When you drive around town, do you see a lot of fast-food restaurants? You probably do! Americans love the convenience, flavor, and price of fast food. So many of us choose to place an order at a drive-through window rather than make food at home. However, there are a few states that are even more obsessed with fast food than others. So, which state has the most fast food lovers? With a little help from Escoffier, we are about to tell you who the real fast-food king really is! Do you have any last-minute guesses?
How the Rankings Were Determined
Before we get into the study and the results, let us tell you a little bit about how the rankings were determined. The study by Escoffier first looked at fast food restaurants as a percentage of total restaurants in each state. The higher the percentage, the more popular fast food is in that state. Makes sense to us!
Next, the number of fast-food restaurants per capita was considered. The more fast food spots per person means a stronger fast food culture. Lastly, spending on fast food as a percentage of total food spending was assessed, which tells us just how much people put their money where their fries are.
By scoring all 50 states in these categories and then combining their scores, each state was ranked on a scale from zero to one hundred. Now, what you have been waiting for is here: what was discovered.
#1 Maryland (Score: 100) – The Reigning King of Fast Food
Maryland takes the gold crown with an impressive score of 100 on the fast-food study! This high score is mainly because nearly 47% of all restaurants in the "Free State" are fast food restaurants. This is a massive 31% higher than the national average and means that if you're looking for a delicious drive-through window, Maryland is the place to go. Even though the state has fewer overall restaurants per capita, fast food dominates the dining scene. Maryland also ranks third in fast food restaurants per capita, with 87.57 establishments per 100K people. As someone who lived in Maryland for several years, I can personally tell you that Marylanders love their drive-thrus!
#2 Nevada (Score: 97) – The Fast Food Spending Champ
Sin City isn't just for casinos but can also be considered a fast-food paradise. Nevada ranks first in fast food spending, with residents allocating 21.79% of their total food budget to quick eats. That means that for every $5 spent on food in Nevada, more than $1 goes straight to the drive-through window. With millions of tourists visiting Nevada every year, it's no surprise that Nevada has a massive fast-food presence. People passing through need a quick place to eat!
#3 Illinois (Score: 95.7) – Balanced and Booming
Illinois lands in the top three thanks to its strong performance across all categories. The state ranks 4th in both fast food restaurants per capita (84.32 per 100K people) and fast food spending (20.49%). Unlike some states where fast food is concentrated in tourist hubs, Illinois boasts a statewide love for quick eats. It doesn't matter if you are in a huge city like Chicago or a small, rural town in the corner of Illinois, you will never be far from a burger and fries.
#4 New York (Score: 95.6) – Big Apple, Big Fast Food Scene
You might think New York is all about fine dining and street vendors, but it's also a fast-food powerhouse. The Empire State ranks second in the total number of fast-food restaurants per capita at 90.8 per 100K people. New Yorkers also spend 20.73% of their total food budget on fast food, making it clear that quick eats are a big deal here. With one of the highest tourist-to-resident ratios in the country, fast food joints thrive in the city that never sleeps (and I bet the ones that stay open 24 hours do especially well!).
#5 Hawaii (Score: 94) – The Most Fast Food Per Capita
Aloha, fast food lovers! Hawaii claims the top spot for fast food restaurants per capita, with an incredible 95.11 establishments per 100K people. This super steep number makes it the highest concentration of fast-food restaurants in the USA. The small island state also comes in second in fast food spending (21.66%). That means that both locals and tourists alike are fueling up on quick bites and driving Hawaii's fast-food spending. Given Hawaii's massive tourism industry, it's no surprise that fast-food chains are thriving here. Look for Spam on those fast food menus because that popular Hawaiian staple will give even the most basic fast food a local twist!
#6 California (Score: 84) – A Surprising Fast Food Stronghold
Despite its reputation for fresh and health-conscious eating, California scores pretty high on the fast food scale. Thanks to its enormous population and thriving tourism industry, the Golden State has a very strong fast-food presence. While it doesn't rank in the top five for any individual category, the sheer volume of fast food options in California makes it a heavyweight in the rankings.
#7 Ohio (Score: 79) – A Local Love for Fast Food
Unlike other top-ranking states on this fun study, Ohio's fast food dominance isn't fueled by tourists but driven by local love. The Buckeye State ranks 5th in fast food restaurants per capita (82.42 per 100K people) despite a low tourist-to-resident ratio (40th in the nation). That means Ohioans themselves are driving the fast food demand. Looks like Midwestern comfort food very often comes in a paper bag!
#8 Massachusetts (Score: 74) – High Spending on Fast Food
Massachusetts is known for clam chowder and seafood, but fast food also seems to be pretty popular in this northeastern state. With 20.38% of total food spending going to fast food, Massachusetts proves that even states with a strong food culture still crave frequent quick and easy meals. Given its wealth and strong restaurant scene, fast food remains a go-to option for busy residents.
#9 New Mexico (Score: 73) – Fast Food Reigns Supreme
New Mexico may not have the most restaurants overall, but it surprisingly ranks second in the nation for fast food as a percentage of total restaurants (42.02%). Even though there may be fewer overall dining options, fast food completely dominates the food landscape. When New Mexicans go out to eat, they're more than likely heading to a drive-thru.
#10 Oklahoma (Score: 69) – A Well-Rounded Fast Food State
Oklahoma lands in the top 10 thanks to steady performance across all of the study metrics. It doesn't rank at the very top for any single category, but balanced fast food consumption patterns keep it competitive. If you're in the Sooner State, you are never too far from a quick, tasty meal. Way to be consistent, Oklahoma!
Our Fast Food Facts From the Study
While we learned a lot about fast food states in this study, there were a few things that really stood out. First, Maryland is clearly America's ultimate fast-food capital, leading the country with the highest percentage of fast-food restaurants (46.76%). We wonder if crab cakes are on any of those fast food menus…We also loved that Hawaii has the most fast food restaurants per capita (95.11 per 100K people). We are guessing that has a lot to do with all the tourists! It is also not that surprising that Nevada spends the most on fast food, with 21.79% of total food expenditures going toward quick eats. It is a fast-paced city, after all!
This article was inspired by Escoffier and was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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