<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=46Q51D_0utFM4XS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=46Q51D_0utFM4XS00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Jeff Harkness</figcaption></figure>There's been a shake-up at the top of the list of the best fast-food chains in America, and it's a bit of a shocker.For the first time in nine years, <a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/">Chick-fil-A</a> does not rule the roost as the most popular fast-food destination, according to the <a href="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-fast-food-restaurant-2024/">USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards</a>. The chicken giant actually slipped to third in the 2024 balloting.And while we're able to enjoy Chick-fil-A, <a href="https://www.kfc.com/">KFC</a>, <a href="https://www.hardees.com/">Hardee's</a>, <a href="https://www.tacobell.com/">Taco Bell</a>, <a href="https://www.popeyes.com/">Popeye</a>s, and <a href="https://www.arbys.com/">Arby's</a> around South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota, we're missing out on four of the top ten, who have yet to, or never will, open locations in the Tri-State area.Included on that list of omissions around here is the new number-one spot in America.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3IHKbx_0utFM4XS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3IHKbx_0utFM4XS00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Photo courtesy Del Taco</figcaption></figure>1. <a href="https://deltaco.com/">Del Taco</a>The Lake Forest, California-based chain has nearly 600 locations in 18 states.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=36cryk_0utFM4XS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=36cryk_0utFM4XS00" width="1600" height="1105" ><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>3. <a href="https://www.in-n-out.com/">In-n-Out Burger</a>The Irvine, California-based chain currently has 400 locations in eight states with plans to expand into Tennessee and New Mexico by 2026.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vkAf0_0utFM4XS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vkAf0_0utFM4XS00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Photo courtesy Captain D's</figcaption></figure>6. <a href="https://www.captainds.com/">Captain D's</a>The Nashville, Tennessee-based chain has 500+ locations in 13 states.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bm33s_0utFM4XS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bm33s_0utFM4XS00" width="1600" height="1067" ><figcaption>Photo courtesy Zaxbys</figcaption></figure>9. <a href="https://www.zaxbys.com/">Zaxbys</a>The Statesboro, Georgia-based chain has 940+ locations in 19 states.TOP TEN FAST FOOD CHAINS<ol><li>Del Taco</li><li>KFC</li><li>Chick-fil-A</li><li>In-N-Out Burger</li><li>Hardee’s</li><li>Captain D’s</li><li>Taco Bell</li><li>Popeyes</li><li>Zaxbys</li><li>Arby’s</li></ol><h2>From coast to coast: The 20 best regional fast-food chains to try</h2>From burgers to subs and even creamy milkshakes, these tasty fast-food chains, compiled by <a href="https://stacker.com/food-drink/coast-coast-best-regional-fast-food-chains-try">Stacker</a>, are a must-try on your next road trip.<h2>LOOK: Food history from the year you were born</h2>From product innovations to major recalls, <a href="https://stacker.com/stories/4380/food-history-year-you-were-born">Stacker</a> researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.LOOK: Here are copycat recipes from 20 of the most popular fast food restaurants in America</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

The Best Fast Food Spots Missing in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota

There's been a shake-up at the top of the list of the best fast-food chains in America, and it's a bit of a shocker. For the first time in nine years, Chick-fil-A does not rule the roost as the most popular fast-food destination, according to the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The chicken giant actually slipped to third in the 2024 balloting.