Jersey Mike's dethrones Chick-fil-A as America's favorite fast-food chain
There's a new No. 1 fast-food chain in America, and its roots are just across the Hudson River from New York. Jersey Mike's Subs, which got its start at the Jersey Shore, has dethroned Chick-fil-A as the nation's top-rated quick-service restaurant in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index Restaurant and Food Delivery Study . Jersey Mike's takes top spot After leading the rankings for 11 consecutive years, Chick-fil-A fell to second place overall, though it remained the top-rated chicken chain. According to the ACSI study , Jersey Mike's earned a score of 84, edging Chick-fil-A's score of 83. Researchers said customers rated Jersey Mike's highly for freshness, food variety and value. The rankings are based on customer satisfaction data collected throughout 2025 and published in the 2026 report. Why sandwiches are a New York staple Sandwiches have long been a cornerstone of New York's food culture, reflecting the state's immigrant roots and regional traditions. New York City helped popularize iconic sandwiches such as pastrami on rye, Italian heroes and, more recently, the chopped cheese. Many of those creations trace their origins to immigrant communities that shaped the city's culinary identity. Upstate New York developed its own sandwich traditions, including Buffalo's
