When the craving strikes, nothing hits the spot quite like a juicy burger from a fast food chain. From coast to coast, these joints have mastered the art of the quick, consistently delicious burger, with some becoming icons of American dining culture. But which chains truly stand out? From global giants where you’re guaranteed a cheap and satisfying bite to regional favorites with a cult following, these spots are the best in the biz.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best fast food burger chains in the USA and Canada, counting down to the greatest of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each chain in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

Burgerville is born and bred in the Pacific Northwest, and the chain misses no opportunity to tell diners that its menu is predominantly sourced from local suppliers. The joint also boasts of its impressive sustainability credentials and its role in local communities. Burgerville has around 40 locations, each one serving the signature Colossal Burger, containing two 1/4lb patties, American cheese, signature Burgerville spread, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. 

Milo’s Hamburgers, known by locals simply as Milo’s, is an Alabama institution. It was established in 1946 and was initially slow to enter the franchising business; its second store eventually opened in 1982. Nowadays, you’ll find over 20 locations across the Yellowhammer State. The chain has become beloved for its smoky, sweet, and savory secret sauce, which is slathered generously over its burgers.

Kicking things off in Boulder, Colorado in 1987, Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard is a small but mighty chain with over 25 locations across the Centennial State, plus a handful in Wyoming. As its name suggests, this fast food brand is known for its fresh, all-natural burgers and its mouthwatering frozen custard. Highlights include a classic Bacon Cheeseburger and mini Bambino Cheeseburger sliders.

White Castle is arguably where the fast food trend started – it set up shop in Wichita, Kansas back in 1921. The heart and soul of the chain is its Original Slider: a small, square burger unlike almost anything else on the market. White Castle patented its unique burger-cooking method in 1947, and its line cooks still use it today. Its patties are punctured with five holes (to seal in the flavor and get them cooked faster), then steam-grilled with onions and pickles. Try a slider or two at one of the 300-plus locations around the US.

Carl's Jr. is predominantly known as a West Coast chain, although the burger joint actually has over 1,000 outlets across the US (and 28 other countries). And that's not counting any outlets of its sister chain, Hardee's. Founded in the 1940s, Carl's signature menu items are its charbroiled burgers and special sauce. Apparently, founder Carl Karcher created and perfected the recipe for the sauce himself.

Canadian premium fast food chain Triple O's has about 70 locations in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, and there are a few more outlets in Asia. The first restaurant, a spin-off from the full-service diner White Spot, opened in 1997, and followers are still big fans of its fresh-never-frozen Canadian beef burgers, which are always served with the joint's secret Triple O sauce. Oh, and let's not forget the signature pickle that comes draped over the top of the bun.

Set up in Toronto in 2010, The Burger Priest was inspired by old-school burger joints that grilled freshly made patties to perfection. Fast forward to today, and the brand uses 100% premium Canadian beef, hand-breaded chicken, and fresh-cut fries. Its burgers are indulgently delicious and messy, with oozy cheese and meat juices running down the sides. But why call it The Burger Priest? The founder was said to have been studying to become a priest when he made the switch to restaurateur, ultimately inspiring the brand’s catchy name.

Inspired by the laid-back vibes of burger joints along the Californian coast, Islands Restaurants opened its doors in 1982 – and it hasn’t looked back since. Four decades on, the chain boasts over 35 locations across the Golden State and Arizona. Islands Restaurants is known for its hearty burgers; go classic with the Big Wave (lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and mustard) or try something different with the Hula, which features a beef patty topped with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

Since merging in 1999, Checkers and Rally's are essentially the same restaurant with different names. The two chains share suppliers, menus, and headquarters – the only difference is the sign above the door. But whether you're in a Checkers or a Rally's (of which there are more than 800 in the US), the star of the menu is always the Big Buford. It's a bakery-style bun stuffed with a double cheeseburger, salad, and condiments.

For giant, juicy burgers that are always fresh and made to order, Wayback Burgers is the place to go. The US chain was originally named Jake’s Wayback Burgers, and its first shop opened in Newark, Delaware in 1991. It now has over 90 locations, with further stores in development. Popular burger choices include the Double Bacon (two beef patties, four slices of bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, mustard, and ketchup) and the Carolina: two beef patties topped with American cheese, slaw, chili, onions, and mustard.

