In this article, we will take a look at the 20 states with the highest fast food consumption in the US. If you want to skip our discussion on the fast food industry, you can go directly to the 5 States With The Highest Fast Food Consumption In The US.
Fast food in America isn't just a quick meal; it's a big part of the American culture, a symbol of busy living, and for many, a guilty pleasure that's tough to say no to. The United States stands at the first position on the list of countries with the highest fast-food consumption. More than one-third of adults living in the USA eat fast food every day, and 83% of American families feast on fast food at least once a week. In addition to the convenience it offers, fast food is also preferred due to its low cost. The fast food consumption by state varies to a great extent. In some states, Americans often allocate more of their budget to fast food than groceries, particularly as grocery prices experience inflation. The states with the most fast food restaurants per capita include Alabama and Nebraska.
In 2022, the global fast-food market reached a valuation of $731.65 billion. Projections indicate that by 2031, it is expected to grow to $1087.31 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031. Fast food consumption statistics reveal that the average American dedicates 10% of their income annually to fast food. Despite facing a substantial dip in demand, with a more than 30% decline during pandemic-related lockdowns, the fast-food sector has demonstrated resilience and managed to rebound. North America is expected to be the main contributor to the global fast-food market during the projected period. The market's expansion in the region is driven by the increasing trend of fast-food consumption and the rising young adult demographic. An estimated 50 million people are served daily by various fast-food chains in North America. The continued rise in the use of online fast-food delivery apps and the success of drive-through restaurants is expected to further contribute to the growth of the fast-food market in North America throughout the coming years. The industry is also expected to transform quite a bit in the future, driven by technological advancements. While changes like drive-through and in-app ordering have become quite common, robot cooks and automated vans are expected to penetrate the market widely soon.
There are numerous restaurants operating in the fast-food industry in the USA. However, only a few of these brands have managed to dominate the industry with their chain of restaurants spread country-wide. These include McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD), Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), and Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ).
Here’s what David Gibbs, CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) shared in the company’s Q3 2023 earnings call:
"I’m proud to share that we delivered 10% system sales growth, led by 6% same store sales growth and 6% unit growth. We set a Q3 record on unit development, opening an incredible 1,130 gross new units in the quarter. Our digital sales growth remains on fire, with sales up more than 20% year-over-year and digital sales setting a record by exceeding $7 billion. Our third quarter core operating profit grew an impressive 16%. KFC International and Taco Bell US, which collectively contribute approximately 80% of our divisional operating profit, fueled this quarter’s growth. Together, these twin growth engines delivered a remarkable 13% system sales growth in the quarter. KFC International has the most units among quick service restaurants in 60 countries and has been adding more absolute units than any other retail brand in the world since 2021."
20 States With The Highest Fast Food Consumption In The US
A close-up of a hamburger, french fries, and a soft drink, representing the fast food chain.
Our Methodology
To shortlist the 20 states with the highest fast-food consumption in the US, we consulted Datafiniti’s database of fast-food restaurants and their geographical distribution. The states have been ranked in ascending order of the fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people. This metric was chosen because it provides insights into the concentration of restaurants in a specific region, allowing for an association with the level of demand and, consequently, the consumption of fast food in that particular area.
20 States With The Highest Fast Food Consumption In The US
20. Louisiana
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.4
This Southern state is home to The Popeye Louisiana Kitchen, a prominent player in the US fast food industry. People in Louisiana spend more than half of their restaurant budget on fast food. Louisiana also has one of the highest rates of obesity in the country, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
19. Illinois
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.5
Residents of Illinois allocate approximately $2,904 per year to fast food, ranking it seventh highest in the USA. Illinois has its own culinary traditions, with local favorites like Chicago-style hot dogs. Some fast-food chains may provide regional variations to cater to these preferences.
18. North Carolina
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.5
North Carolina’s cuisine, particularly the fast food, is similar to that of its neighboring southern states. This includes staples like barbecue, fried chicken, and biscuits with gravy. As a result, it's not surprising that Bojangles, renowned for its fried chicken, is the most searched-for restaurant in the state.
17. Arizona
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.6
Although the people of Arizona do not consume as much fast food as some other southern states, they still have a unique cuisine due to the Mexican, Southwest, and Native American influences. This diversity is reflected in the fast-food landscape, which includes options like tacos, burritos, and frybread, in addition to traditional burgers and fries.
16. Iowa
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.7
Iowa's predominantly rural landscape plays a significant role in shaping its fast-food consumption patterns. In smaller towns where food options may be limited, fast-food chains provide convenience.
15. Kansas
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.7
Kansas' location in the Midwest and Great Plains regions influences its fast-food landscape. National chains like Burger King and McDonald's remain popular, but regional favorites like Taco John's and Pizza Hut also hold a strong presence.
14. Arkansas
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.7
Consumption patterns vary within the state. Urban areas like Little Rock and Fayetteville see higher fast-food intake due to busy lifestyles and convenience factors. Rural areas rely less on fast food but still have popular chains like Taco Bell and Hardee's. Chick-fil-A is the most popular fast-food chain in Arkansas.
13. Ohio
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.7
In Ohio, the fast-food sector is growing as more than half of households' restaurant budgets are spent on fast food. Skyline Chili is the most popular among fast food brands in this Mid-Western state.
12. Nevada
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.7
Nevada is in the twelfth position on our list of states with the highest fast food consumption in the US. Las Vegas has a higher expenditure in this category than other towns and cities in the state.
11. Kentucky
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.8
Home to the famous ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’, Kentucky has a high consumption of fast food. Yum Food, the parent company of KFC, is also based in Kentucky. The company also owns other popular brands like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Furthermore, Kentucky is a state where residents allocate more than 50% of their restaurant expenditures to fast food.
10. South Carolina
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.9
In this state, the prevalence of fast-food restaurants outweighs the availability of supermarkets offering healthier food choices. Data from the South Carolina Food Access Task Force and the US Department of Agriculture reveal that low-income neighborhoods have fewer supermarkets compared to wealthier areas. Hence, residents in these neighborhoods often turn to readily available fast food, contributing to South Carolina's position as one of the top 10 states with the highest consumption of fast food.
9. Missouri
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.9
Missouri is one of the states where the cost of groceries exceeds that of a fast-food combo meal. As a result, individuals are more drawn to fast food due to its affordability and widespread availability. Although national fast-food chains are quite popular across the state, Missouri's fast-food landscape is also shaped by local brands like Imo’s Pizza, Tex-Mex chains such as Taco Bell, and various coffee shops.
8. Georgia
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 4.9
Georgia is another one of those states where healthy food options are more expensive than fast food, prompting consumers to choose the latter. While national chains like Chick-fil-A and McDonald's are popular, Georgia also showcases strong regional favorites like Waffle House and Krystal Burger. Georgia is at the eighth position on our list of the 20 states with the highest fast food consumption in the US.
7. Washington, DC
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 5.0
Washington, DC, takes the lead in food away-from-home expenditure, with a significant portion allocated to fast food. The high spending can be attributed to nonresident workers who flock to Washington, contributing to dining-out expenses. Apart from having all the popular national fast-food chains, Washington, DC, offers a unique blend of international flavors due to its diverse population.
6. Indiana
Number of Fast Food Restaurants per Capita: 5.0
In Indiana, the cost of a combo meal at a fast-food chain is lower than that of equivalent grocery store items. This affordability makes fast food a more attractive and convenient option compared to grocery shopping and cooking. National fast-food chains like Burger King and regional brands like Steak and Shake enjoy popularity across the state.
Some of the key companies operating in the fast food industry include McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD), Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), and Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ).
