There's a new champ on America's list of fast-food chain favorites. That's according to one customer satisfaction ranking. Jersey Mike's has evidently overtaken Chick-fil-A as the top choice among consumers, per the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), per Fox News. However, Jersey Mike's was not a runaway first choice. In fact, the race was a real squeaker, with the sub shop chain getting 84 points out of 100. Chick-fil-A, which was last year's victor, came in second, with 83 points out of 100.
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Jersey Mike's may have edged out its closest rival by a hair, but it was still a decisive win for the chain. Per the outlet, "The shift marks the first time in over a decade that a new chain has led the ACSI's quick-service restaurant (QSR) category."
What Made Jersey Mike's Surge to the Top?
According to a ACSI press release dated June 16, 2026, Jersey Mike's occupies the top spot because of factors like "freshness, food variety, and value." The release also noted that although the chain is rapidly expanding, the quality of its products has not suffered. In fact, sales have also gone through the roof. Jersey Mike's added 238 "new locations in 2025 and reached $4.2 billion in systemwide sales...."
Jersey Mike's is doing well in a challenging environment. Findings indicate that customers are being very choosy about where they eat out and how much they spend. When it comes to quick-service restaurants, for example. some cautious consumers are actually "trading down to convenience stores and supermarkets" instead.
The Chain Is Enlarging Its Footprint Overseas
One sign of a company's success and popularity is expansion. With over 3,200 stores in Canada and stateside, Jersey Mike's announced in January 2026 that beginning this year, it plans to open 400 locations in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In a press release, CEO Charlie Morrison said, "This marks a pivotal milestone in Jersey Mike's growth journey as we expand into the European market."
When the chain was launched in 1956, there was only one shop, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Back then, it was called Mike's Subs. Today, it's an industry giant that is finding widespread favor with consumers.
