50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America - Stacker

American dining brands have a long and storied history, and whether it's fast food, fast-casual, high-end, or super cheap, U.S. restaurants ... Skiptomaincontent RelatedStories Art&Culture America'smosthatedslangwords,explained Space Fromatomstoblackholes:thescaleoftheuniverseandhowwefitin Inyourstate Doyouknowthestorybehindyourstatequarter? Travel Majesticphotosfromtheworld's50tallestmountains Weather 35thingsyouneedinyouremergencykit Food&Drink 50mostpopularchainrestaurantsinAmerica Writtenby: PaulFeinstein MadisonTroyer May10,2022 CateGillon//GettyImages Publishthisstory 50mostpopularchainrestaurantsinAmerica WiththeadventofBigData,it’snoweasierthanevertoquantifywhatpeoplelikearoundtheglobe.Whenitcomestofood,Americanshaveparticularlyspecificopinions.Americandiningbrandshavealongandstoriedhistory,andwhetherit’sfastfood,fast-casual,high-end,orsupercheap,U.S.restaurantsoffersomethingforalmosteveryone. What’sclearaboutU.S.dininghabitsisthatpeopleloveoptions.RestaurantsacrossAmericaarechock-fullofvariety,mixingfoodsfromvariousregionsandculturesintosteamingmeltingpotsofdeliciousness. Stackeranalyzed2022Q1datafrom YouGovtorankthe50mostpopularchainrestaurantsintheU.S.Theratingagencysurveyspeopleonadailybasisacrossavarietyofareas—suchasculture,politics,andbusiness—todeterminewhatpeoplelikeanddislike.YouGov’s overallpositiveopinionscoresrepresentthepercentageofpeoplewhohadapositiveresponseoutofthosesurveyed,andtheyarealsobrokendownbygeneration—babyboomers,GenXers,andmillennials. ReadonforalookatAmerica’svastanddivergentvarietyofchainrestaurants. Youmayalsolike:Popularsnacksfromyourchildhood 1/50 FelipeSanchez//Shutterstock #50.PandaExpress -Positiveopinionscore:48% ---Popularityamongboomers:48% ---PopularityamongGenX:40% ---Popularityamongmillennials:52% AsubsidiaryofthePandaRestaurantGroup,PandaExpressstartedasaformal,sit-downrestaurant,calledPandaInn,inPasadena,California,in1973.Therestaurant’sfounders,father-and-sonteamMing-TsaiCherngandAndrewCherng,craftedamenuofMandarinandSichuandishesthatfilledagapinthearea’smarket.Theirsuccessallowedthemtoopenanumberofsimilarrestaurantsinthesurroundingcommunity. In1983,ayearafterMing-Tsai’swife,PeggyCherng,joinedthecompany,therestaurantgroupopenedafast-foodversionoftheirrestaurantintheGlendaleGalleria,whichtheydubbedPandaExpress.Therearenowmorethan2,200PandaExpressrestaurants. 2/50 Deutschlandreform//Shutterstock #49.JerseyMike’sSubs -Positiveopinionscore:48% ---Popularityamongboomers:47% ---PopularityamongGenX:50% ---Popularityamongmillennials:46% TheoriginalJerseyMike’sSubsopenedinapopularJerseyShoretown,PointPleasant,in1956.In1971,17-year-oldhighschoolstudentandJerseyMike’semployeePeterCancroboughtthestand-alonerestaurantfromitsagingfounder,andafteropeningahandfulofoutletstoresinthearea,beganfranchisingin1987.Today,thereareover2,000JerseyMike’srestaurantsintheUnitedStates,aswellasacoupleofstoresinAustraliaandCanada. 3/50 JHVEPhoto//Shutterstock #48.AuntieAnne’s -Positiveopinionscore:49% ---Popularityamongboomers:41% ---PopularityamongGenX:51% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% AuntieAnne’swasstartedin1988ataPennsylvaniafarmersmarket.FounderAnneBeilerbegansellinghersoft,freshlybakedpretzelsinanefforttofundherdreamofprovidingfreefamilycounselingservicesforhercommunity.Tothisday,thecompanymakesgivingbackapriority,partneringwithAlex’sLemonadeStandFoundationtofindacureforchildhoodcancer. 