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Do you ever wonder what the country’s most popularrestaurant chainsare?
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The good news is thanks to a new report from Technomic, you no longer have to ponder.
Rankings like this offer a lot of insight into how these restaurant chains perform compared to their competitors.
It can also provide clues into dining trends on a nationwide scale.
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For those with a sweet tooth, its pizookies are always a hit for dessert.
The meal included your choice of one of eight entrees plus a Pizookie, all for just $13.
The chain also embraces its quirky pop culture-induced market position by offering things likeValentine’s Day reservations.
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Fun fact:Dutch Bros wasstartedby two brothers, Dane and Travis Boersma, who are of Dutch descent.
Red Robin
The family-friendly restaurant chain Red Robin has a menu filled with tasty hamburgers.
The home of classics like the Freckled Lemonade is also coming up withnew menu itemsthat keep loyal customers returning.
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Fun fact:Red Robin has been around since the 1940s, though itoriginally openedas Sam’s Tavern.
Fun fact:Since 2010, customers can enjoy fresh, hand-spun cotton candy at Golden Corral.
Fun fact:Carl’s Jr.startedas a hot dog cart in 1941 in Los Angeles, California.
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Fun fact:Bojanglesopened its first location in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1977.
It has since expanded to 17 states and approximately 800 restaurants.
The biscuits come in various options, like classic Biscuits and Gravy and Maple Biscuits with frosting.
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This year, Hardee’spartneredwith country music star Thomas Rhett to promote a year of goodness among communities.
Each year, Hardee’s holds an annual competition among the bakers to find the best nationwide.
Fun fact:In-N-Outintroducedthe two-way speaker box system in 1948, revolutionizing the drive-thru experience.
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Zaxby’s
Southern chicken chain Zaxby’s is heading North with itsdebut in New Jerseyin 2024.
It was founded by two childhood friends.
Jimmy John’s
Sandwich chain Jimmy John’s has its eyes on international expansion.
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Last year, the chain announced plans togrow its footprintby opening restaurants in Canada and Latin America.
The company insists that the original cheesecake recipe is still used to this day.
Denny’s
Eatingbreakfast for dinneris a hallmark feature of Denny’s.
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Denny’s is known for its classic diner-style menu that is loaded with value.
Despite its nostalgic factor, Denny’s has faced troubled waters, withover 100 locations closing.
LongHorn Steakhouse
There are few surprises when you open a menu at LongHorn Steakhouse.
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Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse barely eked out ahead of its competitor, LongHorn Steakhouse.
Outback continues to embrace its Australian brand with limited-time specials like theGreat Barrier Eatsmenu, which launched in 2024.
Fun fact:While Australian-inspired, Outback Steakhouse is 100% authentically American.
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The restaurant chainopened its first location in Tampa, Florida, in 1988.
According to its website, there are currently sevenlocationsin Australia.
Wingstop
With over one dozen uniquewing flavors, Wingstop is a force to be reckoned with.
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New flavors are always in the works, with sauces likeSweet BBQ Blazedebuting in 2024.
Fun fact:Wingstopopened its first restaurant in 1997.
Since then, the restaurant chain claims it had served one billion wings by 2002.
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For dessert, their frozen custard is hand-churned throughout the day to maximize freshness and flavor.
Its menu also includes rotating specials, including theCurderBurger, which returns each October.
In 2024, that included the limited-time launch of Hot Honey Cheese Curds.
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Customers love the chain for its fresh ingredients, including the meat, which ishand-slicedfor every order.
Fun fact:Jersey Mike’s Subsbread is baked fresh on-site each day.
IHOP
The International House of Pancakes is more than a breakfast hot spot.
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Fun fact:Every originalIHOPrestaurant was built based on its classic A-frame model.
The last A-frame restaurant was built in 1979.
Fun fact:Raising Cane’swas named after founder Todd Graves' labrador retriever, Cane.
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Its breakfast menu, for example, always draws a crowd.
Whataburger has big plans for 2025 as the company celebrates its75th anniversary.
after taking a single bite.
