America’s Fast-Food Capitals: Michigan Ranks 32nd Overall

Canva Pro Image 

Article courtesy of QR Code Generator.

• West Virginia is crowned the fast food capital of the US; there are almost 50 of the most popular fast food chains for every 100,000 residents

• Michigan is in 32nd place, with 36.25 restaurants per 100,000 people

• Subway is the most dominant fast food franchise in the US, with over 50% more restaurants than McDonald’s

New data has revealed the fast food capitals of America, with Michigan placing 32nd.

Experts at QR Code Generator examined the number of popular fast food restaurants in each state and compared this against the state population to see which ones have the most per 100,000 residents. The research included 22 fast food franchises, such as McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell, and Chipotle.

West Virginia is crowned the fast food capital of the US, with 49.04 fast food restaurants per 100,000 residents.

West Virginia is home to 868 fast food restaurants examined in the study. The Mountain States’ most common franchises are Subway, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s with 164, 104 and 72 restaurants, respectively.

Kentucky is second; for every 100,000 people, there are 47.21 fast food restaurants.

The most common chain in the state is Subway with 362 franchises, which amounts to almost eight restaurants per 100,000 Kentuckians. 52 of those establishments are in Louisville, the highest in Kentucky.

In close third is Kansas, with 47.1 fast food restaurants for every 100,000 residents.

Pizza Hut is Kansas’s second most common chain, with 165 restaurants. The number of Pizza Huts is up by 120% compared to rivals Domino’s and Papa Johns, which have a combined total of just 75 locations in this state.

Mississippi is fourth, with 46.71 fast food franchises per 100,000 people.

Sonic Drive-In, Wendy’s, and Burger King are among the state’s most common fast food chains, with a combined total of 307 restaurants.

Ohio ranks fifth; for every 100,000 residents, there are 46.43 fast food establishments. Ohio has the ninth highest number of Starbucks in the US, with 519 franchises.

Sixth is Indiana, with 46.37 fast food restaurants for every 100,000 residents. The three most accessible places to get a burger in this state are McDonald’s, with 353 locations; Dairy Queen, with 198; and Burger King, with 190.

Arkansas is seventh, with 46.19 fast food chains per 100,000 people. Arkansas is one of just 12 states to have a Whataburger, with four restaurants in total.

Louisiana is eighth; for every 100,000 residents, there are 45.41 fast food restaurants. In addition to fast food giants Subway and McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Popeyes are among the most common chains in this state.

In ninth is Tennessee, with 44.72 fast food franchises per 100,000 people. The state has the third highest number of Sonic Drive-Ins in the US at 228.

Tenth is Wyoming, with 44.34 fast food restaurants for every 100,000 residents. The Equality State has 59 Subway’s, which is equal to just over 10 per 100,000 people.

Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L, commented on the findings:

“America is famous for its fast food culture – not only is it convenient, but it’s also affordable, and the data highlights which states particularly benefit from this.

“However, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas have the highest prevalence of obesity in the US at 41.2%, 40.1%, and 40%, respectively, reflecting a correlation between fast food accessibility and adverse health outcomes, with these three states ranking among the top ten.

“Given the benefits of fast food, such as cost, it can be a great option for those who need a quick and cheap meal – but it’s essential to ensure that consuming this type of food does not become a habit, and that you regularly stick to a balanced diet rich with nutrients. This is especially important in the top-ranked states, where fast food is more available and can be more tempting.”

“Americans are known for their love of fast food; it combines the convenience of a meal prepared quickly for you with a low cost.

“According to data outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022, West Virginia has the highest proportion of adults with a BMI of 40% or greater, and perhaps this data helps to understand why.

“While fast food can be a great option, it is important to ensure that our diets are well balanced and that we are getting all of the nutrients we need.”

Methodology

Data on fast food locations was obtained from individual restaurant websites and Restaurant Location Maps.

Population data was obtained from the United States Census Bureau.

The following fast food chains were included in the study.

• Arby’s

• Chick-fill-a

• Chipotle

• Dairy Queen

• Dominos

• In-n-out

• KFC
• Dunkin Doughnuts
• Five Guys
• Wendy’s
• White Castle
• Whataburger
• Sonic Drive-In
• Subway
• Taco Bell
• McDonald’s
• Papa Johns
• Pizza Hut
• Starbucks
• Popeyes
• Burger King
• Raising Canes