4/50 CHRISTIANDEARAUJO//Shutterstock #47.Quiznos -Positiveopinionscore:49% ---Popularityamongboomers:44% ---PopularityamongGenX:51% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% Notmanychainrestaurantscanclaimtheywerestartedbyacclaimedchefs,butQuiznoscan.JimmyLambatos,whohadpreviouslyworkedatColoradoMineCompany(asteakhouseinGlendale,Colorado),openedhisownsandwichshopinDenverin1981.TherestaurateurclaimedtheuniqueheatedsubshesoldatQuiznoswereinspiredbythesandwichesheateduringhischildhoodlivingonLongIsland. In1987,LambatossoldhischaintoafranchiseenamedRickSchaden,whogrewthechainto5,000restaurantsinitsheydaybackin2006.Asof2021,therewere255locationsintheU.S. 5/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #46.GoldenCorral -Positiveopinionscore:49% ---Popularityamongboomers:54% ---PopularityamongGenX:47% ---Popularityamongmillennials:48% GoldenCorral’sstatedmissionisto“offerguestsreal,wholesomefoodsinafamily-friendlyatmosphereandatagreatvalue.”Therestaurant,whichopenedin1973,isabuffet-styleeateryofferingupclassicAmericandishes,fromsaladsandpizzastofriedchickenandribs.GoldenCorralhasmorethan400locationsaroundtheUnitedStates. Youmayalsolike:Superfoodsthathavebeenusedbyotherculturesforgenerations 6/50 ThomasKelley//Shutterstock #45.HardRockCafe -Positiveopinionscore:51% ---Popularityamongboomers:50% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:50% Whatstartedasasmall-themedrestaurantinLondonin1971hassinceturnedintoamegafranchisewith185cafés,morethantwodozenhotels,andmultiplecasinosallovertheworld.TwoAmericans,IsaacTigrettandPeterMorton,justwantedagoodburgerintheU.K.;whentheycouldn’tfindone,theystartedtheirowncompany.Thecafésarerenownedfortheirextensivecollectionsofrock’n’rollmemorabiliathathangoneveryfreespaceintherestaurants,aswellasregularlyscheduledliveconcertsatmanyofthevenues.Thefoodgenerallyconsistsofburgers,fries,sandwiches,steaks,andotherAmericanfavorites. 7/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #44.BuffaloWildWings -Positiveopinionscore:51% ---Popularityamongboomers:47% ---PopularityamongGenX:51% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% WhenJimDisbrowandScottLowerywerelivinginOhioin1982,theyhadahankeringforBuffalo-stylewings—onlytheyrealizedtherewasnowheretosatiatetheircraving.Asaresult,thetwomenopenedtheirownrestaurant,andBuffaloWildWingshassinceturnedintoaninternationalcrazewithmorethan1,000locationsaroundtheglobe.TherestaurantisknownforitsBuffalo-stylewings,butit’salsoasportsbarthatservessandwiches,wraps,burgers,andlotsofcoldbrews. 8/50 VadymShapran//Shutterstock #43.ChipotleMexicanGrill -Positiveopinionscore:52% ---Popularityamongboomers:46% ---PopularityamongGenX:56% ---Popularityamongmillennials:52% BasedinDenver,Chipotleservesuprealfoodwithnoartificialcolors,flavors,orpreservatives.Theburritoandbowlspothasmorethan2,400locationsthroughoutthecountry.Theownerschosenottofranchisethebusiness,believinginsteadthatholdingownershipallowsthemtosetthetonefortheiremployeesandbettercontrolthequalityoftheiringredients.McDonald’swasanearlyandmajorinvestorbuthassincedivestedentirely. 9/50 LeonardZhukovsky//Shutterstock #42.Nathan’sFamous -Positiveopinionscore:52% ---Popularityamongboomers:56% ---PopularityamongGenX:47% ---Popularityamongmillennials:52% PolishJewishimmigrantNathanHandwerkeropenedupthefirstNathan’sFamoushotdogstandonConeyIslandin1916.FellowimmigrantsflockedtohisBrooklynshop,eagertogettheirhandsonhisfrankfurters,whichwereseasonedwithhiswifeIda’ssecretblendandsoldforonlyanickel. In1959,Nathan’sson,MurrayHandwerker,beganopeningotherbranchesoftherestaurantinNewYorkCity,andby2001,therewerelocationsineverystateinAmericaaswellasinseveralcountriesaroundtheworld.Today,thechainistheofficialhotdogsponsoroftheMLB,runsitsownannualhotdogeatingcontestontheFourthofJuly,andalsosellsalineofproductsingrocerystoresacrossthecountry. 10/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #41.LittleCaesars -Positiveopinionscore:52% ---Popularityamongboomers:47% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:53% LittleCaesarswasstartedbyahusband-and-wifeteaminMichiganin1959.Today,itisoneofthebiggestpizzachainsintheUnitedStates.Thecompanytrulytookoffin1979whenitcoineditsfamousphrase“Pizza!Pizza!”andstartedsellingtwopizzasforthepriceofone.Today,thechainhasthousandsoflocationsaroundtheworldandisjustaswell-knownforitssit-downrestaurantsasitisfordeliveryandcarry-out. Youmayalsolike:Bestbeersfromeverystate 11/50 oneinchpunch//Shutterstock #40.TGIFriday’s -Positiveopinionscore:52% ---Popularityamongboomers:54% ---PopularityamongGenX:51% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% TGIFriday’sbeganasacocktailbarthatcateredtosinglefolksonNewYorkCity’sUpperEastSide.AlanStillmanopenedthefirstlocationin1965,anditwasaninstantsuccess.Twoyearslater,Stillmanbeganfranchising,anditwastheseearlysuburbanlocations,whichfocusedonfoodandafamilyatmosphereratherthanbeingaplaceforattractiveyoung20-somethingstobeseen,thattransformeditintothediner-stylerestaurantweknowitastoday.Asof2022,thereare900TGIFriday’slocationsin60countriesaroundtheworld. 12/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #39.PapaJohn’s -Positiveopinionscore:53% ---Popularityamongboomers:50% ---PopularityamongGenX:50% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% AlthoughitsfounderJohnSchnatterwasoustedasCEOoverhiscontroversialcommentsontheNFLin2017,thefranchiseisstillgoingstrongwithmorethan3,000locationsaroundtheUnitedStates.PapaJohn’swasfoundedbySchnatterin1984andisknownforitssignaturedippingsaucethatseparatesitfromotherpizzadeliverychainslikeDomino’sandPizzaHut. 13/50 EricGlenn//Shutterstock #38.Chili’s -Positiveopinionscore:53% ---Popularityamongboomers:54% ---PopularityamongGenX:55% ---Popularityamongmillennials:52% Afterfallinginlovewithchilicook-offs,Chili’sGrill&BarfounderLarryLavinedecidedtoopenhisownrestaurantinTexasin1975tosharethatlovewiththeworld.Chili’sconceptwasalwaysafamily-friendly,casualdiningeateryatreasonableprices,andthatmantraremainstothisday.Thesit-downrestaurantisknownforitsburgers,fajitas,andallkindsofAmericanfareatmorethan1,000locationsacrosstheglobe. 14/50 Helen89//Shutterstock #37.BostonMarket -Positiveopinionscore:53% ---Popularityamongboomers:57% ---PopularityamongGenX:54% ---Popularityamongmillennials:52% OriginallycalledBostonChickenwhenitwasfoundedin1985inNewton,Massachusetts,BostonMarketisaninexpensiverotisseriechickenrestaurantwithnearly350locationsacrosstheUnitedStates.Thecompanychangeditsnamein1995afterexpandingitsmenutoincluderibs,meatloaf,turkey,andabevyofsavorysides. 15/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #36.WhiteCastle -Positiveopinionscore:54% ---Popularityamongboomers:58% ---PopularityamongGenX:53% ---Popularityamongmillennials:57% WhiteCastlebeganinWhiticha,Kansas,in1921andclaimsit’s“thefirstfast-foodhamburgerchainintheworld.”Thebrand’sfocusoncleanliness,quality,andanaffordablepricepointhasbeencreditedwithconvincingAmericansthathamburgers(whichhadpreviouslybeenviewedasanunsanitaryandunsafeoption)weregood,healthy,andsafetoeat.Thecompany,whichhasneverfranchisedandwhollyownseverylocation,currentlyoperatesabout349locationsinjust14states,primarilyintheMidwestandontheEastCoast. Youmayalsolike:BiggestpizzachainsinAmerica 16/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #35.LongHornSteakhouse -Positiveopinionscore:54% ---Popularityamongboomers:57% ---PopularityamongGenX:56% ---Popularityamongmillennials:49% Firstopenedin1981inAtlantaasLongHornSteaksRestaurant&Saloon,LongHornSteakhouseisacasualdiningsteakjointwithmorethan450locationsaroundtheUnitedStates.ThechainisownedandoperatedbyDardenRestaurants,whoseportfolioalsoincludestheOliveGarden,YardHouse,andTheCapitalGrille.Obviouslyknownforitssteaks,LongHornSteakhousealsoservesburgers,sandwiches,ribs,chicken,andfish. 17/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #34.FiveGuys -Positiveopinionscore:54% ---Popularityamongboomers:53% ---PopularityamongGenX:54% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% ThenameFiveGuysisderivedfromfoundersJerryMurrellandhisfoursonsBen,Jim,Chad,andMatt.Thefamily-ownedbusinessgotitsstartintheWashingtonD.C.areain1986andhassinceexpandedtomorethan1,500locationsintheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.FiveGuysisafast-casualchainknownforitsburgers,hotdogs,andfries,buttruefansoftheestablishmentknowaboutitssecretmenu.Itincludesfavoriteslikethepattymelt,double-grilledcheeseburger,orthePresidential,so-namedforformerUnitedStatesPresidentBarackObama’sspecialorder:acheeseburgerwithjalapeñopeppers,lettuce,tomato,andmustard. 