Every State’s Most Popular Fast-Food Restaurant, New Study Finds
Everyone has a go-to when hunger hits, and it turns out those favorites change depending on where you are in the country.
A new study by Affordable Seating looked at a year of Google search data to find the most popular fast-food chain in every state.
As Zach Kanoff of Affordable Seating explained, “Fast food is a staple of American culture, with millions of Americans opting for an easy, tasty food option every day.” This study breaks down exactly which spot tops the list in each state.
Alabama – Domino’s
Domino’s dominates here, though Chick-fil-A is a close runner-up.
Alaska – McDonald’s
McDonald’s comes out on top in the Last Frontier, offering familiar comfort food in an otherwise rugged state.
Arizona – McDonald’s
McDonald’s is king in the desert, with Starbucks and Chick-fil-A trailing behind.
Arkansas – Domino’s
Domino’s rules the search results, edging past McDonald’s. Arkansas is clearly all about the pizza.
California – Starbucks
Starbucks leads the Golden State, proving coffee is just as much a necessity as sunshine.
Colorado – Starbucks
Starbucks holds the top spot, showing Colorado runs on caffeine as much as it does outdoor adventures.
Connecticut – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins here, though Starbucks and Domino’s keep the pressure on.
Delaware – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A leads, with Domino’s and McDonald’s close behind. Delaware’s residents clearly like a mix of chicken and pizza.
District of Columbia – Starbucks
Starbucks dominates in the capital, no surprise in a city fueled by politics and long workdays.
Florida – McDonald’s
McDonald’s claims first, though Chick-fil-A and Starbucks are hot on its heels.
Georgia – Chick-fil-A
No surprise—Chick-fil-A reigns supreme in its home state.
Hawaii – McDonald’s
McDonald’s takes the crown, with unique island menu items like Spam and rice keeping it popular.
Idaho – Domino’s
Domino’s tops the list, showing Idaho leans pizza over burgers.
Illinois – McDonald’s
McDonald’s holds strong in the Land of Lincoln, with Starbucks and Domino’s trailing.
Indiana – McDonald’s
McDonald’s leads, though Pizza Hut and Papa John’s show Indiana’s love for pizza.
Iowa – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins here, but Pizza Hut still makes a strong showing.
Kansas – Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut pulls ahead, beating McDonald’s. Kansas clearly has pizza pride.
Kentucky – Papa John’s
Papa John’s is the surprising winner, making Kentucky the only one with a strong affinity for Papa John’s.
Louisiana – Domino’s
Domino’s claims first place, with late-night pizza cravings fueling its dominance.
Maine – Domino’s
Domino’s leads, followed by McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Maryland – McDonald’s
McDonald’s is first, though Chick-fil-A and Domino’s keep things competitive.
Massachusetts – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins here, with coffee favorite Starbucks in second.
Michigan – McDonald’s
McDonald’s sits at the top, but hometown hero Little Caesars sneaks into second. Local pride is alive and well.
Minnesota – McDonald’s
McDonald’s takes the crown, though Domino’s and Starbucks aren’t far behind.
Mississippi – Domino’s
Domino’s comes out on top, proving pizza holds serious sway in the Magnolia State.
Missouri – Domino’s
Domino’s beats McDonald’s, showing Missouri’s pizza preference.
Montana – Domino’s
Domino’s leads again, edging out Pizza Hut and McDonald’s.
Nebraska – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins, though Pizza Hut puts up a strong fight.
Nevada – Starbucks
Starbucks dominates here—it seems even Vegas runs on caffeine.
New Hampshire – Domino’s
Domino’s tops the list, with McDonald’s and Starbucks close behind.
New Jersey – McDonald’s
McDonald’s rules the Garden State, with Starbucks and Domino’s filling in.
New Mexico – Domino’s
Domino’s takes first, showing New Mexico has a clear pizza preference.
New York – Starbucks
Starbucks beats out McDonald’s, which makes perfect sense in the city that never sleeps.
North Carolina – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A leads, followed by Domino’s and McDonald’s.
North Dakota – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins, though Domino’s and Papa John’s keep the pizza presence strong.
Ohio – McDonald’s
McDonald’s rules, but Chipotle makes a rare appearance in third place.
Oklahoma – McDonald’s
McDonald’s is king, with Domino’s and Pizza Hut rounding out the top three.
Oregon – McDonald’s
McDonald’s wins here, with Starbucks and Domino’s trailing.
Pennsylvania – McDonald’s
McDonald’s is first, but Chick-fil-A holds second place strong.
Rhode Island – Domino’s
Domino’s takes the top spot, with McDonald’s in second.
South Carolina – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A reigns supreme, a fitting choice for the South.
South Dakota – McDonald’s
McDonald’s leads, though pizza chains still carve out a spot.
Tennessee – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A comes out on top, with Domino’s and McDonald’s following.
Texas – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A beats McDonald’s, showing just how much Texans love their chicken sandwiches.
Utah – McDonald’s
McDonald’s leads, though Domino’s and Chick-fil-A follow closely.
Vermont – Domino’s
Domino’s takes first, with McDonald’s and Starbucks behind.
Virginia – Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A sits at the top, with McDonald’s right behind.
Washington – Starbucks
Starbucks dominates here, which makes perfect sense – it was founded in Seattle back in 1971 and still calls the city home.
West Virginia – Domino’s
Domino’s takes the crown, followed by Chick-fil-A.
Wisconsin – McDonald’s
McDonald’s leads, though Domino’s and Pizza Hut keep the pizza rivalry alive. (Personally shocked this wasn’t Culver’s!)
Wyoming – Domino’s
Domino’s edges out Pizza Hut and McDonald’s, another win for pizza.
If you’re curious which chains Americans envy outside their borders, check out the top fast-food spots other states wish they had. And for a deeper dive into local flavors, don’t miss the best food to try in each of the 50 states, according to Americans.
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