Now I have enough information to write the article about chains Americans love and ones they’re ditching. Let me create a comprehensive article based on the search results.
5 Chains Americans Can’t Get Enough Of—And 3 They’re Quietly Ditching
The Numbers Don’t Lie: America’s Food Obsession Is Real
Picture this: you’re driving down the highway, stomach growling, and suddenly you see that familiar red roof or those golden arches. But these days, it’s not McDonald’s that’s causing the biggest traffic jams at drive-thrus. Chick-fil-A is only one of three restaurant brands in America with U.S. systemwide sales north of $20 billion—McDonald’s and Starbucks are the others. Yet here’s the kicker: Chick-fil-A does this with way fewer locations than its competitors. We’re talking about a complete shift in America’s dining loyalties, and some brands are winning big while others are quietly fading into the background. The restaurant landscape is changing faster than you can say “my pleasure,” and the winners and losers might surprise you.
Chick-fil-A: The Chicken Chain That’s Taking Over America
Total systemwide sales in 2024 clocked in at $22,746,105,000. That’s nearly $23 billion in sales, and they’re closed on Sundays! In 2023, the beloved chicken franchise held a commanding 45.5% market share in the chicken fast-food sector, according to data released by Technomic Inc. Think about that for a second—almost half of all chicken fast-food dollars in America flow to one company. In 2024, of the roughly 2,179 domestic franchised restaurants not located in malls (freestanding or drive-thru-only units), opened and operated for at least year a calendar year, the median annual sales volume was $9.227 million and the average annual sales volume $9.317 million. Compare that to McDonald’s average of about $4 million per location, and you start to understand why everyone’s chasing Chick-fil-A’s secret sauce. The brand in September announced it was kicking off U.K. expansion with stores in Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool, and London, which represented the first units outside of North America.
Chipotle: The Burrito Bowl Empire That Keeps Growing
FULL YEAR 2024 COMPARABLE SALES INCREASE 7.4% DRIVEN BY 5.3% TRANSACTION GROWTH… Opened 304 company-owned restaurants with 257 locations including a Chipotlane, and three international licensed restaurants Here’s what makes Chipotle fascinating: while everyone else is fighting over scraps, they’re literally building a new restaurant empire. The company recorded a 15% increase in annual revenue, reaching $11.3 billion, driven by a 7.4% comparable sales growth and over 5% transaction growth. Digital Sales: $3.9 billion, accounting for 35% of total sales, underscoring the company’s robust digital strategy and customer engagement. They’ve figured out something most chains haven’t—how to make healthy-ish fast food that people actually crave. In 2025, Chipotle anticipates opening between 315 to 345 new restaurants with at least 80% including a Chipotlane. The Chipotlane concept alone is genius—it’s like a drive-thru, but for people who think they’re too good for McDonald’s.
Raising Cane’s: The Simple Menu That’s Simply Unstoppable
Sometimes the best strategy is the simplest one, and Raising Cane’s proves it. For the first half of 2024, Raising Cane’s same-store sales increased 17.5%, which, in addition to the opening of 46 restaurants, helped boost revenues by 33% year over year to $2.3 billion. That same-store sales increase was driven by a 12.8% increase in traffic, and a 4.7% increase in average check. While other chains complicate things with massive menus, Cane’s keeps it stupid simple: chicken fingers, fries, toast, and that famous sauce. Raising Cane’s has seen 62 consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales, including a notable 15.1% rise in the first quarter of 2024. As of February 17, 2025, Raising Cane’s boasts a substantial presence with 849 locations across the United States. Their approach is working so well that Forbes was able to obtain sales figures from the chicken chain, which showed 2024 sales of $5.1 billion. Breaking it down even further, each location generates about $5.7 million in sales on average.
In-N-Out: The West Coast Cult That’s Finally Going National
In-N-Out doesn’t need flashy marketing campaigns or celebrity endorsements—they have something better: a cult following that borders on religious devotion. This California-born burger chain has mastered the art of scarcity marketing without even trying. People will literally plan cross-country road trips just to get their hands on an Animal Style burger. What makes In-N-Out special isn’t just the food (though their fresh-cut fries and never-frozen beef help), it’s the experience. They’ve maintained quality control by staying family-owned and expanding slowly, creating a sense of exclusivity that McDonald’s lost decades ago. Every time they announce a new location outside California, it becomes local news. Health-focused chains Cava (19.7%) and Sweetgreen (11.2%) have also grown their footprints and audiences, which Placer.ai says is likely supported by the return-to-office trend and continued interest in “wholesome, convenient” dining options. In-N-Out fits perfectly into this trend of consumers wanting quality over quantity, even if it means waiting in longer lines.
