South Carolina

SC has a favorite fast-food chain, study shows. Quick hint — it’s not a chicken joint

South Carolina’s favorite fast-food restaurant has been revealed in a recent study.

Betsperts, a sports betting social network, conducted the study to reveal which states nationwide had the highest and lowest number of fast food restaurants, the most popular fast food across the country and worldwide as well as the countries with the most McDonald’s restaurants.

Research revealed that Starbucks was South Carolina residents’ most favorite fast-food restaurant to visit.

An informational graphic depicting each state’s favorite fast food restaurant, according to Betsperts.
An informational graphic depicting each state’s favorite fast food restaurant, according to Betsperts. Submitted

Not only was Starbucks ranked as the most popular fast-food chain in the Palmetto State, but the eatery was also found to be America’s favorite fast-food restaurant overall. The chain was the most popular in 24 states, according to the study. In addition, McDonald’s followed behind in second and Chick-fil-a featured in third place overall as the most favored fast food chains nationwide.

As for a worldwide favorite, McDonald’s was found to be the world’s most popular fast food restaurant with locations in 29 countries, according to Betsperts’ research. Starbucks followed behind in second overall worldwide and Domino’s came in third.

Out of these 29 countries, the U.S. is home to almost 9,000 more McDonald’s restaurants than in any other country worldwide. This leaves the chain with a total of 13,257 restaurants across the nation, as is reported in the study.

In the U.S., Alabama was discovered to be the fast food capital of North America with 6.3 fast food restaurants per 10,000 people.

An informational graphic depicting the number of fast food restaurants by state, according to Betsperts.
An informational graphic depicting the number of fast food restaurants by state, according to Betsperts. Submitted

Nebraska has the second most fast-food chains in the country with 5.4 of such restaurants per 10,000 people.

As for the states with the third most number of fast-food chains, West Virginia and Oklahoma tied with 5.3 fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people.

South Carolina came in ninth place, with 4.8 fast-food restaurants per 10,000 people.

In comparison, Vermont was found to have the fewest number of fast-food restaurants in the state with 1.9 restaurants per 10,000 people, as is detailed in the study.

This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 8:00 AM.

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Sarah Claire McDonald
The Island Packet
Sarah Claire McDonald worked as a Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. She specialized in writing audience-focused, unique, spotlight stories about people, places and occurrences in the Lowcountry. Originally from the Midwest, Sarah Claire studied news media, communications and English at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she graduated in 2021.
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