New Jersey's Surprising Fast Food Favorites Revealed

McDonald's and Starbucks top the list, but Domino's Pizza shockingly comes in third

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:21am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated grid of a single, iconic fast food item in vibrant, neon colors, conceptually representing the diverse fast food landscape in New Jersey.New Jersey's fast food preferences reveal a surprising mix of national chains and local favorites.Trenton Today

A new study analyzing regional Google search data has uncovered the most popular fast food chains in New Jersey, with some unexpected results. While McDonald's and Starbucks top the list as the state's go-to spots, the third most searched chain is surprisingly Domino's Pizza, despite New Jersey's abundance of beloved local pizza joints.

Why it matters

This data provides insight into the fast food preferences of New Jerseyans, which may differ from common perceptions about the state's culinary culture. It raises questions about why a national pizza chain like Domino's would rank so highly compared to the state's renowned local pizzerias.

The details

The study, conducted by Restaurant.eatapp.co, found that McDonald's is the most searched fast food chain in New Jersey, averaging 14.8 million monthly searches nationwide. Starbucks came in second, with 10.6 million monthly searches across the country. But the real surprise was Domino's Pizza taking the third spot, despite the abundance of acclaimed local pizza joints in the Garden State.

  • The study analyzed regional Google search volume data to determine each state's fast food preferences.

The players

McDonald's

The iconic fast food restaurant chain that topped the list of New Jersey's favorite fast food spots.

Starbucks

The popular coffee shop chain that came in second place for New Jersey's most searched fast food option.

Domino's Pizza

The national pizza chain that surprisingly ranked third in New Jersey, despite the state's abundance of beloved local pizzerias.

Dave Portnoy

The founder of Barstool Sports who has reviewed many of New Jersey's local pizza joints, highlighting the state's vibrant pizza culture.

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What they’re saying

“Whether I'm in a rush or not, if I want a cheap, tasty meal, I definitely have my go-tos.”

— Kylie Moore, Author

“Don't get me wrong, Domino's has its place in my heart. But that place is when you're out of state, and you need a thick chunk of dough with cheese on it that you can dip in garlic sauce.”

— Kylie Moore, Author

“When I'm at home in New Jersey, I'm going to my local pizza joints.”

— Kylie Moore, Author

What’s next

The study's findings raise questions about why Domino's Pizza would rank so highly in New Jersey compared to the state's renowned local pizzerias. Further research could explore consumer preferences, the impact of national chains, and the enduring appeal of New Jersey's vibrant pizza culture.

The takeaway

This data provides an intriguing snapshot of fast food preferences in New Jersey, highlighting the state's love for national chains like McDonald's and Starbucks, while also revealing the surprising popularity of Domino's Pizza despite the abundance of acclaimed local pizza joints. The findings underscore the complex and evolving nature of consumer tastes in the Garden State.