Is Your Favorite Fast Food The Same As The Rest Of Illinois?

By Kelly Fisher

July 16, 2021

Smiling young Asian woman enjoying freshly made delicious burger with fries and a glass of iced coffee in a cafe
Photo: Getty Images

The fast-food industry in the U.S. is a massive one, and there's no shortage of options.

Major chains include: Chick-Fil-A, McDonald’s, In-N-Out, Panda Express, Jack in the Box, Sonic, Taco Bell, White Castle, Wendy’s and Carl’s Jr.

Of course, everyone has a favorite.

That’s why Cheapism sought the No. 1 fast-food restaurant in each state.

Cheapism notes that fast-food joints remained popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely because of low prices and a drive-thru option, as opposed to dine-in services.

The Cheapism team considered data from June 12, 2019 through June 12, 2020 to pinpoint each of the lower 48 states’ favorite fast-food restaurants.

“Including a few months worth of pandemic quarantine in the study may have contributed to Sonic, a drive-in restaurant, being the most popular in 14 states,” Cheapism reads. “That doesn't mean spots like McDonald's or Subway are slacking though, since they both appear in every state's top five.”

So, which fast-food restaurant is Illinois’ favorite?

Wendy’s.

Cheapism says:

“Remember the Wendy's SuperBar buffet from the 80s and 90s? I bet a lot of Illinois residents do, where Wendy's is the most popular fast food option. Burger King, the home of the Whopper, comes in second.”

See the full list from Cheapism here.

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