Despite having more than 2,000 locations in the US, Jack in the Box doesn't seem to have the same reach as other fast food behemoths. Still, the chain has been slinging burgers since 1951, and it's since become known for other food items, such as tacos and all-day breakfasts. The number one burger on the menu is the Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger, with two beef patties, American cheese, salad, ketchup, and mayo.

It might be something of a stretch to claim that the menu at Original Tommy's is 'world famous,' like it says on the sign, but it certainly has a unique take on fast food. Original Tommy’s is best known for slinging delightfully messy burgers topped with its signature rich and savory beef chili. The must-order is the double chili burger: a golden bun loaded with juicy patties, American cheese, fresh chili, pickles, tomato, and mustard. With 32 locations across California and Nevada, Tommy's is a small chain that's made a big impact.

Inspired by the diners of the 1950s, Bill and Randy Simon and Scott Redler opened Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in 2002 in Wichita, Kansas. The franchise has bloomed to more than 500 locations in the US and Canada without losing any of that homegrown charm. The frozen custard is good, of course, but it's all about the burgers here. The Original Double is the star of the show, featuring the joint's signature huge pickles and smashed patties with beautifully crispy edges.

Sonic Drive-In has been serving customers since 1953 (originally under the name Top Hat), and it now has some 3,500 locations across the US. You don't get to be that big without giving people what they want: fast, tasty burgers. The go-to order has to be the Double Sonic Smasher, featuring two smashed, seared patties, melty American cheese, Smasher sauce, crinkle-cut pickles, and diced onions. Crinkle-cut fries on the side are a must, too.

The first of the global big hitters on our list, Burger King has been a fast food icon since 1954, and it's still one of the largest fast food chains in the world, with 19,000+ locations in over 100 countries and US territories. At the heart of all this success is the Whopper. Created by Burger King co-founder James McLamore in 1957, the Whopper was the biggest burger around for a while (the Big Mac didn't arrive until 1968), and it's secured its place in fast food history. It remains the cornerstone of any BK menu.

A Canadian fast food favorite, Hero Certified Burgers is a burger chain with a mission. Founder and former cheesemaker John F. Lettieri couldn't find an all-natural Angus beef burger with a real slice of Canadian Cheddar cheese at any fast food joints – so, in 2003, he decided to fill this gap in the market. The chain's goal of serving all-natural food at reasonable prices has been enough to see it grow to over 60 locations around the country.

My Burger is appropriately named, because its USP is to allow customers to create their own perfect burgers. So, you can order an Original Burger (ketchup, mustard, fried onions, and sweet pickles) off the menu but choose to add an array of toppings – including fried eggs, Cajun spices, and teriyaki sauce. The first outlet opened in Minneapolis in 2004, and the family-run mini-chain now has 10 locations in the area.

It doesn't get much more old-school than A&W. This nostalgic chain, known for its burgers, hot dogs, and root beer, opened its first drive-in spot in the 1920s in Sacramento, California. The chain is still going strong today, with several retro drive-in outlets across America. A&W arrived in Canada in 1956 – and, as it expanded to more than 1,000 restaurants across the country, the chain was the first major fast food brand to make a really big splash in many territories. It also claims to be the only Canadian burger chain using beef raised without hormones or steroids.

Allen Schoop opened the first Schoop's Hamburgers in 1948, and the chain has been smashing patties onto the grill ever since. Now with 13 locations in Indiana and Illinois, the joint spreads its patties so thin that the edges become dangerously crispy and the burger spills out of the bun. The signature order is the Mickey – a smashed-to-order beef patty topped with two slices of American cheese and your choice of ketchup, mustard, onions, pickle, lettuce, tomato, mayo, or sweet relish.

Founded in Ohio in 1934, Swensons Drive-In is a throwback fast food chain that delivers a unique experience alongside a menu of brilliant burgers. Once you pull into the lot, turn on your lights for curbside service, then sit back and relax. If it's your first time at this 20-location joint, the burger to order is the Galley Boy. This distinctive Swensons item is a double cheeseburger with two special sauces, and it's served garnished with an olive skewered to the top of the bun. It's a Buckeye State fast food icon.

