For years, Chick-fil-A has been the undisputed king of customer satisfaction in the fast-food industry. But a new national study shows there is a new favorite among American diners.

Jersey Mike’s has claimed the top spot in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rankings, ending Chick-fil-A’s long reign at the top of the quick-service restaurant category.

The annual study, released Tuesday, surveyed 16,464 customers between April 2025 and March 2026. Jersey Mike’s earned a score of 84 out of 100, narrowly beating Chick-fil-A, which received a score of 83.

The ACSI called Jersey Mike’s “a new leader among QSRs,” noting that this is the first time in more than a decade that a different restaurant chain has topped the quick-service rankings.

The achievement is particularly notable given Jersey Mike’s rapid growth in recent years. Founded in 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, the sandwich chain now operates more than 4,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

According to the ACSI report, the company has managed to maintain strong customer satisfaction even while significantly expanding its footprint.

“Jersey Mike’s ACSI success is consistent with their business performance, including rapid unit growth, strong customer demand, and a model designed around throughput and off-premise convenience from high digital pickup usage,” the report stated.

The study also pointed to the chain’s focused business approach as a contributing factor. The ACSI noted that Jersey Mike’s menu is “fairly narrow, and they have a model conducive to franchisee success.”

Known for its made-to-order submarine sandwiches and its signature “Mike’s Way” preparation—with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and spices—the chain has built a loyal customer base that appears to be growing.

While Chick-fil-A was dethroned from the top position, the report made clear that the popular Atlanta-based restaurant remains a dominant force in the industry.

The ACSI described Chick-fil-A as “still the clear leader for chicken,” highlighting the chain’s continued strength despite slipping one point behind Jersey Mike’s.

For many Christians, Chick-fil-A has long enjoyed a unique place in American culture because of its faith-inspired business practices, including remaining closed on Sundays to honor a principle established by founder S. Truett Cathy. The company’s commitment to customer service has also made it a consistent favorite among diners.

Several other major chains rounded out the rankings. Jimmy John’s and Panda Express tied for third place with scores of 81. KFC, Papa Johns, and Pizza Hut each earned scores of 80, while Domino’s, Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, and Subway followed with scores of 79.

Near the bottom of the list were Burger King, Culver’s, Dunkin’, Little Caesars, and Panera Bread, each receiving scores of 78. Dairy Queen and McDonald’s tied for last place among major quick-service chains with scores of 72.

The latest rankings show that customer loyalty can shift even in a competitive industry dominated by established brands. For now, Jersey Mike’s has earned the title of America’s most satisfying fast-food experience—at least according to the customers who participated in this year’s survey.