It is official—Jersey Mike’s Subs has taken the crown.
According to the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study, Jersey Mike’s debuted at the very top of the quick-service category with a score of 84 out of 100, ending Chick-fil-A’s historic 11-year streak at number one.
Don’t worry, Chick-fil-A fans; the chicken giant didn’t actually drop in quality. It held onto its steady score of 83, remaining the undisputed king of the chicken category. Jersey Mike’s simply edged past it by a single point, heavily driven by high customer marks for freshness (like slicing the meats right in front of you), menu variety, and reliable value.
The Top 10 Fast Food Chains (2026 ACSI Rankings)
| Rank | Fast Food Chain | 2026 ACSI Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey Mike’s | 84 |
| 2 | Chick-fil-A | 83 |
| 3 | Jimmy John’s | 81 |
| 4 | Panda Express | 81 |
| 5 | KFC | 80 |
| 6 | Papa Johns | 80 |
| 7 | Pizza Hut | 80 |
| 8 | Domino’s | 79 |
| 9 | Raising Cane’s | 79 |
| 10 | Starbucks | 79 |
What’s Driving the Change?
The study highlighted that as fast-food prices have steadily risen over the last few years, consumer expectations have shifted. While finding a low price still matters, diners are increasingly prioritizing consistency, order accuracy, and the freshness of the actual experience over just chasing the cheapest dollar menu item.
The sub chain’s victory comes right on the heels of a major expansion, having added hundreds of locations and hitting over $4 billion in systemwide sales, proving they could scale up rapidly without letting their customer service slide.