Although it has the look and feel of an old-school chain, David's Burgers only opened in Arkansas in 2010. Now with 10 outlets in the Natural State, David's Burgers has maintained its success through focusing on what's important: high-quality beef and high-quality burgers. The menu is small but perfectly formed, with single and double burgers made with only the best butcher-approved beef. 

You'll recognize a Smalls Sliders restaurant anywhere. After all, the restaurants are bright orange shipping containers – or 'cans,' in the chain's parlance – that have been designed for maximum impact and efficiency. The menu is similarly small but mighty, focusing on delicious cheeseburgers, fries, and shakes. It's one of the fastest growing burger joints in the US, with over 350 locations already open or under development.

Harvey's is all about customizable burgers. Choose a burger from the menu – plain, with cheese, or with cheese and bacon – and then top it however you like with items from the garnish counter. The joint offers nine salad items and 11 sauces for your eating pleasure (as well as cheese, bacon, and onion rings at an extra cost). Its mix-and-match appeal is arguably why Harvey's has managed to expand to over 300 locations in Canada since it first opened in 1959.

Whataburger has more than 1,000 locations in the US, but more than three-quarters of them are found in Texas. It's been a staple of the Lone Star State since 1950, and locals have grown extremely fond of its Double Meat Whataburger: a five-inch patty served in a large bun with just the right amount of lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and mustard. One bite might even make you exclaim, "What a burger!"

Canada's Big Smoke Burger sets itself apart from the pack by focusing on handmade food. Its burgers are cooked to order, its French fries are hand cut, and its sauces are made in house at all nine of its locations. But none of this would matter if the food didn't taste good – and luckily, the chain has nailed this as well. The Big Smoke burger is a solid place to start, featuring a beef patty, caramelized onions, horseradish mayo, smoked Canadian Cheddar, lettuce, and tomato.

Blake's Lotaburger has been a local favorite since it opened in New Mexico in 1952, and the rest of the world finally caught up once the chain popped up in cult TV show Breaking Bad in 2010. There are now 75 locations, and each one sells the joint's signature order: the Lota Burger New Mexico Style. It features two premium beef patties, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and flame-roasted Hatch green chiles – so it's not for the faint-hearted.

Contrary to what you may think, Fat Patty's isn't named after a person called Patty. Rather, it's a descriptive name for the joint's chunky beef patties and fully loaded burgers. The mini-chain opened in 2007 in West Virginia, and it's gathered a loyal following through five new openings, with lots more on the cards. The starting point for newbies is the OG Patty, featuring a classic combo of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and mayo.

Pal's Sudden Service's claim to fame is that it earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001. To this day, it's still the only fast food chain with this prestigious award, which is usually reserved for high-end hotels, schools, and health centers. The restaurant has grown since then; now, there are 31 Pal's throughout Tennessee and Virginia, all serving the signature Big Pal: a hefty 1/3lb beef patty with all the classic accompaniments.

Customers can visit a Culver's in over 1,000 locations in 26 states and territories throughout the US – although folks are most likely to find one in the Midwest. And the reason to seek out this family-run chain is the ButterBurger Cheese. A fast food classic, this iconic burger features local beef, melted Wisconsin Cheddar, and a generously buttered bun. It's a must-try for any fast food aficionado.

The Wendy's empire started when Dave Thomas opened the first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio in 1969. Thomas made the joint stand out by making square burgers; he believed that the angular shape allowed customers to better see the quality of the beef. It probably didn't hurt that you can get more square patties on a grill than round ones, too... Dave's Double is the burger to start with, though the Baconator, with six slices of bacon, is also a popular choice. Incredibly, the US is home to almost 6,000 Wendy's restaurants.

Customers who head into Krystal need to learn the Krystal lingo before they can place an order. For those not in the know, this joint calls beef sliders Krystals, chicken sliders Chiks, hot dog sliders Pups, and sausage patty and egg sliders Sunrisers. These can all be ordered on their own, but you can also get Krystals by the sackful. It's the way the Tennessee-founded chain has been doing it since 1932, and it claims to have sold over 10 billion sliders from its 300-plus restaurants to date.

