Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1926, the United States—and the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains.
Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its focus on speed and affordability.
Over the years, chains have had a tremendous influence on American culture, from Little Caesars making takeout pizza accessible to families to Panda Express bringing Chinese American cuisine to the mainstream. It's no wonder so many of us feel connected to chain restaurants, which have had a notable impact on what and how we eat.
At the same time, the resilience of these destinations has been tested in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations across the industry, with staffing shortages and health restrictions causing some restaurant chains to close numerous locations or shut down entirely. Even years after the pandemic, lingering supply issues and higher labor costs continue to plague restaurants across the country.
Inflation and economic turbulence in 2025 have worsened the situation, as tariffs are predicted to continue driving up restaurants' operational costs. Meanwhile, consumers burdened by these rising prices have scaled back on dining out. Once-thriving chains like Wendy's and Denny's are facing closures, underscoring the volatility of the current climate. Despite these hurdles, chain restaurants remain vital to American dining culture, offering familiarity in an ever-changing world and bolstering the nation's economy. According to the National Restaurant Association's June 2025 employment forecast, restaurants are expected to add nearly 500,000 seasonal jobs this summer.
Of course, some of these eateries will need more help than others. To rank the 15 most popular chain restaurants in the U.S., Stacker analyzed Q2 2025 data from YouGov. The rating agency surveys people daily across various areas—such as culture, politics, and business—to determine what they like and dislike.
YouGov's overall positive opinion scores represent the percentage of people who responded positively out of those surveyed. The scores are further broken down by generation—baby boomers, Gen Xers, and millennials.
Read on to see if your favorite chain made the list.
