Fast-Casual Chains, Ranked

Cava's revenue grew 22.5% to $1.169 billion in fiscal 2025, its first billion-dollar year, on 130 net new openings and 4.0% same-restaurant sales growth. It is the clear breakout winner of the segment.

Jersey Mike's debuted atop the 2026 ACSI Restaurant Study with a score of 84, ending Chick-fil-A's 11-year reign as the most satisfying quick-service chain, credited for freshness, variety, and perceived value.

Hyper-focused menu of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and the cult-favorite Cane's Sauce. Doing one thing exceptionally well drives fanatical loyalty and one of the fastest expansion rates in the category.

Chick-fil-A held the #1 ACSI quick-service score for 11 straight years and, even after being edged out in 2026, remained a top performer at 83, still the leader in the chicken category.

In-N-Out ranks #1 in NPS among burger chains and topped Yelp's 2025 national burger rankings, sustaining cult loyalty on a famously limited fresh menu.

Chipotle dominates fast-casual Mexican with more than 3,900 restaurants and grew revenue 5.4% in fiscal 2025, though a consumer slowdown cooled its once double-digit pace.

A Texas institution with genuine regional devotion, 24-hour service, and larger, made-to-order burgers. The orange-and-white A-frames and fresh-off-the-grill patties earn it near-mythic status among fans.

Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, and chocolate cake shakes served with genuine character. A regional icon whose national expansion is met with lines out the door.

Shake Shack placed in Yelp's 2025 top-three national burger chains and ranks #2 in NPS behind only In-N-Out, and it was among the few brands defying the 2025 fast-casual slowdown.

Culver's rose as a burger-category satisfaction leader in the 2026 ACSI study, credited for fresh, made-to-order ButterBurgers and strong service.

Panda Express scored 80 on the 2025 ACSI, tying for second in its category as it keeps expanding its Asian-American bowls and Orange Chicken flagship.

A solid Chipotle alternative whose key edge is free guacamole and queso. Competent build-your-own burritos and bowls, but lacks the distinct identity to rise above the pack.

Genuinely fast subs with fresh-baked bread and the freaky-fast delivery gimmick. Reliable and quick, but a thin, no-frills sandwich keeps it out of the top tiers.

Wingstop grew systemwide sales 12.1% to $5.3 billion in fiscal 2025 on 493 net new openings, but posted its first annual domestic same-store sales decline in 22 years, so unit growth is masking softening per-store traffic.

Five Guys earned a mid-pack ACSI score of 75 out of 100 in 2025, respected for quality but weighed down by high prices relative to peers.

Panera's sales declined more than 5% in 2024 and it moved to close its remaining fresh-dough facilities, and its ACSI score of 79 trails Starbucks in the cafe category.

Ubiquity is its only strength; the bread and fillings are mediocre, quality has slid for years, and the value proposition has eroded. A shadow of its former dominance.

Sweetgreen posted an 11.5% same-store sales decline and a $49.7 million net loss in Q4 2025, widening its full-year loss to $134.1 million and marking the segment's most notorious stumble.