These were Gen Z’s favorite restaurant chains in 2024

Younger demographics favor nostalgic dessert brands In poring over Technomic’s 2025 America’s Favorite Chains data, one thing became abundantly clear: younger consumers love a nostalgic dessert restaurant brand. The report not only features America’s favorite restaurants overall, but breaks the data down by generation for Gen Z and millennials (those with the most spending power at the moment). Want to dig deeper into America’s Favorite Chains? Follow the below links. Why steaks, snacks, and sandwiches dominate America’s Favorite Chains America’s Favorite Chains: The 10 most beloved restaurants America’s favorite restaurant chains for chicken, beverages, pizza, and more These were millennials’ favorite restaurant chains in 2024 Gen Z, defined as those born from roughly 1997-2012, also favors authenticity in the companies it supports. “A Gen Z can smell a fake brand from a mile away,” said Robert Byrne, director of consumer and industry insights at Technomic. “Don’t try too hard.” Last year, the generation broadly favored beverage chains. Gen Z’s favorite limited-service brand lines up with America’s favorite chain overall. On the full-service side, like many other Americans, Gen Z loves a steakhouse. Click through the above gallery to meet Gen Z’s favorite limited-service and full-service restaurant chains. Each has an overall score presented as a percentage, representing a composite top-box rating, which indicates the share of recent guests who gave the brand the highest possible overall score. Technomic’s America’s Favorite Chains is produced using data from Technomic Ignite Consumer. For more information and detailed data from Technomic, please visit technomic.com/ignite-consumer. America's Favorte Chains full service.png Type Image Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Image Alt Text: America's Favorte Chains full service.pngPublished:  Fogo-de-Chao_1.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: Fogo-de-Chao.pngGallery Slide Headline: Fogo de Chão, 57.6%Published:  Ruth's-Chris-Steak-House_0.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: Ruth's-Chris-Steak-House.pngGallery Slide Headline: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 57.4%Published:  Bahama-Breeze_0.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: Bahama-Breeze.pngGallery Slide Headline: Bahama Breeze Island Grille, 55.7%Published:  Texas-Roadhouse_0.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: Texas-Roadhouse.pngGallery Slide Headline: Texas Roadhouse, 54.7%Published:  First-Watch_0.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: First-Watch.pngGallery Slide Headline: First Watch, 54.3%Published:  Twin_Peaks_1.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: Twin_Peaks.pngGallery Slide Headline: Twin Peaks, 54.1%Published:  On-the-Border.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataTable subpages Media Image Gallery Slide description: Image Alt Text: On-the-Border.pngGallery Slide Headline: On The Border, 54.1%Published:  Yard-House.png Type Image Caption Credits Gating level anonymous user DataT