18/50 Jayu//WikimediaCommons #33.A&WRestaurants -Positiveopinionscore:55% ---Popularityamongboomers:64% ---PopularityamongGenX:52% ---Popularityamongmillennials:44% Thisfast-foodchainwasfirstpopularizedbackin1919asarootbeerstandinCalifornia.WiththeadventofProhibitioninthe1920s,A&Wplayedonthename“rootbeer”toattractalcoholdrinkerstoitsestablishment.Today,A&Wisstillfamousforitsdraft-stylerootbeer,rootbeerfloats,andsizzlingburgers.A&W’srootbeerwassopopularthatthecompanybegansellingthedrinkinbottlesandcans.ThecompanynowhaslocationsacrosstheglobeandispartofaconglomeratethatincludesDr.Pepper,Snapple,and7Up. 19/50 JHVEPhoto//Shutterstock #32.Mrs.Fields -Positiveopinionscore:55% ---Popularityamongboomers:64% ---PopularityamongGenX:62% ---Popularityamongmillennials:45% In1977,DebbiFieldsopenedthefirstMrs.FieldsstoreinPaloAlto,California,whichservedwarmandfreshcookiestoitspatrons.Theparentcompany,FamousBrandsInternational,purchasedTCBY,thecountry’sfirstfrozenyogurtchain,inthe1990s.Today,thecompanyisheadquarteredinBroomfield,Colorado,andtherearemorethan250franchiselocationsaroundtheworld. 20/50 Cbraccialini//WikimediaCommons #31.RedRobin -Positiveopinionscore:55% ---Popularityamongboomers:54% ---PopularityamongGenX:54% ---Popularityamongmillennials:57% FoundedinSeattlein1940,theoriginalnameoftherestaurantwasSam’sRedRobin.ThatallchangedwhenGerryKingenboughttherestaurantin1969andbeganrapidexpansionacrossthecountry.Today,therearemorethan500RedRobinrestaurants,whichareconsideredcasualdiningspotswithAmericanfarelikeburgers,sandwiches,andfriedappetizers. Youmayalsolike:Mostpopularbreakfastspotineverystate 21/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #30.WaffleHouse -Positiveopinionscore:56% ---Popularityamongboomers:59% ---PopularityamongGenX:52% ---Popularityamongmillennials:54% WaffleHouseisoneofthebiggestfranchisesintheUnitedStates,consistingofmorethan2,000locationsacross25states.ThefirstWaffleHouselaunchedinAvondaleEstates,Georgia,wherepartnersJoeRogersandTomForkneropenedtheirrestaurantonLaborDayof1955.EveryWaffleHouseisopen24hoursaday,365daysayear,andservesreasonablypricedwaffles(ofcourse),aswellasomelets,melts,steakandeggs,burgers,andsandwiches. 22/50 TonelsonProductions//Shutterstock #29.MarieCallender’s -Positiveopinionscore:56% ---Popularityamongboomers:71% ---PopularityamongGenX:52% ---Popularityamongmillennials:43% MarieCallenderwasarealpersonwhostartedsellingherhome-bakedpiestosupplementherfamily’sincomeintheearly1940s.Callender,herhusbandCarl,andtheirsonDonsoonturnedthesmalldeliverybusinessintoathrivingbakerydeliveringpiestorestaurantsaroundOrangeCounty,California.Prettysoon,thedeliverybusinessturnedintoaretailbusinesswithpieshopsaroundCaliforniaandbeyond.Today,MarieCallenderoperatesaround30storesintheUnitedStatesthatserveawidevarietyofpies.Itisalsoasit-downrestaurantchainofferingburgers,sandwiches,salads,andotherAmericanfavorites,suchasmeatloafandroastedturkey. 23/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #28.Denny’s -Positiveopinionscore:56% ---Popularityamongboomers:59% ---PopularityamongGenX:63% ---Popularityamongmillennials:49% HaroldButlerandRichardJezakopenedadonutstandin1953calledDanny’sDonuts,wheretheyaimedtoservethebestcoffeeanddonuts24hoursaday.ThenamewaschangedtoDenny’sCoffeeShopsin1959andthenfinallyDenny’sin1961.Sincethen,thebreakfastjoint—whichisstillopen24hourseachday—hasexpandedaroundtheworldwithmorethan1,600restaurants.Denny’sistypicallyknownforitsdiner-styleambianceandbreakfastitems,buttherestaurantalsoservesburgers,steaks,andotherAmericanfarethroughouttheday. 24/50 JJavaDesigns//Shutterstock #27.ColdStoneCreamery -Positiveopinionscore:56% ---Popularityamongboomers:56% ---PopularityamongGenX:60% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% ColdStoneCreameryisanicecreamparlorchainwheresugarytreatsaremadetoorder.ColdStone’sspecialtyismixingupicecreamflavorsatopa16-degreegraniteslabwithachoiceofnumeroustoppings.ColdStonestartedinTempe,Arizona,in1988,andnowhasmorethan1,000locations.Today,thecompanyisownedbyKahalaBrands,whichalsohasBajaFresh,Blimpie,andPinkberryinitsportfolio. 