25 Most Popular Fast Foods in the US

Published on September 13, 2023 at 6:07 am by Zahaab Rehman in Industries, Lists, News

In this article, we take a look at the 25 most popular fast foods in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the fast food industry and changing trends, you can skip and go straight to the 5 Most Popular Fast Foods in the US.

According to a study conducted by the CDC, almost 37% of American adults consume fast food on any given day, according to the CDC. Fast food is a pertinent part of the American lifestyle, with few whose weeks would be complete without it. This massive consumption rate has created a vast industry for this product, filled with many international and local fast food chains. As Grand View Research puts it, the global fast food market size had an estimated value of $596 billion in 2021. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% between the years 2022 to 2029.

The combined product segment of all kinds of burgers and sandwiches accounted for more than 42% of this industry, taking up the largest chunk. According to the US Department of Agriculture, as many as 50 billion burgers are consumed yearly in the US.

The fast food industry has also been one to go through a multitude of significant changes in the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic upturned the way the entire industry functions. On the one hand, an estimated 5 to 7 million workers lost their jobs during the pandemic; meanwhile, demand for food delivery services grew tremendously, resulting in long-term consumer preferences towards online delivery systems due to convenience.

The food delivery apps industry is predicted to reach $165 billion by 2029. The rise in snacking habits of Americans is also increasing the demand for fast food services, most of which have whole menu categories dedicated to snacking options. Lastly, the demand for food that is produced from healthier ingredients and creates a lesser carbon footprint has also increased, leading many fast food chains to reevaluate their ingredient choices.

Mcdonalds Corp (NYSE:MCD) is the largest fast food chain in the US, with 13,520 restaurants nationwide and a revenue of over $23 billion earned in 2022. The corporation employs around 210,000 people and has showcased a revenue growth of 74.84% from 2019 to 2022. The company generated a revenue of $5.9 billion in the first quarter of 2023, consistently showcasing a steady increase. The revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $5.6 billion, However, such huge revenues mean that Mcdonalds Corp (NYSE:MCD) has also significantly contributed to raising greenhouse gas emissions. The corporation now targets a net-zero emission goal, to be achieved by 2050. Mcdonalds Corp (NYSE:MCD) is also designing restaurants that are more sustainable, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and transitioning to the use of sustainable materials for packaging and Happy Meal toys. The fast food giant also has plans to eliminate deforestation from its supply chains by 2030.

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) owns Taco Bell, one of the largest Mexican cuisine chains in the US, which had an estimated revenue of $1 billion in 2022. Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) also owns KFC, another division that brings in significant revenue for the company, and is famous all around the US for its fried chicken. The corporation also has Pizza Hut’s ownership, along with that of a fast-casual brand, The Habit Burger Grill. Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has delivered a record number of new restaurants in recent years, with 4,560 new units opened in 2022 alone. They have also added menu innovations on almost all their chains, roping in customers to try out new items. The corporation is employing more contemporary technology tools in order to aid an ongoing data strategy that aims to enhance consumer experiences. To encapsulate, the US fast food industry is incorporating new trends every day, with each company trying to stay ahead of the other. In that race, we have compiled a list of the 25 most popular fast foods in the US that consumers swear by.

TMON/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology:

One of the most solid ways of gauging popular fast foods is to take a look at consumer opinions. For the purpose of this article, we have collected data from the social media site Reddit, where individuals have often expressed their views on the different fast food items available in the US. These 25 items have been ranked based on the number of times each was mentioned or upvoted. Based on consumer preferences, here are the 25 most popular fast foods in the US:

25. Jalapeno Poppers

Score: 04

Research has shown that more than half of US consumers now consume three or more snacks in a day. The rising demand for snacking options has led to the popularity of items like jalapeno poppers, which can be regularly eaten in bite-sized meals. The dish as we know it has its historical origins in Central America and Mexico, but its modern version originated in the US.

24. Steak Burger

Score: 04

Beef steak is an extremely popular meal option in the US, with nearly two out of every three Americans selecting it as a last meal option, as reported by Fox. The fast food version of that, the steak burger, is widely increasing in popularity as well. Experts are also considering whether steak burgers can pass hamburgers in demand. Although the possibility is a little far off into the future, it does exist.

23. Chicken Strips

Score: 05

In 2021, Fortune reported that the rising popularity of chicken items across US restaurant chains had led to a poultry shortage in the country. KFC, Mcdonalds Corp (NYSE:MCD), and other fast food chains like Popeyes were responsible for this increasing trend. Thus, chicken strips are one of the items on this list of most popular fast foods in the US, being eaten as appetizers all over the country.

