially with Chick-fil-A dominating the way it tends to do. Raising Cane's didn't have data available for 2025, but after opening 100 new locations in 2025, the popularity increase makes sense.

3 / 10

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#8. Domino's (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 79
- Change from 2025: +1

Though Domino's has not really done its "30 minutes or less" deal since the '90s, the chain still finds ways to reward customers. The website is littered with coupons and deals, so much so that if you're ordering a full-priced pizza from Domino's at any time, you've probably done something wrong.

Overhead shot of Pizza Hut pizzas and chicken wings

4 / 10

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#5. Pizza Hut (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 80
- Change from 2025: +1

Landing a full point ahead of Domino's must have been cause for celebration at Pizza Hut HQ. Customers have a clear preference here, and the fact that Pizza Hut tends to skew a little bit cheaper has got to be a huge help.

Papa John's Pizza BBQ and Spicy Buffalo Ranch Flavors. Delicious Fresh Oven Hot Pizza with Thin Crust Dough

5 / 10

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#5. Papa Johns (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 80
- Change from 2025: +1

Domino's has about 7,000 locations in the U.S., and Pizza Hut has about 6,000. Yet Papa Johns, sitting at only about 3,000, outdid one and tied the other. That's an impressive thing to do with only half the space. Customers must have been excited to see a new era, after John Schnatter (who turned into a comic book villain, threatened "a day of reckoning", and ate 40 pizzas in 30 days) resigned.

6 / 10

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#5. KFC (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 80
- Change from 2025: +4

Kentucky Fried Chicken had the biggest bump in satisfaction score of anybody in the top 10, rising a full 4 points. The chain has really dialed itself in lately, serving higher-quality sandwiches and nuggets than it did in previous years. KFC's reinvigorated popularity even helped launch an offshoot centered around tenders and dipping sauces called Saucy.

Photo of a togo order from Panda Express

7 / 10

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#3. Panda Express (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 81
- Change from 2025: +1

In a sea of pizza, sandwiches, and fried chicken, it's nice to see Panda Express stick out. The Chinese-American chain did over $6 billion in sales last year and has no signs of slowing down. Panda Express is known for its consistency, and expanded with over 100 locations in 2025.

8 / 10

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#3. Jimmy John's (tie)

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 81
- Change from 2025: N/A

Tied with Panda Express is Jimmy John's, a sandwich chain that didn't even crack the Top 10 last year. Known for their "freaky fast" service, Jimmy John's is unbeatable if you're in a time crunch. Jimmy John's is just one of many chains in the middle of an expansion, pushing to grow towards 3,000 locations and signing international deals.

9 / 10

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#2. Chick-fil-A

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 83
- Change from 2025: 0

For 11 straight years, Chick-fil-A sat in first place on the ACSI ranking. Though the six-day-a-week chain is still handily ahead of the fried chicken competition (a full three points ahead of KFC), Chick-fil-A has finally fallen. Looks like even $10 billion in revenue isn't enough to make you the most popular fast-food chain in America.

A Jersey Mike's sub sandwich sitting on a table inside a restaurant

10 / 10

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#1. Jersey Mike's

- 2026 customer satisfaction score: 84
- Change from 2025: N/A

Jersey Mike's wasn't even ranked last year. While most chains have to fight over tied scores between 79 and 81, Jersey Mike's leaves them all in the dust with a score of 84. In 2025, the east coast-style sandwich shop opened almost 240 locations and pulled in $4 billion. According to CEO Charlie Morrison, even more growth is coming, so 2027's report ought to be interesting.