In-N-Out leads the fry rankings with a 3.86 rating, followed by Shake Shack at 3.7. The data reveals surprising gaps between regional favorites and national chains.
The Data
Americans consume over 4.5 billion pounds of french fries annually, making them the most popular side dish in the country. But which fast food chain makes the best fries? Consumer ratings tell a clear story.
| Rank | Chain | Rating | Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In-N-Out | 3.86 | Fresh-cut | $ |
| 2 | Shake Shack | 3.70 | Crinkle-cut | $$ |
| 3 | Freddy's | 3.59 | Shoestring | $ |
| 4 | Culver's | 3.53 | Crinkle-cut | $ |
| 5 | Five Guys | 3.49 | Fresh-cut | $$ |
| 6 | Chick-fil-A | 3.44 | Waffle | $ |
| 7 | Raising Cane's | 3.36 | Crinkle-cut | $ |
| 8 | Arby's | 3.32 | Curly | $ |
| 9 | Wendy's | 3.26 | Natural-cut | $ |
| 10 | McDonald's | 3.22 | Thin-cut | $ |
Analysis
Regional chains dominate the top spots. In-N-Out, Shake Shack, Freddy's, and Culver's—all regional or semi-regional chains—hold the top four positions. Their smaller footprint allows for fresher ingredients and more consistent quality control.
Fresh-cut wins. The top-rated chains (In-N-Out, Five Guys) hand-cut their potatoes daily, while lower-ranked national chains use frozen, pre-processed fries. The difference in taste is measurable in consumer ratings.
McDonald's iconic fries rank mid-pack. Despite being perhaps the most recognizable fries in the world, McDonald's lands at #10 with a 3.22 rating. The chain serves 9 million pounds of fries daily globally, and scale may impact quality perception.
The Fry Gap
The difference between #1 (In-N-Out at 3.86) and #15 (Sonic at 2.74) represents a 41% gap in consumer satisfaction. This spread demonstrates that not all fast food fries are created equal—quality variance in this category is significant.
Chains at the bottom of the rankings (Sonic, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell) share a common trait: fries aren't their primary focus. Sonic specializes in drinks, Jack in the Box in variety, and Taco Bell in Mexican-inspired fare. For these chains, fries are an afterthought.
Methodology
Ratings compiled from Yelp consumer reviews and Seating Masters industry analysis. Ratings are on a 5-point scale based on aggregated customer satisfaction scores specifically for french fry menu items. Sample sizes exceed 10,000 reviews per chain.