22. Hot Dogs

Score: 05

According to Fortune Business Insights, New Yorkers alone spent $133.6 million on hot dogs in retail in 2020. As the working population grows, so does the demand for quick, ready-to-eat foods, leading to higher consumption of hot dogs. In order to widen their consumer base, hot dog manufacturers are not also experimenting with newer flavors, bringing more variety into the market. Due to these changing trends, hot dogs are quickly growing as one of the most popular US fast foods.

21. Milkshakes

Score: 07

The versatility of this breakfast drink is one of the main reasons it retains massive popularity in the US fast food industry. Milkshakes can be adjusted to meet any changing trend in the beverage industry, such as the rising demand for coffee flavors, increased purchases of alcoholic drinks, and the need for seasonal drinks. The incorporation of changing market dynamics ensures that the beverage always stays relevant.

20. Mozzarella Sticks

Score: 07

The entire US cheese sticks market was valued at $1.51 billion in 2022, and the mozzarella sticks segment dominated this market by gathering over 55% of its share. Mozzarella is also the best-loved cheese among consumers, making it a popular option for snacks and fast foods. DoorDash also reported that mozzarella sticks were the most-ordered game-day food during the 2020-2021 NFL season.

19. Sliders

Score: 07

White Castle, a popular US burger chain, can be credited with creating the first slider in the 1920s. In 2023, the company reached the groundbreaking number of 29 billion sliders sold since the product was first launched. Sliders have gained such popularity because they offer appetizer portions of one of the most popular fast foods in the US – burgers.

18. Egg Rolls

Score: 08

Egg rolls have been an essential part of the menus at Chinese restaurants for quite a while, but their popularity has also managed to penetrate the American fast food industry. The Asian-inspired flavors tend to bring a comforting experience to consumers while also providing a fulfilling snack.

17. Doughnuts

Score: 09

Corporations like Krispy Kreme Inc (NASDAQ:DNUT) have made a huge impact on the doughnut industry in the US. The company reported a revenue of $1.53 billion in 2022, achieved by a revenue growth of 10.5%. The changing trends in the food industry have led doughnut manufacturers to introduce gluten-free, dairy-free, whole-grain, or even keto products. The industry has performed well in terms of responding to the demands surrounding it, due to which doughnuts continue to be one of the most popular fast food items in the US.

16. Pizzas

Score: 10

According to the Washington Post, 40% of Americans consume pizza at least once a week, making it one of the most popular fast food items in the US. Research says that the unique combination of ingredients in a pizza and its manufacturing processes make for a dish that people tend to enjoy. Domino’s Pizza Inc (NYSE:DPZ) is one of the most famous pizza chains in the country.

15. Nachos

Score: 11

Nachos have gained massive popularity as appetizers and especially as movie theatre snacks. Despite their higher prices and initial skepticism, many cinema-goers need this staple snack for their entire experience. What started out as a novelty food item available at only a couple of cinemas quickly spread to fast food chains and theatres all over the country.

14. Wings

Score: 12

According to the American Chicken Council, US residents consume over 1.45 billion chicken wings on just the Super Bowl weekend alone, as reported by USA Today. This fast food item has become synonymous with the sport, especially its boneless version. Experts have mentioned that boneless wings are also cheaper to produce, making them quite the staple for the football season.

13. Chicken Tenders

Score: 13

Chicken tenders tend to yield huge profit margins owing to high markups. However, recent years have seen a steady increase in the poultry cut required for this product, as compared to other chicken cuts on the market. Moreover, poultry supplies in the market have also been going through a shortage, and because of their inability to keep up with the demand, prices are driven further upwards. These factors combine to lower the popularity of the chicken tenders, which were once much higher on the list.

12. Beef Sandwich

Score: 13

The global beef market is projected to grow to $604.34 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.52%. These numbers showcase the popularity of the meat in the US as well. While steaks and burgers tend to command a higher industry segment, beef sandwiches still make it to the list of some of the most popular fast food items in the US. The specific statistics for sandwich sales by meat type are unavailable. Still, consumer trends have shown a massive preference for beef sandwiches, especially those by companies like Subway or Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG).

11. Fish Sandwich

Score: 13

The Filet-O-Fish by Mcdonalds Corp (NYSE:MCD) is a simple sandwich by the corporation that has proven to be popular. As pescetarianism rises as a trend, so does the demand for a seafood-based diet. The global demand for fish is expected to almost double by 2050; hence, it gives fast food corporations an edge to incorporate seafood options as soon as possible.

10. Quesadillas

Score: 16

Chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) are quickly rising in popularity for quesadillas. The corporation has performed well in adapting to changing trends. Just in April 2023, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) added a TikTok-inspired quesadilla to its permanent digital menu, resulting in two of its best-ever digital sales days.

