For more than a decade, one name dominated customer satisfaction rankings in the fast-food industry: Chick-fil-A. That streak is officially over.
According to the latest report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs has overtaken Chick-fil-A as the highest-rated quick-service restaurant in America, marking one of the biggest shakeups in the industry in years.
The shift highlights a growing trend among consumers who are increasingly prioritizing consistency, food quality, and overall value over simply finding the lowest price.
America’s New Fast-Food Champion
The ACSI surveyed more than 16,000 consumers about their recent experiences at major restaurant chains across the United States.
Jersey Mike’s earned a score of 84 out of 100, edging out Chick-fil-A’s score of 83 and ending the chicken giant’s remarkable 11-year run atop the rankings.
The result caps a strong growth period for Jersey Mike’s. The company added 238 net new locations during 2025 and generated more than $4.2 billion in sales, proving that consumers continue to embrace its fresh-made sandwich model.
According to the report, brands that consistently deliver a positive customer experience are gaining market share despite a challenging environment for restaurant operators.
The restaurant industry struggled to keep pace with inflation throughout 2025, forcing many consumers to become more selective about where they spend their dining dollars.
The Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in America
Here are the highest-rated quick-service restaurant chains based on the 2026 ACSI rankings:
| Rank | Restaurant | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey Mike’s | 84 |
| 2 | Chick-fil-A | 83 |
| 3 (tie) | Jimmy John’s | 81 |
| 3 (tie) | Panda Express | 81 |
| 5 (tie) | KFC | 80 |
| 5 (tie) | Papa Johns | 80 |
| 5 (tie) | Pizza Hut | 80 |
| 5 (tie) | Domino’s | 80 |
| 9 (tie) | Raising Cane’s | 79 |
| 9 (tie) | Starbucks | 79 |
| 9 (tie) | Subway | 79 |
| 12 (tie) | Burger King | 78 |
| 12 (tie) | Culver’s | 78 |
| 12 (tie) | Dunkin’ | 78 |
| 12 (tie) | Little Caesars | 78 |
One notable absence near the top of the rankings is McDonald’s, long considered the industry’s dominant player by size and revenue.
Chick-fil-A Still Dominates Chicken
Despite losing the overall crown, Chick-fil-A remains the undisputed leader in the chicken category.
The chain continues to outperform rivals when customers focus specifically on chicken restaurants.
Top Chicken Chains
- Chick-fil-A
- KFC
- Raising Cane’s
- Wingstop
- Popeyes
This suggests Chick-fil-A’s brand remains exceptionally strong, even if competitors are beginning to catch up when broader customer satisfaction measures are considered.
Burger King’s Surprise Victory
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the rankings came in the burger category.
While many consumers might expect McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Five Guys to lead the pack, it was Burger King that claimed the top position.
Top Burger Chains
- Burger King
- Culver’s
- Sonic
- Wendy’s
- Five Guys
McDonald’s finished well outside the top tier, ranking seventh among burger chains with a score of 72.
For investors and restaurant analysts, the result highlights the growing disconnect between market share and customer satisfaction.
The Restaurant Categories Consumers Love Most
Jersey Mike’s also maintained its leadership position among sandwich chains.
Top Sandwich Chains
- Jersey Mike’s
- Jimmy John’s
- Subway
- Arby’s
Meanwhile, pizza consumers gave top honors to both Papa Johns and Pizza Hut.
Top Pizza Chains
- Papa Johns (tie)
- Pizza Hut (tie)
- Domino’s
- Little Caesars
In the coffee category, Starbucks retained the top spot, while Dunkin’ and Panera Bread finished tied behind it.
Steakhouse Chains Continue to Win Big
The report also evaluated full-service restaurants, where steakhouses continued their dominance.
Top Full-Service Restaurant Rankings
| Restaurant | Score |
|---|---|
| Texas Roadhouse | 82 |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | 82 |
| Olive Garden | 81 |
| Applebee’s | 79 |
| Chili’s | 79 |
| Cracker Barrel | 79 |
| Golden Corral | 79 |
| Outback Steakhouse | 79 |
| Cheesecake Factory | 79 |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | 78 |
| Red Lobster | 78 |
| Red Robin | 78 |
| Denny’s | 77 |
| IHOP | 76 |
| First Watch | 72 |
The continued strength of steakhouses is notable given rising beef prices and ongoing inflationary pressures affecting both restaurants and consumers.
According to the ACSI, Americans continue to show a strong preference for steak-focused dining experiences despite higher menu prices.
Why Customer Satisfaction Is Improving
One of the most interesting findings in the report had little to do with food.
Restaurant mobile apps are getting dramatically better.
Customer satisfaction with restaurant mobile apps jumped 12% year-over-year, rising from 78 to 87. Website satisfaction and overall digital experience scores also improved.
The gains suggest restaurant chains are investing heavily in reducing friction around online ordering, carryout, and delivery.
As delivery and digital ordering become a larger share of restaurant revenue, consumers increasingly judge brands based not only on food quality but also on how smoothly technology works.
What This Means for the Restaurant Industry
The fall of Chick-fil-A from the top spot isn’t necessarily a sign of weakness.
Instead, it may signal that competitors are finally closing the gap by focusing on the same areas that helped Chick-fil-A dominate for more than a decade: consistency, service, quality, and value.
For investors, the rankings offer a glimpse into which restaurant brands are building customer loyalty in a highly competitive environment.
As consumers continue to feel the effects of inflation, the chains that deliver a reliable experience every visit appear to be the ones winning the battle for customer satisfaction.
And in 2026, that battle has a new champion: Jersey Mike’s.
About Author
