Chick-fil-A Falls off Perch as America's Favorite Fast-Food Restaurant -- Here is Who's Now No. 1

After nearly a decade of being America's favorite fast-food restaurant chain, Chick-fil-A has finally been dethroned in the results of a recent annual survey .

Knewz.com has learned that the "Eat Mor Chikin" food joint currently holds the 3rd position in the list of best American fast food restaurants.

Chick-fil-A, which generated nearly $21.6 billion in sales in 2023, has been dethroned by the popular Mexican food joint Del Taco for the top spot.

The new rankings were the result of the news outlet USA Today's annual Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Fast Food Restaurant section.

Chick-fil-A, considered to be the best fast-food chain in the United States for a long time, has a total of 3,059 restaurants across 48 states.

It seems the chicken-centric menu of the restaurant, especially the classic chicken sandwich which has been its most-ordered item for around two years, has lost its charm, losing to the diverse Mexican options available at Del Taco.

"This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries," the publication wrote about the winner of the Best Fast Food Restaurant rankings.

"In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu."

Chick-fil-A was also beaten by the fried chicken titan KFC , which was ranked #2 by the readers in the Best Fast Food Restaurant list.

The brand to follow Chick-fil-A on the list was the West Coast burger chain In-N-Out Burger—revered by chef extraordinaire Gordon Ramsay. Reportedly, the iconic chef modeled his own burger recipe after their burgers.

"These guys are incredible... It’s the perfect drive-thru; you don’t get any hassle. I bring the window down, I give them a little $100 bill as a big ‘thank you,’ and I pick up my Double-Double. Heaven," Ramsay was quoted as saying about the famous and successful burger chain.

Fifth on the list was the fast food chain Hardee's, known for its American menu featuring "thick, juicy burgers and made-from-scratch biscuits."

Notably, Chick-fil-A ranked toward the lower end of the spectrum in the Best Fast Food Fried Chicken category, ranking 7th in the top ten list.

USA Today readers crowned the Asian restaurant chain Jollibee as the fast food joint serving the best fried chicken in the U.S. Pollo Campero, Guthrie's, Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders, and Popeyes were some of the notable names that beat Chick-fil-A in the Best Fast Food Fried Chicken list.

However, Popeyes ranked 8th in the overall Best Fast Food Restaurant category.

"Founded in New Orleans , Popeyes is best known for its 'famous fried chicken' served in a Southern way: with a biscuit, mac and cheese, Cajun fries, red beans and rice, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy," USA Today wrote about the fast food chain.

Arby's, which calls itself "the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,500 restaurants in nine countries," ranked last on the Best Fast Food Restaurant list.

"One of the largest sandwich chains in the country, Arby’s draws people in with their famous roast beef sandwiches but also offers deli-style sandwiches, burgers, wraps, chicken sandwiches, and more," USA Today wrote about the sandwich chain from Ohio.