The 10 States That Love Fast Food The Most (And The Least)
The state that loves fast food the most is Alabama, boasting 6.3 restaurants for every 10,000 residents.
The state with the fewest fast food restaurants is Vermont, with only 1.9 restaurants for every 10,000 residents.
There are 194,395 fast food restaurants across the U.S.
As of 2022, the U.S. fast food industry had a market size of $331.4 billion.
Fast food restaurants currently employ around 4.6 million people in the U.S. These establishments play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs across every state and offering quick, affordable meals. However, the distribution of fast food outlets varies significantly across the country, with some states indulging in fast food more than others.
We analyzed the data to discover which states have the highest concentrations of fast food restaurants, helping you identify where you’re most likely to find a Big Mac or a job in the industry, along with other interesting insights.
Other Fun Fast Food Facts
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Overall, southern states have a significantly higher number of fast food restaurants compared to the northeast.
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Subway ranks as the most prevalent fast food chain, followed by McDonald’s and Burger King.
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Globally, over 12 million individuals work in the fast food sector.
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While about 30% of fast food employees are teenagers, the remaining 70% are over the age of 20.
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Approximately half of all fast food workers are 23 or older.
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More than 30% of fast food employees have completed at least some college education.
Below, you can find detailed insights into the states that consume the most (and least) fast food, as well as an explanation of our methodology.
It’s clear that southern states have a strong preference for fast food, with Alabama leading the charge at an impressive 6.3 fast food outlets per 10,000 residents. Meanwhile, Nebraska and Indiana from the Midwest also make the top 10, showing they too enjoy their fast food options.
Where is fast food least popular, you ask?
Vermont stands out with the fewest fast food restaurants per capita, possibly too satisfied with their local cuisine. The northeast generally has fewer fast food outlets compared to other regions, particularly the south.
Interestingly, Mississippi, known for its rich culinary culture, surprisingly has fewer fast food options than you might expect, suggesting that local dining preferences dominate.
Continue reading to see how your state ranks in fast food consumption.
How We Determined This
Our analysis utilized data from Datafiniti, a leading provider of business information. They leveraged their extensive database to compile data on fast food establishments and their locations. We then compared these figures against state population sizes to identify which states have the most fast food restaurants per 10,000 residents.
For our fast food facts, we relied on reputable sources such as the American Community Survey (ACS).
Would You Like Fries With That?
According to recent surveys, around 80% of Americans consume fast food at least once a month.
Even those who may not be fans of fast food often find themselves working in the industry, which remains a significant source of employment in the U.S.
Generally, the south and Midwest host a higher concentration of fast food restaurants relative to their size, while the northeast and west have fewer options available. To illustrate, Alabama, in first place, has six times the number of fast food establishments compared to Vermont, which ranks last. This stark contrast highlights the regional differences in fast food preferences across the nation.
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