25/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #26.RedLobster -Positiveopinionscore:58% ---Popularityamongboomers:63% ---PopularityamongGenX:61% ---Popularityamongmillennials:48% BillDardenstartedRedLobsterinLakeland,Florida,in1968withasinglerestaurant.Today,therearemorethan700RedLobsterjointsaroundtheworld.RedLobsterisafamily-friendlyrestaurantwhosemissionistobringinexpensiveseafoodtothemasses.Themenualwaysincludesafreshcatchoftheday,inadditiontolobster,shrimp,steaks,andsides.RedLobsterwasformerlypartoftheDardenRestaurantsgroup,whichalsocountsYardHouse,LongHornSteakhouse,andTheCapitalGrilleinitsportfolio.Now,itisownedbyGoldenGateCapital. Youmayalsolike:Mostfastfood-friendlystatesinAmerica 26/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #25.McDonald’s -Positiveopinionscore:58% ---Popularityamongboomers:54% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:61% ThoughRayKrociscreditedwithMcDonald’smeteoricrisearoundtheworld,thefast-foodburgerjointwasactuallystartedbyDickandMauriceMcDonaldinSanBernardino,California.Aftereatingattherestaurant,KrocwassoimpressedthathestartedfranchisingandboughttheexclusiverightstoMcDonald’sin1961.Today,thefast-foodchain—knownforburgers,fries,anddrive-thrus—isoneofthemostrecognizablebrandsontheplanetwithover30,000restaurantsandbillionsofdollarsinsales. 27/50 JHVEPhoto//Shutterstock #24.OutbackSteakhouse -Positiveopinionscore:58% ---Popularityamongboomers:62% ---PopularityamongGenX:59% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% Despiteitsname,OutbackSteakhouseismerelyanAustralian-inspiredsteakrestaurant;itwasfoundedinTampa,Florida,in1988.Therestaurantinitiallydifferentiateditselfbyprovidingtop-qualitysteaksatreasonableprices,placingitinthemiddlebetweenlow-endmeatspotsandhigh-endsteakjoints.Thefamily-friendlyestablishmentisknownforsteaks,ofcourse,butalsocreativedelicaciesliketheBloomin’Onion,KookaburraWings,Sydney’Shrooms,andotherAussie-themeditems. 28/50 FelipeSanchez//Shutterstock #23.CrackerBarrel -Positiveopinionscore:58% ---Popularityamongboomers:68% ---PopularityamongGenX:55% ---Popularityamongmillennials:50% WithaSoutherncountryethosbasedonwarmhospitalityandhome-stylefood,CrackerBarrelhasbeenaroadsidestaplesince1969.Thepartrestaurant,partgiftshopgotitsstartinTennesseeasafamily-friendly,sit-downrestaurant.Therearenowmorethan600CrackerBarrelsaroundthecountry,andtheycanusuallybefoundclosetohighways,asthey’reknowntoattractlong-haulcommuterswiththeirfoodandgeneralstores. 29/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #22.Popeyes -Positiveopinionscore:59% ---Popularityamongboomers:57% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:66% NewOrleanshasalongandsavoryculinaryhistory,andthat’swherePopeyesLouisianaKitchenwasbornandbred.Foundedin1972,PopeyeswaslaunchedbyAlCopelandandreportedlytakesitsnamefromDetectiveJimmy“Popeye”Doylefromthemovie“TheFrenchConnection.”Today,Popeyesisknownforitssucculentandinexpensivefriedchickeninrestaurantsaroundtheworld.Therearecurrentlymorethan2,600outletsandgrowing. 30/50 JJavaDesigns//Shutterstock #21.TacoBell -Positiveopinionscore:59% ---Popularityamongboomers:61% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% FoundedbyGlenBellinSanBernardino,California,TacoBellwasoriginallyahotdogstandcalledBell’sDrive-InandTacoTiain1954.BellopenedhisfirstTacoBellin1962andbeganfranchisingoutletsaroundLosAngelesandbeyond.Thefast-foodMexicanrestaurantbecameoneofthefastest-growingbrandsintheworld,andtherearenowupwardsof7,000locations.BelleventuallysoldhisstakeinTacoBelltoPepsiCo,whichthensoldtoYum!Brands,whichalsoownsPizzaHutandKentuckyFriedChicken. Youmayalsolike:BestMexicanrestaurantineverystate 31/50 GeorgeSheldon//Shutterstock #20.TexasRoadhouse -Positiveopinionscore:59% ---Popularityamongboomers:65% ---PopularityamongGenX:61% ---Popularityamongmillennials:55% Despiteitsname,TexasRoadhouseisaWestern-themedsteakjointthat’sheadquarteredinLouisville,Kentucky,andhasoriginsinClarksville,Indiana.OpenedbyWayneKentTaylorin1993,theeateryhasmorethan600locationsaroundtheworldincludingtheUnitedStates,Indonesia,andTurkey.Thefamily-friendlyrestaurantisknownforitsvarietyofhand-cutsteaks,butitalsoofferschicken,sandwiches,burgers,andotherAmericanspecialties. 