In 1925, A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise. We had one in Lawton near the corner of Cache and Sheridan roads. That was a long time ago. Ever since that first A&W chain, the U.S. has lead the world and conquered the franchise idea globally. Many that start in the U.S. now reach around the world, making our restaraunts famous everywhere!
When you're travelling abroad and you see the golden arches, you know what that means. Consistency and comfort.
With some of the most iconic and entertaining marketing and advertising ever seen, chains have become a part of the American experience -even to those around the world who want a taste of America.
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 chains to close numerous locations or shut down entirely.
Inflation and economic turbulence in 2025 have worsened the situation, with tariffs 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 have faced 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.
Stacker analyzed Q1 2025 data from YouGov to rank the 50 most popular chain restaurants in the U.S. 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.
Who's your favorite?
These are the TOP 50 overall winners:
1. Baskin-Robbins
2. Dairy Queen
3. Dunkin
4. Krispy Kreme
5. Domino's
6. Taco Bell
7. Olive Garden
8. Cinnabon
9. Texas Roadhouse
10. Popeye's
11. Wendy's
12. Chick-Fil-A
13. KFC
14. Pizza Hut
15. A&W
16. Cheesecake Factory
17. Cracker Barrel
18. Red Robin
19. Chili's
20. IHOP
21. Applebee's
22. Outback Steakhouse
23. Red Lobster
24. Papa John's
25. Cold Stone Creamery
26. Little Caesars
27. Panera Bread
28. Subway
29. Burger King
30. Panda Express
31. The Hard Rock Cafe
32. McDonald's
33. Five Guys
34. Sonic
35. Dave & Buster's
36. Waffle House
37. Jimmy John's
38. Longhorn Steakhouse
39. Denny's
40. Auntie Anne's
41. Jersey Mike's Subs
42. TGI Fridays
43. Arby's
44. Nathan's Famous
45. Starbucks
46. Firehouse Subs
47. Buffalo Wild Wings
48. In-N-Out Burger
49. Chuck E. Cheese's
50. Chipotle
Now I'm hungry...
