This Sandwich Chain Just Overthrew Chick-Fil-A As America's Top-Rated Fast Food In 2026

Key Points:

• Jersey Mike's has surpassed Chick-fil-A for the first time in over a decade as the top-rated fast food chain in the U.S., according to the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), scoring 84 compared to Chick-fil-A's 83.
• The ACSI study, based on 16,464 customer surveys from April 2025 to March 2026, praised Jersey Mike's for the variety, value, and freshness of its food, noting its growth with 238 new locations and $4.2 billion in sales in 2025.
• Despite losing the overall top spot, Chick-fil-A remains the leader in chicken-based fast food chains and was recognized by Yelp as America's favorite fast food chicken sandwich chain in 2025.
• The 2026 ACSI report highlighted slow growth in the U.S. chain restaurant industry in 2025, with only a 3% increase driven by higher prices rather than more customers, marking the slowest growth outside the pandemic since the Great Recession.
• Industry experts emphasize that consistent quality and overall customer experience are now crucial for success amid rising costs and increased competition, with Jersey Mike's innovative menu options, like "sub in a tub," gaining particular attention.