32/50 KULLAPONGPARCHERAT//Shutterstock #19.KFC -Positiveopinionscore:59% ---Popularityamongboomers:61% ---PopularityamongGenX:58% ---Popularityamongmillennials:57% ThesecrecyaroundKentuckyFriedChicken’sspecialreciperemainsshroudedinmystery,butthefast-foodchainisaspopularasever,boasting24,000outletsaroundtheworld.Col.HarlandSanderscreatedKFC’sfamousfriedchickenin1940andgrewthecompanyintothemultibillion-dollarbehemothitistoday.KFCisknownforitsbucketsoffriedchicken,alongwithsandwichesandsidesthatincludeeverythingfrommacandcheeseandcorntogreenbeansandpotatoes. 33/50 BillyFBlumeJr//Shutterstock #18.Arby’s -Positiveopinionscore:59% ---Popularityamongboomers:65% ---PopularityamongGenX:55% ---Popularityamongmillennials:59% ThenameArby’scomesfromitsfoundersLeroyandForrestRaffel,knownastheRaffelBrothers—henceR.B.’s.Thebrotherswerelookingtostartafast-foodfranchisethatwouldbedifferentthanthepopularburgerchains.Asaresult,theylandedonfreshlyslicedroastbeefsandwiches;thecompany’sbeengrowingeversince.Arby’sslogan,“Wehavethemeats,”stillholdstrue,asthesandwichshopserveseverythingfromroastbeefandturkeytobrisketandItaliansubs. 34/50 Anthony92931//WikimediaCommons #17.OliveGarden -Positiveopinionscore:60% ---Popularityamongboomers:64% ---PopularityamongGenX:60% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% TheOliveGardenisafast-casualItalianrestaurantthatcaterstofamilieslookingfortastypastawithoutbreakingthebank.ThecompanywasoriginallyfoundedasadivisionofGeneralMillsin1982andisfamousforitsmenuitemsandspecialslikeunlimitedbreadsticks,salads,soups,andnever-endingpastabowls.Today,thereare900OliveGardens.ThecompanyispartoftheDardenRestaurantsGroupthatincludesYardHouse,LongHornSteakhouse,andTheCapitalGrille. 35/50 Anthony92931//WikimediaCommons #16.Applebee’sNeighborhoodGrill+Bar -Positiveopinionscore:60% ---Popularityamongboomers:58% ---PopularityamongGenX:55% ---Popularityamongmillennials:63% Withover2,000locations,Applebee’sNeighborhoodGrill+Barisafast-casualdiningspotthatisnowubiquitousaroundtheworld.Withsloganslike“Eatinggoodintheneighborhood,”Applebee’ssolidifieditselfasafamilydiningdestinationwithreasonableprices.Thecompanyfirstbrokegroundin1980inAtlantaandhasbeenexpandingeversincewithAmericanclassicslikesandwiches,burgers,ribs,pastas,andfriedappetizers.Today,Applebee’sispartofadininggroupthatalsoincludesIHOP. Youmayalsolike: CopycatrecipesfromthemostpopularfastfoodrestaurantsinAmerica 36/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #15.BurgerKing -Positiveopinionscore:60% ---Popularityamongboomers:66% ---PopularityamongGenX:61% ---Popularityamongmillennials:56% TheMcDonaldbrothersdidn’tjustinspiretheMcDonald’sfranchise.AftereatingatthefamedSanBernardinorestaurantinthe1950s,MatthewBurnsandKeithKramerboughttherightstoagrillcalledtheInsta-BroilerandopenedInsta-BurgerKingin1953inFlorida.ThenamechangedtoBurgerKingin1954,andexplosivegrowthhascontinuedsince.Today,BurgerKinghasmorethan18,000locationsaroundtheworldandservesavarietyoffast-fooditemslikecharbroiledburgers,fries,chicken,andevenbreakfastitems. 37/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #14.Chick-fil-A -Positiveopinionscore:62% ---Popularityamongboomers:61% ---PopularityamongGenX:63% ---Popularityamongmillennials:57% FoundedastheDwarfGrillin1946outsideAtlanta,Chick-fil-Aisnowamultibillion-dollarfast-foodchainthatspecializesinchickensandwiches.Thecompany’sfounder,S.TruettCathy,wasdeeplyreligious,andbecauseofthat,Chick-fil-AisalwaysclosedonSundays.Ithasalsoseenitsfairshareofcontroversy.Eventhoughtherearemorethan2,000locations,Chick-fil-Aisstillownedandoperatedbythefoundingfamily,andtherestaurantmaintainsconsistencythroughoutbysellingthesamechickensandwiches,nuggets,strips,andwrapsatallitslocations. 