The Best Regional Fast Food Chains In Every State

When you think of a fast food chain, the usual suspects come to mind: McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Burger King. In recent years, the restaurant industry has changed to referring to fast food places as quick-service restaurants (QSR), and the new-ish hybrid of fast food and casual-dining restaurants (like Applebee’s) is called fast casual. Where the definitions blur is with regional fast food chains, meaning a QSR that usually started out in a particular state as a mom-and-pop shop and gained a devoted following thus enabling them to grow. 

Sometimes it’s a few stores that don’t cross state lines. Other times, they expand nationally. Most times, though, they’re known for their specialties in their region. The regional fast food chains we explore here have personality, quirks, and often, delicious food you can’t get anywhere else in the U.S. If you’re planning a road trip or visiting family or friends, check out our list of the best regional fast food chains in every state.