Despite the "chicken sandwich wars" that have dominated the fast food industry over the past few years, plenty of Americans are still heading to the drive-thru window for burgers.
But which place is the favorite?
By looking at sales, earnings numbers, and other stats over the last year, Eat This, Not That! ranked the top five most popular fast food burger chains in the U.S., and there may be a few surprises.
Coming in at No. 5 on the list was a Midwest fan-favorite, Culver's. The fast food chain based in Wisconsin reported nearly $2 billion in earnings in 2020. Culver's has 862 locations across 25 states, as people flock to the restaurant for "The Original" ButterBurger, which was ranked their top item by Mashed.
Culver's "is ranked #2 in sales growth among the 10 largest burger chains in the U.S., according to Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report," Eat This, Not That! said.
The No. 4 fast food burger spot hails from the East Coast, and is none other than Shake Shack. Known for their smashed burger patties and soft potato roll buns, the New York City-based chain has more than 380 locations in 32 states. Shake Shack's sales were up 31% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021, reaching a total revenue of $203.4 million, per Business Wire.
Founded in 2011 in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, BurgerFi has grown to a top fast food chain and earned the No. 3 ranking from Eat This, Not That! They have 124 locations throughout the country, and are known for additive-free Angus beef, Wagyu beef, and other tasty options.
BurgerFi reported earnings of $10.9 million during the first quarter of 2021, but saw a huge increase of 311% in the first quarter this year, reaching $44.9 million. The chain hopes to open 15 to 20 new locations in 2022, and has already opened up six new spots this year.
Claiming the No. 2 ranking was Wendy's, home to the famous Baconator (bonus points awarded for the delicious Frosty). Founder Dave Thomas' chain has become one of the biggest fast food places in the world, with over 6,500 locations in the United States and 29 other countries worldwide.
Wendy's had a very strong first quarter of 2022, as their global same-restaurant sales increased by double-digits and their global digital sales mix increased by over 10%, according to an earnings release. The chain opened 90 new locations and "is on track to hit its planned net unity growth goal of 5% to 6% for the year."
The No. 1 spot in the fast food burger rankings should come as no surprise --McDonald's is still the favorite.
Their worldwide sales rose 11% to $5.67 billion during the first quarter of 2022. Their digital systemwide sales were dominant, reaching $5 billion in the quarter. McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kempczinski, said in a statement that he was very pleased with the continued success.
"In a quarter that saw an increasingly complex and uncertain operating environment, I am proud to share that once again the Arches have shone brightly," Kempczinksi said. "Our strong performance in the first quarter was underpinned by global comparable sales up nearly 12%, reflecting broad-based momentum across all segments.
"In most of our major markets, we sustained QSR traffic share gains by focusing on elevating our brand, accelerating digital channels and showcasing our core equities of chicken and beef. By staying on the side of the consumer and executing our strategy, Accelerating the Arches, we have continued to drive growth. It is why I believe there has never been a better time to be part of brand McDonald's."
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