38/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #13.Sonic -Positiveopinionscore:62% ---Popularityamongboomers:58% ---PopularityamongGenX:61% ---Popularityamongmillennials:69% WhenSonicfirstopenedinOklahomain1953,itwasconsideredrevolutionaryforitsorderingprocess.Customerscoulddriveintoalane,orderthroughaspeaker,andneverleavetheircarsastheirfoodwasbroughtouttothem.Thecompanystillfeaturescarhops(akaserversonskates)andnow,therearemorethan3,000establishmentsacrosstheUnitedStatesservingburgers,milkshakes,hotdogs,andfries.SonicispartofarestaurantgroupthatalsoincludesBuffaloWildWingsandArby’s. 39/50 QualityHD/Shutterstock #12.Subway -Positiveopinionscore:62% ---Popularityamongboomers:64% ---PopularityamongGenX:60% ---Popularityamongmillennials:61% WhennuclearphysicistPeterBuckloanedFredDeLuca$1,000toopenasubsandwichshopin1965,theseedsofSubwaywereofficiallyplanted.ThefirststorewaslocatedinBridgeport,Connecticut,andfranchisesbeganpoppingupsoonafter.TheofficialSubwaynamewasfirstusedin1968;sincethen,thefast-foodsandwichchainhasgrowntoover40,000locationsaroundtheworld.Therestaurantitselfisknownforitswide-rangingmenuofsubsandwiches,butalsosalads,wraps,andsomebreakfastitems. 40/50 Helen89//Shutterstock #11.PaneraBread -Positiveopinionscore:63% ---Popularityamongboomers:63% ---PopularityamongGenX:63% ---Popularityamongmillennials:60% PaneraBreadactuallystartedastheSt.LouisBreadCompanyinMissouriin1987.WhenitwaspurchasedbyAuBonPainin1993,thenamewaschangedtoPanera.Thefast-casual,sit-downrestaurantisfamousforitsfreshlybakedbread,sandwiches,andavarietyofpastries,soups,andsalads.Panerahasmorethan2,300locationsintheUnitedStatesandCanada,andtodayit’sownedbyJABHoldingCompany,aEuropeangroupwhoseportfolioalsoincludesPretAMangerandPeet’sCoffee. Youmayalsolike:IPAstoOktoberfest:thebestbeerofeverytype 41/50 Cassiohabib//Shutterstock #10.Domino’s -Positiveopinionscore:63% ---Popularityamongboomers:59% ---PopularityamongGenX:62% ---Popularityamongmillennials:65% Domino’sPizzausedtobecalledDomiNick’s,butthenamewaschangedafterbrothersTomandJamesMonoghanboughttherestaurantfor$500.Domino’sconceptwasfoundedondeliveringhotpizzatohomesinatimelymanner,anditsmeteoricsuccessnowequatestomorethan17,000restaurantsinmorethan90countries.Inadditiontopizza,Domino’sincludesmade-to-ordersalads,sides,andsandwichesonitsmenu. 42/50 JHVEPhoto//Shutterstock #9.TheCheesecakeFactory -Positiveopinionscore:63% ---Popularityamongboomers:64% ---PopularityamongGenX:59% ---Popularityamongmillennials:62% AnyonewhohasevereatenataTheCheesecakeFactoryknowsthemenucanbeoverwhelming,withitsendlesspagesoffooditems.ButtherestauranthadmuchhumblerbeginningsasasmallsaladandsandwichshopinBeverlyHills,California,withavarietyofcheesecakesthatallfitonaone-pagemenu.Sinceitsstartin1978,TheCheesecakeFactoryhasgrownintoafamily-friendlyjuggernautwithmorethan200outletsaroundtheworldservingeverythingfromsoups,salads,andappetizerstopastas,sandwiches,burgers,andofcourse,alargevarietyofcheesecakes. 43/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #8.IHOP -Positiveopinionscore:64% ---Popularityamongboomers:62% ---PopularityamongGenX:70% ---Popularityamongmillennials:59% IHOPhasbeenanAmericanbreakfaststaplesinceitopenedin1958.TheshortenednameIHOPwascoinedabout15yearslaterandisnowtheofficialnameofthecompany.Servingpancakesatmorethan1,800restaurantsaroundtheworld,IHOPisafamily-friendlyenterpriseknownforcleverbrandingandiconicmenuitemsliketheRootyTootyFresh’NFruityPancakes,SignaturePancakeSliders,andothersavorydishes.Itstartedasabreakfast-onlyeatery,buttoday,therestaurantshavesandwiches,burgers,andotherlunchanddinneritems. 