Additional Coverage:
- Fast-food giant dethroned as customer study crowns America’s new favorite restaurant chain (foxnews.com)
In a surprising shake-up in the fast-food world, Chick-fil-A, long regarded as the top dog in customer satisfaction, has been unseated from its throne. The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rankings reveal that Jersey Mike’s has taken the lead in the quick-service restaurant category for the first time in over a decade.
Jersey Mike’s earned an impressive score of 84 out of 100, narrowly surpassing Chick-fil-A’s 83. This marks a significant milestone for the sandwich chain, which has steadily expanded its footprint across the U.S. and Canada since its founding in 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Known for its made-to-order subs and signature “Mike’s Way” sandwiches-topped with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and spices-Jersey Mike’s has been praised for maintaining high customer satisfaction even amid rapid growth.
The ACSI report highlights Jersey Mike’s success as a combination of strong customer demand, rapid unit growth, and a business model focused on efficient service and digital ordering options. The chain’s relatively narrow menu and franchise-friendly approach also contribute to its rising popularity.
Despite being dethroned, Chick-fil-A remains the top choice for chicken enthusiasts, holding firm as the highest-rated chicken-focused fast-food chain. Following Chick-fil-A, Jimmy John’s and Panda Express tied for third place with scores of 81. Other notable rankings include KFC, Papa John’s, and Pizza Hut with scores of 80, and Domino’s, Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, and Subway each earning 79.
In the mid-tier, Burger King, Culver’s, Dunkin’, Little Caesars, and Panera Bread scored 78. At the lower end of the spectrum, Dairy Queen and McDonald’s shared the bottom spot among major quick-service chains with scores of 72.
The ACSI’s findings are based on more than 16,000 customer surveys conducted between April 2025 and March 2026, offering a comprehensive snapshot of consumer preferences in the fast-food industry.
Both Jersey Mike’s and Chick-fil-A were contacted for comment regarding the new rankings.