How do eating-out trends vary among generations?

Are Americans more likely to eat out the richer they are? A new survey of 44,000 Americans by YouGov gives some evidence they are not. America’s poorest generation — Gen Z — is the most likely generation to spend the most every month at restaurants.

But across the board, Americans love to eat out. Only 4% of respondents said they never purchase food from restaurants or fast food places.

In fact, the survey revealed that about a third (30%) of Americans dined out at least once a week. That 30% demographic is young, with 51% under the age of 45, and highly educated, with 39% holding a college or postgraduate degree.

Those who budget more money for dining out also skew younger. Nearly one in five (17%) respondents aged 18 to 29 said they budget more than $300 a month to eating out, compared to only 2% of seniors allocating the same amount.

This raises the question: Where do diners choose to spend their money? Which restaurants get the most votes, and who ranks highest in specialty categories like best burger or slice of pizza?

The survey data reveals those top spots and highlights the cultural divide over why some people love Chick-fil-A and others love to hate it.

The top of the food chain

The crown for the restaurant with the highest overall customer consideration goes to the Golden Arches. McDonald’s reigns supreme, earning a 40% consideration rate among consumers.

McDonald’s also dominates competition in the french fry game, securing 39.2% of the vote. Its closest competitor, Five Guys, is a distant second at 9%. McDonald’s fry score is larger than the scores of Five Guys, Chick-fil-A (7.1%), Wendy’s (6.9%) and Burger King (6.5%) combined.

While the mega-chain rules the landscape and the fryer, the rest of the kitchen is up for grabs. When it comes to the actual burger, Five Guys and Burger King knocked McDonald’s off its pedestal.

When consumers voted on specific food categories based on quality and value, several chains stood out among the rest:

• Chicken: Chick-fil-A rules the roost.
• Tacos: Taco Bell locks down the category over fast-casual giants like Chipotle and Moe’s.
• Sandwiches: Subway retains the legacy crown, but Jersey Mike’s is not far behind.
• Pizza: Pizza Hut rules the savory pie game, after all, no one “out pizzas the Hut.”
• Dessert and coffee: Cold Stone Creamery was the highest consideration for ice cream, while Starbucks remains the king of coffee.

The Chick-fil-A paradox

Chick-fil-A scored second in overall national consideration among study participants but dominated the chicken category.

In a deep dive into consumer preference, YouGov used AI-facilitated interviews to understand the reasoning of 525 individuals regarding the chicken chain.

The consensus? Chick-fil-A was drastically more likely to leave guests with a positive impression than a negative one.

For many, it came down to customer service and execution. “The food hits every time, especially how fresh everything tastes,” noted one middle-aged male respondent, adding that the brand’s customer service sets it apart. “They treat you like a human being, not just another order.”

Another male diner in the 18-34 group agreed: “I think that warm feeling comes from how the team treats me. ... They always greet me with a genuine smile and make sure my table is clean, which makes me feel like a valued guest rather than just another order number.”

Even the restaurant’s notoriously long drive-thru lines are seen as a badge of honor to some. As one female respondent put it, “The worst problem you ever have is the long line and that just tells you that everyone else wants to eat there too, so you know you’re at the right place.”

For some older diners, the love goes beyond the meals or quality service. “It’s impressive when at the risk of losing business and people’s respect people still don’t hide their faith. I am a follower of Jesus also and it helps me be less afraid,” said one female respondent over 50.

But while those corporate values drive some customers through the doors, they drive others out.

“The food and service are good but this restaurant has thrust its religious and political opinions, that don’t match my own, into the social framework of the U.S,” argued one male respondent over 50. “The restaurant takes a stand and so do I.”

In 2026, “owning the menu” looks a little different than it did 20 years ago. Today, consumers will vocally support or boycott chains based on corporate identity and perceived value and will bring social media with them. For those who think the food “hits every time,” America will keep showing up.