America's Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023

By Ed Barredo

Inflation is hitting all of us in a variety of ways. For America's chain restaurants, it's been something of a mixed bag. While sales at chain restaurants have been up lately, the number of visits to them is actually down somewhat. The higher sales figures come in part from the higher prices diners are being charged. Nonetheless, Americans still like going to chain restaurants–a lot.

There are over 100,000 chain restaurant locations in the U.S. and total annual sales at them are expected to be close to $900 billion this year. For the second year, Newsweek and global data firm Statista are proud to award America's Favorite Restaurant Chains in selected categories. The awards are based on the results of a survey of more than 4,000 customers and employees of restaurant chains in the U.S. This year there are 220 winners in 16 categories.

We hope you find it useful in making your own dining out choices.

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Category

Restaurant Chain

Rating

ChineseBig Bowl★★★★★ChineseChowking★★★★ChineseDin Tai Fung★★★★ChineseInchin's Bamboo Garden★★★★★ChineseMandarin Express★★★★ChineseMark Pi's★★★★★ChineseP.F. Chang's★★★★★ChinesePanda Express★★★★ChinesePei Wei★★★★ChinesePick Up Stix★★★★★ItalianAnthony's Coal Fired Pizza★★★★ItalianBertucci's★★★★ItalianBiaggi's Ristorante Italiano★★★★ItalianBravo! Italian Kitchen★★★★ItalianBrio★★★★★ItalianBuca di Beppo★★★★ItalianCarrabba's Italian Grill★★★★ItalianJohnny Carino's★★★★★ItalianLaRosa's Family Pizzeria★★★★★ItalianMaggiano's Little Italy★★★★★ItalianOlive Garden★★★★★ItalianRomano's Macaroni Grill★★★★★ItalianSpaghetti Warehouse★★★★ItalianThe Old Spaghetti Factory★★★★ItalianVinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria★★★★★Tex-Mex3 Margaritas★★★★Tex-MexAbuelo's★★★★★Tex-MexBaja Fresh★★★★Tex-MexCafe Rio★★★★Tex-MexCalifornia Tortilla★★★★★Tex-MexCantina Laredo★★★★Tex-MexCarlos O'Kelly's Inspired Mex★★★★★Tex-MexCasa Olé★★★★Tex-MexChevys Fresh Mex★★★★★Tex-MexChuy's★★★★★Tex-MexLa Parrilla★★★★★Tex-MexMoe's Southwest Grill★★★★★Tex-MexOn the Border★★★★Tex-MexPancheros Mexican Grill★★★★Tex-MexPappasito's Cantina★★★★★Tex-MexQdoba★★★★Tex-MexSalsarita's★★★★★Tex-MexTijuana Flats★★★★Tex-MexTumbleweed★★★★★Tex-MexUncle Julio's★★★★BBQChili's★★★★BBQDickey's Barbecue Pit★★★★BBQDreamland BBQ★★★★★BBQFull Moon Bar-B-Que★★★★★BBQJim 'N Nick's★★★★

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METHODOLOGY
FOR THE SECOND TIME, NEWSWEEK and Statista are awarding America's Favorite Restaurant Chains in selected categories. The 2023 ranking was compiled based on the results of an independent survey among more than 4,000 customers and employees of restaurant chains in the United States. The survey ran from July to August 2022.

Survey respondents had to indicate which restaurant chains they would recommend for one of three ethnic cuisines and 13 dish categories. In a next step, they were asked to share their experiences by rating the restaurant chains regarding nine assessment criteria (e. g., taste of food, service, accessibility). All ratings were then transformed into a score value and aggregated towards a final score.

To receive an award, a restaurant chain needed to receive a minimum number of recommendations and an overall score of at least 7 out of 10. In addition, a restaurant chain was required to have at least three locations across different cities within at least two U.S. states.

The awarded restaurant chains received either five stars, if their final score value was above the median score of all awarded institutions, or four stars if their score was below this threshold.

The top lists were created through an elaborate process: Participants' responses as well as the final selection of restaurant chains in each category were carefully reviewed. Statista makes no statement about the quality of restaurant chains that are not included in the lists and their reputation is not disputed.

You can download the complete methodology here.