Fast food continues to be a favored dining option among people across the United States, appealing to individuals and families alike due to its taste, speed, affordability, and convenience. It serves as an ideal solution for those with hectic lifestyles who prefer a quick meal over cooking or dining in sit-down restaurants.
A recent report from the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has shed light on the fast food preferences across the country, highlighting the states that truly embrace the fast food culture. The study analyzed various metrics, including the density of fast food establishments relative to population across all 50 states, bringing to the forefront the regions where fast food reigns supreme.
The Top Ten Fast Food States in America
1) Maryland
Leading the pack, Maryland tops the rankings with an impressive 46.76% of its restaurants classified as fast food establishments. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of 35.70%, demonstrating a promising fast food climate in the state.
2) Nevada
Nevada comes in second place, earning a score of 97.24. The state features approximately 38.95 quick service restaurants for every 100,000 citizens, highlighting its robust fast food landscape, as reported by research conducted by Pricelisto.
3) Illinois
Illinois secures the third position with a score of 95.70, reflecting a strong affinity for fast food among its residents. The state sees 42.66 fast food outlets per 100,000 people, according to Pricelisto’s recent findings.
4) New York
New York, famously known as the Big Apple, ranks fourth with a score of 95.58. The state boasts a notable density of fast food options, providing 90.87 establishments per 100,000 inhabitants.
5) Hawaii
Rounding out the top five, Hawaii scores 94.85 and has a remarkable presence of fast food restaurants, with 95.11 per 100,000 residents. This is largely influenced by the influx of nearly 10 million tourists each year, as noted by Kirk Bachmann, provost of the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts:
“With a population of fewer than 1.5 million people and nearly 10 million tourists visiting each year, it’s no surprise that Hawaii rose to the top in terms of fast food restaurants per capita.”
“Other factors, like a high cost of living or even a large community of active duty and veteran servicemembers, could play a role — but Hawaii simply has a lot of hungry tourists to feed.”
6) California
California ranks sixth, receiving a score of 84.62. As per Pricelisto’s survey, the state has around 30.05 quick service restaurants per 100,000 residents, a number projected to increase steadily.
7) Ohio
Ohio holds the seventh position, displaying a score of 79.33. Despite being ranked fifth in terms of overall restaurant capacity, it has about 82.42 fast food restaurants for every 100,000 people.
8) Massachusetts
Massachusetts is eighth on the list with a score of 74.99, ranking fifth in expenditure on fast food. The state, however, has a lower density of fast food restaurants, averaging just 37.35 per 100,000 residents.
9) New Mexico
New Mexico ranks ninth with a score of 73.39, supported by a considerable number of fast food outlets at 42.05 franchises per 100,000 people, surpassing Massachusetts in this metric.
10) Oklahoma
Finally, Oklahoma rounds out the top ten with a score of 69.76. The state features 42.38 quick service restaurants for every 100,000 residents according to the 2024 survey data from Pricelisto.
This analysis highlights how various socio-economic factors, including income levels, tourism rates, and dining habits, can influence fast food consumption across the U.S. states.