American chains
Classic American burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
McDonald's
The world's largest burger chain, operating in nearly every US town.
Burger King
Home of the Whopper — flame-grilled burgers and a deep value menu.
Wendy's
Square fresh-beef burgers, Frosty shakes, and a famously snarky brand voice.
Sonic
Drive-in burgers, slushes, and signature shakes you order from your car.
In-N-Out Burger
California cult-favorite burger chain with a famously short menu.
Five Guys
Hand-formed burgers, free peanuts, and a build-your-own toppings bar.
Shake Shack
Modern burger and shake chain born in NYC's Madison Square Park.
Whataburger
Texas-born orange-and-white burger chain known for the original Whataburger.
Culver's
Wisconsin-born ButterBurgers, fresh frozen custard, and cheese curds.
Jack in the Box
Eclectic late-night menu spanning burgers, tacos, breakfast, and curly fries.
Carl's Jr.
Western-US charbroiled burger chain (Hardee's east of the Mississippi).
White Castle
America's first fast-food hamburger chain — original sliders since 1921.
Hardee's
Eastern-US sister chain to Carl's Jr. — Thickburgers and Made-from-Scratch Biscuits.
About American in US fast food
The bedrock of US fast food. Burger-centric chains that built the drive-thru model in the postwar era — McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Sonic — plus regional cult favorites like In-N-Out, Whataburger, and Culver's.