No surprise. Georgia-based fast-food chain named the best in the South by Southern Living.

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Chick-fil-A, Georgia’s own beloved fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches and its cow mascot, has been named one of the best southern fast food chains in 2025 by Southern Living.

“This list couldn’t start with any place other than the ubiquitous Southern staple Chick-fil-A,” Southern Living wrote. “Whether it’s a classic 1 chicken sandwich combo, nuggets, or even a grilled chicken wrap, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Southerner without a particular penchant for the king of all fast-food fried chicken spots.”

Who founded Chick-fil-A?

The trio behind Chick-Fil-A is the Cathy family and siblings are Bubba, Dan, and Trudy. The first location opened in 1967 at Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall.

The chain has more than 2,800 restaurants across the U.S. and in Canada and Puerto Rico.

Best southern fast-food chains of 2025

According to Southern Living, here are the best dozen:

• Chick-fil-A
• Whataburger
• Chicken Salad Chick
• Bojangles
• Milo’s Hamburgers
• Cook Out
• Raising Cane’s
• Popeye’s
• Church’s Texas Chicken
• Krystal
• Jack’s
• Biscuitville

Why isn’t Chick-Fil-A open on Sunday’s?

This Sunday tradition, started by founder Truett Cathy, is for the employees. This is time for employees to rest, spend time with family, or worship.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at [email protected]m.