Texas’ Top Fast-Food Chains and the Mystery of Whataburger

Get our free mobile app

Texas' Top Fast-Food Chains: Chick-fil-A, Domino’s, and the Mystery of Whataburger

With National Fast-Food Day tomorrow, November 16, it’s time to celebrate America’s love affair with quick and delicious meals. The fast-food industry is thriving, with an impressive surge to a $387.5 billion industry in 2023 — a 40% growth in the last decade.

Recently, the team at VegasInsider analyzed Google Search Trends to identify the most popular fast-food chains across the nation. In Texas, the results are surprising, sparking curiosity and some debate.

The Top Three in Texas

The Lone Star State crowned Domino’s as its favorite, with the pizza chain racking up a whopping 1,250,000 searches in the past year. Chick-fil-A followed closely at #2, with 1,220,000 searches, while Papa John’s rounded out the top three at 1,100,000 searches.

Here’s the full breakdown for Texas’ top fast-food favorites:

1. Domino’s – 1,250,000 searches
2. Chick-fil-A – 1,220,000 searches
3. Papa John’s – 1,100,000 searches
4. McDonald’s – 1,000,000 searches
5. Wingstop – 1,000,000 searches
6. Taco Bell – 673,000 searches
7. Chipotle – 550,000 searches
8. Pizza Hut – 475,000 searches
9. Panda Express – 450,000 searches
10. Subway – 435,000 searches

The Big Question: Where's Whataburger?

As a Texan and the author of this article, I can’t help but wonder: where’s Whataburger? And McDonald’s, the global fast-food juggernaut, didn’t make the top three in Texas. Even more mind-blowing is the absence of Whataburger, especially since it’s not just a fast-food chain, it’s a Texas institution!

Why Texans Don’t Need to Google Whataburger

The fact that Whataburger was founded right here in Corpus Christi back in 1950 makes its absence even harder to believe. It’s like leaving barbecue off a list of Texas food favorites, it just doesn’t feel right. I strongly believe that it's because it is a Texas Institution and that all Texans don't need to look up Whataburger on Google because we Texans all know what Whataburger serves, and where they are all located.

A Delicious Debate

While Domino’s, Chick-fil-A, and Papa John’s dominate the rankings, one thing is clear: Texans love their food fast, fresh, and flavorful. Whether it’s pizza night or chicken sandwich cravings, there’s no shortage of options to celebrate National Fast-Food Day.

What’s your favorite fast-food spot, in Texas? Let the debate begin.