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1. Chick-fil-A
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
US sales: $6.29 billion
Number of US restaurants: 1,950
Financial performance rank: 2
Customer satisfaction rank: 2
Value rank: 4
Chick-fil-A claims the crown as America’s best fast-food chain as the only one to rank in the top five each for financial performance, customer satisfaction, and value.
This Southern favorite — which recently opened its first location in New York City — is the largest food chain on our list and eighth-largest in the US by sales. The fried-chicken chain has recently diversified its menu, adding a kale and broccolini salad, a premium coffee line, new sauces, and a barbecue-bacon sandwich in an effort to take on competitors.
In 2012, Chick-fil-A sparked public outcry over executives’ antigay-marriage stance, but last year some of its restaurants started supporting gay pride events. Nonetheless, many customers are drawn to Chick-fil-A for its Southern hospitality, where a “Thank you!” has been met with an enthusiastic “It’s my pleasure!” for nearly 70 years.
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