44/50 Davdeka//Shutterstock #7.Cinnabon -Positiveopinionscore:65% ---Popularityamongboomers:66% ---PopularityamongGenX:65% ---Popularityamongmillennials:64% Cinnabon’smissionwastocreatetheworld’sgreatestcinnamonroll,andwiththelevelofsuccessthecompanyhasachieved,itmightjusthaveaccomplishedthatfeat.ThesmallcinnamonrollshopstartedinSeattlein1985andhasgrowntomorethan1,200locationsaroundtheworld.Cinnabonismorebakerythanasit-downrestaurant,anditservesavarietyofcinnamontreatsinadditiontoitsfamousrolls.Today,CinnabonisownedbyFocusBrands,whichalsoownsAuntieAnne’s,JambaJuice,andSchlotzsky’s. 45/50 JonathanWeiss//Shutterstock #6.PizzaHut -Positiveopinionscore:65% ---Popularityamongboomers:66% ---PopularityamongGenX:67% ---Popularityamongmillennials:64% Knownforitsiconicredroofs,PizzaHutisapartsit-downrestaurant,partcarry-outspot,andpartpizzadeliveryplace.Foundedin1958inWichita,Kansas,asasingleoutlet,today,therearemorethan18,000locationsaroundtheworld.PizzaHutisalsofamousforitspizzainnovations,trottingoutitemslikestuffedcrustswithmeltedcheese,acalzone-likepizzaconcoctioncalledtheP’zone,andtheDippin’Stripspizza,whichfeaturespiecesthatcanbepulledoffanddippedinmarinarasauce. Youmayalsolike:50waysfoodhaschangedinthelast50years 46/50 TonelsonProductions//Shutterstock #5.Dunkin’ -Positiveopinionscore:66% ---Popularityamongboomers:67% ---PopularityamongGenX:63% ---Popularityamongmillennials:65% FormerlyDunkin’Donuts,Dunkin’isacoffeeanddonutshopfoundedbyBillRosenbergin1950inQuincy,Massachusetts.Withtheworld’snever-endingappetitefortheroundandsweet,Dunkin’hassinceopenedmorethan12,000locationsglobally.Whiledonutsarethespecialty,thecompany’scoffeealsogarnerspraiseandtheshopshaveexpandedtheirmenustoincludesandwiches,wraps,andbagels. 47/50 Michael715//Shutterstock #4.KrispyKreme -Positiveopinionscore:67% ---Popularityamongboomers:69% ---PopularityamongGenX:68% ---Popularityamongmillennials:65% ThesecrettoKrispyKreme’sfluffydonutsliesinarecipethatVernonRudolphboughtin1937fromaNewOrleanschef.Sincethen,thewaftingscentsofKrispyKreme’saddictivedonutshavecascadedovercitiesaroundtheworld.Therearenowmorethan1,000KrispyKremedonutshopsthatprovidecustomerswitheverythingfromtheoriginalglazedandstrawberry-filledtoOreoCookiesandKremeanddonutholes. 48/50 KenWolter//Shutterstock #3.Wendy’s -Positiveopinionscore:69% ---Popularityamongboomers:71% ---PopularityamongGenX:69% ---Popularityamongmillennials:68% NamedafterfounderDaveThomas’daughterMelindaLou“Wendy”Thomas,Wendy’swasfirstopenedinColumbus,Ohio,in1969.Knownforitssquare-shapedburgerpatties,Wendy’swasoneofthefirstofthebigchainstoadoptadrive-thruwindow.Wendy’spopularityhasbeenboostedbyitscreativeadvertisingcampaigns,suchasits1984“Where’stheBeef?”ad.Todaytherearemorethan6,000locationsaroundtheworldservingthesamesquare-shapedburgers,fries,bakedpotatoes,andFrostys. 49/50 kevinbrine//Shutterstock #2.DairyQueen -Positiveopinionscore:71% ---Popularityamongboomers:77% ---PopularityamongGenX:75% ---Popularityamongmillennials:63% ThefirstDairyQueenstoreopenedin1940inJoliet,Illinois,afterco-founderJohnFremontMcCulloughdevelopedaformulaforsoft-serveicecream.McCulloughopenedtheshopwithSherbNoble,andthebrandhasbeenexpandingeversince.Knownforitsicecream,DairyQueenisalsofamousforsweet-treatinventionslikethePeanutBusterParfaitandtheBlizzard.DairyQueenismuchmorethanjustanicecreamshopthesedays,asitalsoservesburgers,sandwiches,hotdogs,andfries.Therearemorethan6,800DairyQueenlocationsaroundtheworldandtheuber-popularbrandshowsnosignofslowingdown. 50/50 rachelko//Shutterstock #1.Baskin-Robbins -Positiveopinionscore:74% ---Popularityamongboomers:79% ---PopularityamongGenX:77% ---Popularityamongmillennials:67% BurtBaskinandIrvRobbinswerebrothers-in-lawwhowantedtoopenanicecreamshopwherefamiliescouldgathertoenjoytastytreats.Thoughtheyoriginallyopenedseparatestores,eventuallythemenmergedtoformBaskin-Robbins,boasting31flavors.Todaytherearemorethan8,000locationsglobally,andBaskin-RobbinsispartofInspireBrands,whichalsoownsDunkin’. 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