From Burgers to Burritos: Maine’s Most Popular Fast Food Spots Revealed

Maine is without a doubt one of the top foodie destinations in the United States.

We're lucky to have a culinary scene that makes the most of Maine's fresh, flavorful local ingredients, something we should never take for granted. Trust me, there are plenty of places across the country that don’t even come close.

Maine Is Well-Respected for Its Culinary Fare

But even with Maine's incredible local restaurant scene, there's still a place for good old American fast food. Sometimes, you just need something quick, or you’re craving that Big Mac and fries. Or maybe a few drinks have led to an urgent need for some kind of fried chicken.

Maine might not have the biggest variety of fast food chains, but there are still plenty. Chances are, you pass by a handful of them every day on your way to work, school, or wherever you're headed.

The Most Popular Fast Food Chains Across America

The reason I bring this up is because I came across an interesting article that points out every state's most popular fast food chain. Found on the popular site Data Pandas, this list is an interesting look at what chains do the best in every region in America, including right here in Maine.

The reason I bring this up is that I came across an interesting article highlighting the most popular fast food chain in every state. Published on the popular site Data Pandas, the list offers a fascinating look at which chains perform best across different regions in America—including right here in Maine.

READ MORE: Popular Portland Neighborhood Named Best in Maine for Foodies

Data Pandas determined each state's top five most popular fast food chains by analyzing government reports and top-tier data sources. You can read more about their methodology here.

Maine's Five Most Popular Fast Food Chains

Now, here's a look at Maine's top five fast food joints:

5. Taco Bell – I must admit, I’m a little surprised. I expected Taco Bell to be on the list, but a bit higher. Let’s be honest—there’s nothing like a few tacos and a quesadilla to satisfy that craving.

4. Wendy’s – I guess Mainers love those square burgers—and they are tasty. Plus, the chicken sandwich game is pretty darn strong. And who doesn’t love a Frosty? (But it has to be chocolate.)

3. KFC – I mean, who doesn’t love fried chicken? The Colonel would be proud of these Northerners for being so into his chicken. I also think it benefits from the fact that the state lacks a large number of Chick-fil-A locations.

2. Five Guys – It’s a great burger, and they give you a mountain of delicious fries. Plus, there’s nothing like pounding down some peanuts while you wait.

Now to number one. Drumroll, please...

1. Burger King – Interesting to see Burger King take the top spot. It has struggled over the years to keep its footing, but the home of the Whopper is still going strong in Maine.

Congratulations to Burger King on its top marks. However, I think we need to talk about a few glaring omissions.

Jersey Mike’s – This definitely deserves a spot in the top five, although I get that it’s still relatively new to the area. I’m not even sure there was one in Maine when the data was collected in 2019–2020.

Chick-fil-A – It was always going to be at a disadvantage with only two locations in Maine. Still, it’s such a heavyweight that I thought it might carry more momentum.

McDonald’s – I mean, we’re talking about fast food royalty here. It definitely deserves more love.

Dunkin’ – We do live in New England, after all.

Interested in what other state had for their top five? You can find it right here.

Now I am very hungry.