Jersey Mike's Ends Chick-fil-A's 11-Year Fast-Food Streak

Chick-fil-A has looked almost indestructible in the fast-food industry.

For over a decade, the chicken chain sat right at the top of a closely watched customer-satisfaction ranking, turning speed, service, and loyalty into one of the strongest reputations in the space.

That streak is now over.

The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index survey showed that a brand-new leader has edged ahead, with diners rewarding freshness, variety, and value at a time when restaurant customers are becoming harder to impress.

Chick-fil-A still leads the chicken category, though, and remains one of the most powerful names in quick service.

The bigger story is what finally changed around it.

What the new fast-food ranking said about Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A's 11-year hold on the top spot in fast food finally broke in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index restaurant report.

According to the ACSI, Jersey Mike's outpaced the chicken chain after 16,464 customers weighed in on recent restaurant experiences.

The sandwich chain was praised for freshness, menu variety, and value, three areas that have become more important as diners push back against higher restaurant prices.

Nevertheless, Chick-fil-A still remained the clear leader in the chicken category, ahead of KFC, Raising Cane's, Wingstop, and Popeyes.

Jersey Mike's storms into the ranking with serious growth behind it.

According to the report, the chain added 238 new locations in 2025, reaching $4.2 billion in systemwide sales, demonstrating its ability to expand swiftly without sacrificing the perception of quality that has kept customers loyal.

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On the win, the CEO of Jersey Mike's, Charlie Morrison, said in a LinkedIn post:

"What an incredible reflection of the hard work and dedication our franchise owners and team members put into this brand every day to deliver A Sub Above. The results speak for themselves, and I couldn't be more honored to be a part of this remarkable team that cares so deeply about the experience they are creating for our guests."

The rest of the ACSI rankings showed off how competitive things have become in that category.

Jimmy John's and Panda Express tied near the top, while KFC, Papa John's, and Domino's also ranked highly. Raising Cane's, Starbucks, and Subway followed, with Burger King, Dunkin', and Little Caesars also making the list.

In category-specific rankings, Jersey Mike's led sandwiches, Papa John's led pizza, Burger King led burgers, and Texas Roadhouse topped full-service restaurants.

Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Key numbers behind Chick-fil-A's rise and what sets it apart

Chick-fil-A has been an outlier, operating like a high-volume service machine.

It has done a great job of avoiding reliance on a sprawling product lineup and focusing on chicken, consistency, speed, and unusually strong hospitality.

According to QSR Magazine, traditional domestic freestanding or drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A restaurants generated median annual sales of about $9.09 million in 2025, underscoring tremendous productivity in its stores.

Restaurant Dive has also reported that Chick-fil-A leads in drive-thru satisfaction, even with longer lines, because it moves cars through more efficiently and keeps the experience under control.

Related: Fast-food burger chain closing iconic location after 10 years

Another major edge is its owner-operator model.

Chick-fil-A operators are typically closer to daily restaurant execution, which helps protect service quality as the chain grows. That mix of focus, throughput, and hospitality is the real moat.

• According to QSR Magazine, Chick-fil-A's systemwide sales hit $23.9 billion in 2025, up from $22.7 billion in 2024 and $21.6 billion in 2023.
  
  Chick-fil-A added a net 179 franchised and company-operated stores in 2025, reaching 2,863 outlets, excluding licensed units. Traditional domestic freestanding or drive-thru-only restaurants produced median annual sales of about $9.09 million in 2025. Chick-fil-A led the 2025 chicken-chain ranking category with $22.7 billion in 2024 sales, far ahead of Popeyes at $5.7 billion and Raising Cane's at $5 billion.
• Chick-fil-A generated about $6.83 billion in U.S. systemwide sales in 2015, meaning sales have grown roughly 3.5 times in 10 years, according to Business Insider, .
• According to ACSI's 2026 restaurant study, Chick-fil-A lost the overall QSR crown to Jersey Mike's but remained the chicken-category leader with a score of 83.

Why restaurant prices are changing the fast-food race

One key point is that the restaurant industry is no longer growing primarily on traffic.

According to ACSI, chain restaurant sales rose 3% in 2025, outpacing the 3.8% menu-price inflation rate, suggesting higher prices did more of the work than stronger demand.

The group also said that quick-service restaurants are now facing traffic pressure as customers question whether the experience justifies the price.

That pressure shows up in broader inflation data.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food-away-from-home prices rose 3.5% over the 12 months through May 2026, with full-service meals up 3.8% and limited-service meals up 3.3%.

The National Restaurant Association said menu prices rose 0.3% in May and were up 3.5% year over year, even as grocery prices rose 2.7%.

Moreover, McKinsey said value and pricing remain at the core of consumers' minds, while inflation and economic uncertainty force diners to rethink every restaurant visit.

So Jersey Mike's win is not just about sandwiches beating chicken. It shows customers are rewarding chains that make higher prices feel worth paying.

Related: Beloved all-you-can-eat chain has closed most restaurants

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 5:17 PM.