Chick-fil-A is no longer the top fast food chain in America — that title now belongs to Del Taco.
It’s the second year in a row the Mexican-inspired chain has topped the list, beating out bigger names despite operating just 600 restaurants nationwide.
The 61-year-old brand, known for burritos, fries and even vegan options, is owned by Jack in the Box — which itself took second place. A&W secured third place.
Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A slipped down the list to fourth after backlash over a recipe tweak to its beloved waffle fries.
Some customers even threatened a boycott, calling the change ‘gross,’ though the chain continues to thrive with more than 3,000 locations across North America.
Despite landing top spot, it is not all rosy for Del Taco. Its owners are looking to sell the brand, while a South Carolina-based franchisee Matador Restaurant Group filed for bankruptcy.
In fifth in USA Today’s annual list was Wendy’s, the fast food empire famous for its Dave’s burgers and Frosty desserts. It was a move up the list after not cracking the top 10 last year, helped by rolling out a raft of deals in last year’s fast food price war.
KFC dropped four spots to sixth place in this year’s ranking. It was also kicked out of separate ranking of the top chicken chains in the US.
Del Taco beat out a variety of restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell
Its sister brand, Taco Bell, stayed put at seventh place..
Raising Cane’s was recently named the top chicken chain but only made number eight in this list.
Zaxby’s and McDonald’s filled the last two spots this year, the latter having made headlines for bringing back its snack wraps.
Del Taco is expanding. It is set to enter the Louisville, Kentucky, market with five restaurants, opening between 2026 and 2027.
The chicken chain opened over 500 restaurants during that time, while Taco Bell added 24 units to its 8,000+ store amount.
While Raising Cane’s and Zaxby’s finished at eighth and ninth on the list, they’re coming for fast food chains by initiating massive US expansions.
Their store count is still nothing compared to McDonald’s, the largest fast food chain in the nation with first quarter earnings that were less than desirable.
Meanwhile, a separate section of USA Today’s ratings, Habit Burger & Grill’s Double Char was named the nation’s best fast food burger.
Multiple restaurant chains featured in this year’s bast fast food burger ranking kicked other brands off the list
In-n-Out Burger’s Double Double dropped two places to number four after slipping down the rankings on last year’s list.
Its humiliation came after CEO Lynsi Snyder sparked outrage after deciding to move the company to Tennessee.
A&W and Jack in the Box were praised for its Papa Burger and Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger, coming in at number three and four respectively.
Culver’s rounded up the top 5 with its double ButterBurger with cheese after missing out on the list last year.
Multiple chains have had its financial up and downs this year including Jack in the Box, which is planning to shutter between 150 and 200 locations.
However, some of them also kicked out prominent brands like White Castle, Carl’s Jr. and BurgerFi, a top brand that filed for bankruptcy last year.
