- TRAVEL NEWS
FinanceBuzz found the top fast-casual chain in every state using Google Trends data and the number of locations per capita.
By Josh Koebert
Edited by Mindy Woodall
Updated April 29, 2024
Fact checked This article was subjected to a comprehensive fact-checking process. Our professional fact-checkers verify article information against primary sources, reputable publishers, and experts in the field.
We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.
Fast-casual restaurants fill the void for a quick, affordable meal when you don’t want to cook at home and need something better than fast food.
But similar to fast food chains, favorite fast-casual restaurants often vary by region. So which restaurant does each state love best, and is it worth your hard-earned cash? Our team at FinanceBuzz wanted to know, so we collected popularity data using metrics like search trends and locations in each state to find out.
In this data study
- Key findings
- The favorite sit-down chain restaurant in each state
- Full state-by-state results
- Bottom line
- Methodology
Key findings
- Applebee’s was the favorite restaurant among nine states. That’s more than any other fast-casual chain.
- Waffle House came in a close second — it was the favorite restaurant chain in seven different states.
- Denny’s, IHOP, Chili’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings were the only other chains on our list that were favorites in three or more states.
The favorite sit-down chain restaurant in each state
All told, 20 different fast-casual chains took the top spot in at least one state, showing how diverse the tastes and preferences of diners are across the country. However, even with such mixed preferences, a few restaurants managed to stand out.
Applebee’s is the favorite sit-down chain restaurant in nearly 20% of the country, taking the top spot in nine different states. This restaurant proved particularly popular in the Northeastern region of the country, which is home to six of the nine states where Applebees is the favorite.
Waffle House is the most popular chain in the second-highest number of states, and it has a similar regional popularity. This all-hours breakfast joint tops the list in seven different states, all of which are located in a contiguous group in the South that stretches from Louisiana to North Carolina.
We found similar, but less extreme, trends in the Midwest and the West. Buffalo Wild Wings reigns supreme in the Midwest where it’s the favorite chain in the connecting states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Meanwhile, out West, Denny’s is the go-to for people in California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Full state-by-state results
State | Favorite restaurant |
Alabama | Waffle House |
Alaska | Dave & Busters |
Arizona | Denny's |
Arkansas | Chili's |
California | Denny's |
Colorado | PF Chang's |
Connecticut | Chili's |
Delaware | Applebee's |
District of Columbia | Yard House |
Florida | First Watch |
Georgia | Waffle House |
Hawaii | California Pizza Kitchen |
Idaho | Sizzler |
Illinois | Buffalo Wild Wings |
Indiana | Buffalo Wild Wings |
Iowa | Applebee's |
Kansas | IHOP |
Kentucky | Cracker Barrel |
Louisiana | Waffle House |
Maine | Applebee's |
Maryland | IHOP |
Massachusetts | Uno Pizzeria |
Michigan | Applebee's |
Minnesota | Perkins Restaurant & Bakery |
Mississippi | Waffle House |
Missouri | First Watch |
Montana | Famous Dave's |
Nebraska | Village Inn |
Nevada | Denny's |
New Hampshire | Applebee's |
New Jersey | Applebee's |
New Mexico | Denny's |
New York | Dave & Busters |
North Carolina | Waffle House |
North Dakota | Applebee's |
Ohio | Bob Evans |
Oklahoma | Chili's |
Oregon | Red Robin |
Pennsylvania | Applebee's |
Rhode Island | Uno Pizzeria |
South Carolina | Waffle House |
South Dakota | Perkins Restaurant & Bakery |
Tennessee | Waffle House |
Texas | Chili's |
Utah | Sizzler |
Vermont | Applebee's |
Virginia | IHOP |
Washington | Red Robin |
West Virginia | Bob Evans |
Wisconsin | Buffalo Wild Wings |
Wyoming | Dickey's Barbecue Pit |
Bottom line
No matter where you eat, you can find ways to save while enjoying a night out. Here are some of our top tips for saving money on dining:
- Eat and drink your way to rewards. Some credit cards offer specific rewards if you use them to pay your bill. Use one of the best credit cards for dining out every time you’re at a restaurant or pub.
- Choose a credit card that rewards your experiences. If you’re someone who enjoys performances and dining out, choose a card that offers cash back. A cash back credit card with no annual fee could help you earn rewards on the experiences you love.
Methodology
FinanceBuzz pulled the Google Trends score for each restaurant and multiplied it by the number of locations per 100,000 people in every state to determine each state’s favorite fast-casual restaurant chain. Data was collected in March of 2024.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Benefits
Card Details
- Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
- Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
- Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
- No foreign transaction fees
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
4.1
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
+ -
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now