- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Poughkeepsie Today
By the People, for the People
Shake Shack Tops New York's Favorite Fast Food List
New data reveals the most popular fast food chains in each U.S. state, with some surprising regional favorites emerging.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A recent analysis of Google search data and locations per capita has revealed the most popular fast food chains in each U.S. state. While national chains like Wendy's and Sonic topped the list in multiple states, New York's favorite was the homegrown Shake Shack, the only major national chain with origins in the Empire State.
Why it matters
The data provides an interesting snapshot of fast food preferences across the country, highlighting how local and regional chains can sometimes outperform national giants in their home markets. This information is valuable for fast food companies looking to expand or tailor their offerings to specific state and local tastes.
The details
The FinanceBuzz and VisualCapitalist analysis looked at Google search popularity and locations per capita to determine each state's favorite fast food brand. Wendy's and Sonic emerged as the most popular chains, each topping the list in five states. But in New York, the homegrown Shake Shack took the top spot, reflecting the chain's strong local following and brand identity in the state.
- The data was released in early 2026.
The players
Shake Shack
A fast casual restaurant chain founded in New York City, known for its burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and more.
FinanceBuzz
A personal finance website that conducted the analysis of fast food preferences across the U.S.
VisualCapitalist
A media and technology company that partnered with FinanceBuzz on the fast food analysis.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The data highlights how local and regional fast food preferences can sometimes defy national trends, with homegrown chains like Shake Shack able to compete with larger national brands in their home markets. This underscores the importance for fast food companies of understanding and catering to specific regional tastes and consumer behaviors.