Smashburger didn't invent the concept of a smashed patty, but it did capitalize on the idea at exactly the right moment. The first restaurant opened in 2007, just as the fast casual trend was blossoming and customers seemed to be looking for better burgers from fast food joints. Smashburger quickly went from strength to strength, growing to over 370 locations in nine countries around the world. But at the heart of it all is still the House Smash, featuring two smashed beef patties, cheese, pickles, and Smash sauce.

The most famous fast food chain of them all, McDonald's hardly needs any introduction. The chain is a world-conquering juggernaut, with a mind-boggling 41,000-plus locations in 100 countries all over the planet, including more than 13,000 outlets in the US. It's only going to get bigger, too; the company stated in December 2023 that it aims to hit 50,000 restaurants in 2027. It's come a long way since its first location opened in San Bernardino, California in 1940.

The clue to this burger joint's mission is all in the name: Elevation Burgers hopes to elevate the fast casual burger experience to another level. The company only uses 100% organic and grass-fed beef, as well as organic chicken, vegan, and veggie patties. Even its fries are done differently; its potatoes are fried in what it calls 'heart-healthy' olive oil. Fueled by a mouthwatering menu of build-your-own burgers and signature styles, it's expanded to 36 outlets since it launched in 2005.

Anybody thinking of opening a Fatburger franchise will have to join a line of celebrity Fatburger fans. Previous famous owners and investors have included Magic Johnson, Montell Williams, Queen Latifah, and Pharrell Williams. But celebrity supporters will only get you so far; Fatburger has expanded to 300 locations since it opened in Los Angeles in 1952 because of the quality of its menu and its service. The Medium (Original) burger with the works is the one to go for.

7th Street Burger has made no secret of the fact that it wants to be the East Coast's answer to In-N-Out Burger. Its menu is similarly pared back to just burgers, fries, a cookie, and soft drinks, but this allows the restaurant to deliver one of the best double cheeseburgers you're ever likely to get from a fast food joint. This attention to quality has seen the chain grow to 20 locations in only four years.

When USA Today asked its readers which chain served the best fast food burger in America in 2024, the answer may have come as a surprise to some. According to the poll, Habit Burger & Grill's Big Char is the tastiest burger on the scene, with its double chargrilled patties, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo earning it fans throughout the East and West Coasts. It's smaller than some of the other chains on this list, with over 350 restaurants, but it's definitely one to get in the 'habit' of visiting.

Tucker's Onion Burgers didn't invent the Oklahoma onion burger, but it has popularized the patty style by bringing it to the fast food scene. The patties here are smashed onto the grill with a pile of onions to achieve the perfect crispy caramelization that gives an onion burger its signature taste and texture. The menu includes nine varieties of onion burgers (plus a couple of chicken burgers), all made with the finest ingredients. The Oklahoma-based mini-chain's cute 1950s-style décor helps to create a unique atmosphere, too.

Shake Shack is one of the most well-known and highly respected fast food chains in the US, so it's surprising that there were actually only 329 Shake Shack restaurants at the beginning of 2025. The company has announced ambitious plans to dramatically expand its portfolio to 1,500 outlets in the coming years, all while keeping an eye on what makes Shake Shack special: the quality of its burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Our go-to order? The Double ShackBurger, of course.

When famous burger expert George Motz was asked about his favorite fast food burgers, he name-checked Steak 'n Shake as having one of the top three quick-service burgers in the US. Motz called its offering 'a fantastic burger,' and fans of the historic Midwest brand will agree. The chain, with over 400 outlets in 23 states, has been slinging good, honest burgers since 1934, and its Original Double Steakburger is hard to beat.

In-N-Out Burger looms large over any conversation about the best fast food burgers in the US. Its reputation for astounding, good-value burgers is second to none – even though the chain now has over 400 restaurants, the quality of its menu shows no sign of slipping. Visitors come from far and wide to try the legendary Double-Double, with many even knowing the not-so-secret hack of ordering it Animal-Style (with mustard-fried patties, extra spread, and grilled onions).

Now discover the fast food favorites of the rich and famous

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.