Chick-fil-A No Longer Ranked as America’s No. 1 Fast Food Chain

After nearly a decade, Chick-fil-A is no longer ranked among America’s best fast food restaurants.

USA Today released its top 10 Readers’ Choice Awards for fast food restaurants last week, as voted on by readers. Chick-fil-A, a Georgia-based Christian chain, has already taken the top spot for nine consecutive years as the nation’s best fast food chain. But this year, it was Del Taco, a California-based chain that serves American-style Mexican cuisine, that took home the title.

“This popular taco restaurant, which serves all kinds of hearty Mexican dishes including burritos, quesadillas and nachos, also offers burgers and fries,” the listing says. “In addition, Del Taco offers a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu.”

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In second place is KFC, a restaurant historically known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. Chick-fil-A takes third place in the ranking.

“Chick-fil-A is a favorite for many, including their friendly cow mascots who want you to “eat more chicken,” the rankings read. “The restaurant offers a variety of chicken dishes, including nuggets and salads, but their classic chicken sandwich has been Chick-fil-A’s most-ordered menu item for (at least) two years in a row.”

A panel of experts submits nominations for the list, and 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final group of nominees. Readers were allowed to vote once per day per category.

While KFC has more than 25,000 locations worldwide, Chick-fil-A operates about 3,000 restaurants in 48 states. Del Taco has about 600 locations in just 16 states.

Other fast food chains that made the ranking were In-N-Out Burger (4), Hardees (5), Captain D’s (6), Taco Bell (7), Popeyes (8), Zaxby’s (9) and Arby’s (10).

In-N-Out Burger, a Christian-owned California fast-food chain with more than 400 locations, is known for including Bible verses on its product packaging. CEO Lynsi Snyder told The Christian Post that her uncle Richard started the tradition in the 1990s.

“It was my uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and packaging in the early ’90s, right before he passed away,” she said. “He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand. It’s a family business and always will be, and it’s a family touch. Over the next few years, I added verses to the chip cups, coffee cups and hot chocolate cups.”

USA Today says that while In-N-Out’s menu is small, “flavor is big at this iconic West Coast burger chain.”

“They use only fresh ingredients (they don’t even have freezers on site) and customers know there’s a not-so-secret menu, too. Everything can be ordered ‘Animal Style,’ which means the steak is cooked with mustard and topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles, and extra spread,” the ratings list reads.

Captain D’s, a Tennessee-based seafood chain, has more than 500 locations.

“Enjoy plates of fried catfish or whitefish, grilled salmon, blackened tilapia or fried shrimp, served with Southern sides like okra and corn,” the listing says. “Or try a fried fish sandwich with classic fries. Either way, you can’t go wrong.”

Zaxby’s is another Georgia-based chain specializing in chicken and sandwiches with over 900 locations in 19 states.

“Zaxby’s menu is primarily fried chicken (sandwiches, fingers, wings, salads, etc.), but what also draws customers are items like their fried white cheddar bites, fried pickles and loaded fries,” USA Today reports. “Not to mention, customers shouldn’t leave without ordering one (or three) of their delicious chocolate chip cookies.”