Lisa O
From tech-driven service upgrades to surprisingly healthy menu additions, these 15 fast food chains have stepped up and are delivering better experiences than ever before. No matter if you’re a loyal fan or a curious newcomer, you’ll find something worth trying from this list of revitalized favorites.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A continues to lead the industry in customer service and operational efficiency. In 2025, the company launched its first multi-story drive-thru concept with a kitchen suspended above four high-capacity lanes. This lets them handle more orders with greater speed, especially for mobile pickup customers. They’ve also expanded breakfast offerings and improved app functionality to make mobile ordering more intuitive.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is thriving thanks to bold flavors, experimental items, and a savvy rewards app. In 2025, they introduced the Quesocrisp Taco, a crunchy shell made of baked cheese, alongside the Flamin’ Hot Burrito, a spicy crowd favorite. They’ve expanded vegetarian options and added protein-rich bowls to satisfy a health-conscious demographic without alienating die-hard fans.
Panera Bread
Panera has embraced the wellness-forward trend while staying true to its café-style roots. Their 2025 menu includes warm grain bowls, Mediterranean wraps, and protein-packed smoothies designed for customers who want quick but nutritious meals. Vegan and gluten-sensitive customers now have more thoughtful options, like dairy-free mac and cheese and almond milk-based lattes.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s has invested heavily in reinventing its menu and streamlining customer engagement in 2025. They’ve added new spicy chicken sandwiches, premium breakfast combos, and improved fry quality (again)—this time with better heat retention. Their two-for-$7 meal deals and digital coupons through the Wendy’s app have made it one of the most rewarding loyalty programs around, with over 46 million members.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack continues to punch above its weight in 2025, blending gourmet ingredients with fast-casual ease. This year, they introduced fried pickles with ranch dipping sauce—a fan-requested side that has quickly become a bestseller. They’ve also rolled out limited-time collaborations with chefs and brands to create buzzworthy burgers and shakes.
Subway
After years of mixed reviews, Subway is making a real comeback in 2025. They’ve redesigned many of their stores with modern interiors, better lighting, and updated ordering stations that reduce wait times. More importantly, their food has improved, with fresh-baked artisan-style bread, crisp veggies, and premium meats now featured in their “Subway Series.”
Popeyes
Popeyes has shown no signs of slowing down since the chicken sandwich craze. In 2025, they’ve gone bigger with additions like the Big Easy Chicken Bowl, loaded with red beans, rice, Cajun gravy, and slow-roasted chicken. They’ve also surprised fans with their pickle-themed lineup, including a Pickle Glaze Sandwich and crispy fried pickles on the side.
Domino’s
Domino’s has refined its image from budget pizza to tech-savvy leader. Their 2025 updates include a crispy cauliflower crust option and improved thin-crust pizzas that foodies actually praise. Delivery is faster and more reliable, with AI-powered tracking and GPS alerts that let customers know when their order is minutes away. Domino’s has also added sides like loaded tater tots and dessert bites, rounding out the experience.
Culver’s
Culver’s has quietly expanded into new markets while maintaining its Midwestern charm. Known for ButterBurgers and ultra-creamy frozen custard, it’s now building a national following. In 2025, they’ve improved service speed without cutting corners and added seasonal offerings like pretzel bun sandwiches and rotating custard flavors that fans line up for.
In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out remains fiercely loyal to its classic approach, and that’s what keeps it thriving. In 2025, the chain opened several new locations across California, Arizona, and Washington, and all with the same tightly controlled menu of burgers, fries, and shakes. Behind the scenes, they’ve improved kitchen equipment and employee training to keep lines moving faster, especially at drive-thrus. The company also remains committed to paying above-average wages, which shows in the quality of service.
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen has taken its salad bowl model to new heights in 2025. Their rotating seasonal menu includes miso-glazed sweet potatoes, blackened chicken, and vegan ranch—all made from scratch. They’ve also integrated a sleek AI-powered recommendation engine into the app, helping customers build meals that fit dietary needs and flavor preferences. Their eco-friendly packaging has improved, too, with compostable containers and even carbon-labeling on some dishes.
KFC
KFC is proving that heritage brands can innovate without losing their soul. In 2025, they’ve rolled out hot new bowls like the Spicy Mac & Cheese Bowl, introduced new flavor rubs on their signature chicken, and brought back fan-favorite sides. Restaurant interiors have also received a facelift, with brighter colors and easier kiosk ordering. For speed, many locations now have double drive-thru lanes, and online ordering has been improved.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box has always embraced the weird and unexpected—and in 2025, that’s paying off. They’ve added bizarre but beloved items like the Waffle Breakfast Tacos and Nashville Hot Chicken Bites, which quickly went viral. Their loyalty program gives instant rewards, and late-night delivery partnerships with apps like DoorDash have skyrocketed sales. Digital ordering screens now make customizations easier, and they’ve opened compact urban locations with walk-up windows.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza has made fast, wood-fired pizza more personal than ever. In 2025, they’ve added new crust choices like sweet potato and upgraded their vegan cheese to actually melt and stretch like the real thing. They’ve also improved in-store flow, cutting down wait times with smarter oven rotation and faster checkouts. The app now lets you customize every ingredient before you even arrive, with dietary filters for gluten-free, keto, and dairy-free diets.
Bojangles
Bojangles has gone from Southern secret to national contender in 2025. The chain expanded to new urban markets, pairing crispy chicken and buttery biscuits with sleek interiors and improved ordering tech. Their all-day breakfast now includes more variety, like pimento cheese biscuit sandwiches and sweet potato hash bowls. Kiosks and mobile ordering have slashed wait times, and the Bo Rewards app offers generous points and surprise freebies.