9. Burritos

Score: 18

Vox has mentioned burritos to be a staple of Mexican-American cuisines. Fast food chains like Taco Bell by Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) and Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:TACO) offer multiple variations of the popular item and prove successful with consumers. The combined sales of burritos and quesadillas at Taco Bell jumped 9% in the last quarter of 2022, showcasing that burritos are rising in popularity as one of the most popular fast food items in the US.

8. Breakfast Sandwich

Score: 18

All breakfast items at fast food chains are steadily rising in popularity, making a comeback after the 2020 pandemic saw a decrease in sales. This has led to many chains offering all-day breakfast options as well, with breakfast sandwiches being one of the most in-demand items. Wendy’s Co (NASDAQ:WEN) entered the breakfast scene just over three years ago, and by the end of 2022, the corporation was already reporting average weekly sales of more than $3,ooo per restaurant.

7. Onion Rings

Score: 19

Onion rings have proven to be one of the most popular junk-food side dishes in the US, with many people choosing them in addition to their regular fast food orders. While many fast food chains in the US claim the credit for inventing this extraordinary appetizer, everyone can agree that they are an American original.

6. Fries

Score: 20

Fortune Business Insights valued the global French fries market at around $15 billion in 2021, with an expected market growth at a CAGR of 4.7% until 2029. While every fast food chain in the country offers some version of this staple side dish, Wendy’s Co (NASDAQ:WEN) is claimed by many to have the best fries in the market. The company reformulated its fries in 2021, adding a ‘hot & crispy’ innovation. Despite the rising popularity of these items, US sales of Wendy’s Co (NASDAQ:WEN) in 2022 were quite disappointing due to rising inflation.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Popular Fast Foods in the US.

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on June 23, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

And infrastructure needs a builder with experience, scale, and execution.

This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

While most energy and utility firms are buried under mountains of debt and coughing up hefty interest payments just to appease bondholders…

This company is completely debt-free.

In fact, it’s sitting on a war chest of cash—equal to nearly one-third of its entire market cap.

It also owns a huge equity stake in another red-hot AI play, giving investors indirect exposure to multiple AI growth engines without paying a premium.

And here’s what the smart money has started whispering…

The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

They’re sharing it quietly, away from the cameras, to rooms full of ultra-wealthy clients.

Why? Because excluding cash and investments, this company is trading at less than 7 times earnings.

And that’s for a business tied to:

The AI infrastructure supercycle
The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
A surge in U.S. LNG exports
And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

This isn’t a hype stock. It’s not riding on hope.

It’s delivering real cash flows, owns critical infrastructure, and holds stakes in other major growth stories.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 100+% Return within 12 to 24 months.

We’re now offering month-to-month subscriptions with no commitments.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 per month, you can unlock our in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

Access to our Detailed Report on our AI, Tariffs, and Nuclear Energy Stock with 100+% potential upside within 12 to 24 months
BONUS REPORT on our #1 AI-Robotics Stock with 10000% upside potential: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI/robotics stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.
One New Issue of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive one new issue per month and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.
One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149
Bonus Content: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews
Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a month of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.
Lifetime Price Guarantee: Your renewal rate will always remain the same as long as your subscription is active.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99.

2. Enjoy a month of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the Trump tariff and nuclear energy company as well as the revolutionary AI-robotics company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

Subscribe Now!

No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!

Insider Monkey Ads

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

Published on June 13, 2025 at by Insider Monkey Staff

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…

Insider Monkey Ads

Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Log In

Sign Up

25 Most Popular Fast Foods in the US

Published on September 13, 2023 at 6:07 am by Zahaab Rehman in Industries, Lists, News

Our Methodology:

25. Jalapeno Poppers

24. Steak Burger

23. Chicken Strips

22. Hot Dogs

21. Milkshakes

20. Mozzarella Sticks

19. Sliders

18. Egg Rolls

17. Doughnuts

16. Pizzas

15. Nachos

14. Wings

13. Chicken Tenders

12. Beef Sandwich

11. Fish Sandwich

10. Quesadillas

9. Burritos

8. Breakfast Sandwich

7. Onion Rings

6. Fries

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on June 23, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

Published on June 13, 2025 at by Insider Monkey Staff

Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Premium

Log In

Sign Up

25 Most Popular Fast Foods in the US

Published on September 13, 2023 at 6:07 am by Zahaab Rehman in Industries, Lists, News

Share

Our Methodology:

25. Jalapeno Poppers

24. Steak Burger

23. Chicken Strips

22. Hot Dogs

21. Milkshakes

20. Mozzarella Sticks

19. Sliders

18. Egg Rolls

17. Doughnuts

16. Pizzas

15. Nachos

14. Wings

13. Chicken Tenders

12. Beef Sandwich

11. Fish Sandwich

10. Quesadillas

9. Burritos

8. Breakfast Sandwich

7. Onion Rings

6. Fries

Share

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on June 23, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

Published on June 13, 2025 at by Insider Monkey Staff