Chick-fil-A is no longer the top-rated fast-food chain in America. After 11 years in first place, it has been passed by Jersey Mike’s in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index.
The shift matters because the ACSI is based on thousands of customer surveys and is closely watched as a measure of how diners feel about value, consistency, and service across major restaurant brands.
Jersey Mike’s moves into first place
The new ACSI restaurant report, published Tuesday, June 16, put Jersey Mike’s at the top of the quick-service category with a score of 84 out of 100. Chick-fil-A followed at 83, ending its long streak as the leading chain in the rankings.
The index drew on responses from 16,464 customers who were asked about their recent experiences at major restaurant brands. According to the report, customers in 2025 placed more weight on consistency, reliability, and perceived value, not just low prices.
Jersey Mike’s gain comes during a period of expansion for the sandwich chain. The company added 238 net new locations in 2025 and recorded $4.2 billion in sales, figures that helped show growing momentum as it edged past Chick-fil-A by a single point.
What the rankings show about customer tastes
The broader list suggests diners are becoming more selective as restaurant prices stay elevated. Jimmy John’s and Panda Express each scored 81, while KFC, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s all landed at 80.
Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, and Subway each scored 79. Burger King, Culver’s, Dunkin’, and Little Caesars followed at 78, showing a tightly packed field where even small differences can shift the order.
In its report, ACSI said total restaurant sales in 2025 struggled to keep up with inflation. It added that brands offering a dependable and enjoyable experience are gaining ground in a market where customers are making more trade-offs with their spending.
Chick-fil-A still leads chicken, and other category winners
Even though Chick-fil-A lost the overall quick-service crown, it still led the chicken category. KFC, Raising Cane’s, Wingstop, and Popeyes rounded out the top five among chicken chains.
Jersey Mike’s remained the leader in sandwiches, ahead of Jimmy John’s, Subway, and Arby’s. In pizza, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut tied for the top spot, while Starbucks led coffee, bakery, and cafe chains.
Burger King and Culver’s were the highest-rated burger chains in the report. One notable result was McDonald’s, which ranked seventh in burgers with a score of 72, well outside the top tier and a sign that size does not always translate into stronger customer satisfaction.