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Papa Johns
Pizza chains have finally entered the Top 50 chat with Papa Johns.
Fun fact:Buffalo Wild Wing’s original name was Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck.
These days, customers refer to the chain as B-Dubs for short, which is also a registered trademark.
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Its menu has long-standing classics like theMargarita of the Monthand theTriple Dipperand value meals like the3 For Me.
Fun fact:Applebee’shas consistently oriented itself towards maximizing value.
In 2017 it launched the DOLLARITA, a $1 margarita that continues to be a menu favorite.
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Leave it to Little Caesars to be innovative, however.
Fun fact:Little Caesarshas always experimented with new, unique menu items.
Previous experiments include spaghetti buckets and french fry pizza crust.
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It also gave returning customers the low-risk chance to try new menu items.
Fun fact:Music iconWillie Nelsonis a partial owner of a Texas Roadhouse located in Austin, Texas.
Fun fact:Technically,Dairy Queen does not serve ice cream.
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Instead, call it a “frozen treat” for a more apt moniker.
Olive Garden
How does on-demand Olive Garden sound?
A nationwide launch is expected this May.
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Fun fact:Olive Garden’s legacyis one of hunger relief efforts.
Popeyes
Not many chicken chains can hold a candle to the popularity of Popeyes.
Fun fact:Allegedly, superstar Beyonce has a lifelong membership to freePopeyes.
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Sonic Drive-In
It’s easy to tell when you’ve pulled up to a Sonic Drive-In.
The launch of the burger was doubled down by the introduction of the My Hut Box Offer.
Panda Express
Panda Express has made significant strides towardshealthy menu optionsin recent years.
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It still delivers big on flavor, with longtime favorites like Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp.
Fun fact:Despite growing to over2,300 locationsworldwide, Panda Express is stillfamily-owned and operated.
The Cherng family opened the first Panda Express restaurant in 1983.
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These changes have continued since then with the launch of even more new items likeCiabatta DippersandAsiago Bagel Stacks.
Fun fact:Paneraopened its first location in 1987 with a sourdough starter from San Fransisco.
The company claims that the same sourdough starter is still used in their sourdough bread.
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You’ll find everything from sandwiches to chicken wings on themenu, in addition to Domino’s classic pizzas.
Fun fact:Domino’s is serious about giving its customers seemingly endless customization options for their pizzas.
Its sheer size hasn’t come with sacrificing innovation.
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Recent menu additions include new ways of stretching items to 12 inches, like theFootlong CookieandFootlong Dippers.
Fun fact:Burger King has beenflame-grillingits burgers since its first location opened in Miami, Florida in 1954.
Fun fact:Dunkin’dropped the “Donuts” half of its name in 2019 to promote all-day sales.
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Wendy’s
Ushering in the top 5 of 500 restaurant chains nationwide is Wendy’s.
Despiteclosing over 100 restaurantslast year, the burger chain continues to draw customers in with menu changes and value.
Fun fact:Wendy’shad salad bars as far back as the 1970s.
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They were eventually phased out in 2006 to make the restaurants more operationally efficient.
Taco Bell
The top-performing Mexican-inspired restaurant chain is none other than Taco Bell.
Fun fact:Taco Bell is considered one of the healthier fast food options out there.
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The chainboaststhat nearly 75% of its menu items are under 500 calories.
And Coming in a Surprise Third…Beating Taco Bell and Burger King…Chick-fil-A!
Fun fact:Chick-fil-Asqueezes more than 200 million lemons each year for its iconic lemonade.
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Otherrecent strategiesinclude a freeze on price hikes and eliminating upcharges for non-dairy milk.
Fun fact:For the first 10 years of operation,Starbucksdidn’t sell a single beverage.
McDonald’s
Would there be anyone else in the top spot?
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Fun fact:The volume of Happy Meals sold results in the distribution of 1.5 million toys annually.
This makesMcDonald’sthe world’s largest toy distributor.
Photo: Shutterstock. Design: Eat This, Not That!
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