# How many nation-wide restaurant chains are there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226 "2008-01-20T03:43:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/1 "2008-01-20T03:43:07Z")
I’ll define “nation-wide” as being a chain that has at least one restaurant in all fifty states. But I’d be willing to accept an argument for those that come very close. I’m guessing Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and the Yum! group (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell). Probably Arbys, Dairy Queen, and Subway. Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks if they count as restaurants. Getting out of fast food there’s Applebees, Chilis, Dennys, Olive Garden, Ponderosa, Red Lobster. I’ve probably guessed wrong on some of these so feel free to tell me if you’re saying _“Arbys? What the heck is an Arbys? We don’t have that around here.”_ And let me know if there’s any I’m missing. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/2 "2008-01-20T04:37:00Z")
Wiki, where else, has a long list of [U.S. restaurant chains](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_restaurant_chains#United_States). You’d have to go through and click on each link to see which ones meet your criterion, but I’m pretty sure there are far more there than you listed. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/3 "2008-01-20T09:44:20Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] I’m guessing Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and the Yum! group (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell). Probably Arbys, Dairy Queen, and Subway. Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks if they count as restaurants. Getting out of fast food there’s Applebees, Chilis, Dennys, Olive Garden, Ponderosa, Red Lobster. [/QUOTE] As far as I know there’s no Red Lobster in Maine. There was one years ago but it closed down. Jay Leno says that’s because Mainers know what seafood is supposed to taste like, and I can’t disagree. Dunkin Donuts is found in only 34 states, according to [https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/company/](https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/company/) ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/4 "2008-01-20T15:01:34Z")
There is no Denny’s in Wyoming but it is in 49 other states. Applebees site says that it too is in 49 states I can’t figure which one is missing but if that 49 states still is close enough to meet your requirement, [IHOP](http://ihop.know-where.com/ihop/) is in every state but Vermont (you can get your International Passport at several sites close to its borders though). IHOP took over Applebees recently. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/5 "2008-01-20T15:21:56Z")
If Denny’s, Applebees, and IHOP are only in 49 each, then I’ll bet that quite a few others will also fail the all-50 test. It will be quite interesting to see how few actually make it. I’ll be watching this thread with an interested eye. Carry on, folks… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/6 "2008-01-20T15:31:42Z")
I think 50 states is gonna be a tough standard to meet. Per [List of U.S. states and territories by population - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population) Alaska & Hawaii together only represent 2/3rds of 1% of the population. And they have significant logistical challenges compared to the other 48 states. So I’m gonna bet that there are a lot of “nationwide” chains that stop at 48. Certainly there are a lot of reasons for a chain to stop with even fewer states covered. For example you only need 25 states to cover 80% of the population. It only takes 10 states to cover 50% of the population. But the marginal difficulty per marginal target market takes a BIG jump when you try to spread your empire into AK or HI. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/7 "2008-01-20T20:30:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Wiki, where else, has a long list of U.S. restaurant chains. > > You’d have to go through and click on each link to see which ones meet your criterion, but I’m pretty sure there are far more there than you listed. That’s where I got started. The problem is that most of these articles don’t contain the information about what states the chains are in. The official websites are the same way - they usually have a “locate the nearest restaurant” feature but rarely a nation-wide listing. The work in researching each individual restaurant chain one state at a time would be a bit much. So I figured I’d post it here and let the collective knowledge of the board work on it. People here are spread out all of the country and know what chains they have locally. So let’s work on it systematically. Here’s a list of candidates: Applebees: Close, but missing one unidentified state Arbys Burger King Chilis Dairy Queen Dennys: Close, but not in Wyoming Dunkin Donuts: No, only in 34 states International House of Pancakes: Close, but not in Vermont KFC McDonald’s Olive Garden Pizza Hut Ponderosa Red Lobster: Close, but not in Maine Starbucks Subway Taco Bell Wendy’s Add in any information about missing states or new chains that should be considered. We’d espeically like information from people in Alaska, Hawaii, or other low population states about what chains they have. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/8 "2008-01-20T20:44:01Z")
Using Google, I’ve confirmed that Alaska does have Applebees, Arbys, Burger King, Chilis, Dairy Queen, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendys. And Hawaii has Arbys, Burger King, Chilis, Dairy Queen, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s. (It appears Hawaii may be the state that doesn’t have an Applebee’s.) ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/9 "2008-01-20T20:47:29Z")
You might also want to consider situations like Carl’s Jr. / Hardee’s which are essentially the same chain with different names in different areas. That said, that one is still a “close, but no cigar” - they don’t have locations in New England, according to the CKE website. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/10 "2008-01-20T21:44:34Z")
According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population) Hawaii ranks 42nd in population, and even Alaska is at #47.; Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota have populations even smaller than Alaska. According to [the restaurant locator at the McDonalds website](http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/rest_locator.html), they are at Riverton and Thermopolis in Wyoming. And at least 4 places in Vermont, and 3 in North Dakota. Nine in Anchorage alone, not counting the rest of Alaska. Whew! This IS a lot of work!!! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/11 "2008-01-20T22:50:32Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] So let’s work on it systematically. Here’s a list of candidates: Applebees: Close, but missing one unidentified state \*added by samclem–Hawaii Arbys Burger King Chilis Dairy Queen Dennys: Close, but not in Wyoming Dunkin Donuts: No, only in 34 states International House of Pancakes: Close, but not in Vermont KFC McDonald’s Olive Garden Pizza Hut Ponderosa Red Lobster: Close, but not in Maine Starbucks Subway Taco Bell Wendy’s Add in any information about missing states or new chains that should be considered. We’d espeically like information from people in Alaska, Hawaii, or other low population states about what chains they have. [/QUOTE] added info about Applebee’s ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/12 "2008-01-20T23:51:10Z")
Using the store locator on the Ponderosa website, there are no restaurants in many states, including Wyoming, Washington, Utah and Texas. So it’s definitely not nationwide. ---
**Author:** ![SharkB8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@SharkB8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SharkB8)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/13 "2008-01-21T00:04:31Z")
[QUOTE=bibliophage] As far as I know there’s no Red Lobster in Maine. There was one years ago but it closed down. Jay Leno says that’s because Mainers know what seafood is supposed to taste like, and I can’t disagree. Dunkin Donuts is found in only 34 states, according to [https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/company/](https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/company/) [/QUOTE] Same with RI. There used to be a Red Lobster here too, but it was closed a few years ago. The closest one is in out near Hartford, Connecticut I think. Also not certain, but I don’t think there are any in Massachusetts anymore either. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/14 "2008-01-21T00:06:26Z")
It appears from their locator website that [Outback Steakhouse](http://www.outback.com/locations/) has locations in all 50 states. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/15 "2008-01-21T00:25:08Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Dennys: Close, but not in Wyoming [/QUOTE] Isn’t there one in Casper? Maybe there used to be - can’t tell by googling. Anyway, I don’t think Ponderosa is nationwide. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/16 "2008-01-21T00:31:49Z")
How about A&W? ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/17 "2008-01-21T03:24:20Z")
[QUOTE=yabob] How about A&W? [/QUOTE] According to their locator, there’s none in Louisiana. not to mention Alaska or Hawaii. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/18 "2008-01-21T04:02:57Z")
I just popped in to say this thread helped me find out there’s a Bennigans in Dublin. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/19 "2008-01-21T06:17:31Z")
**Quiznos** has locations in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and D.C… ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226/20 "2008-01-21T06:33:35Z")
This is fun. **Little Caesar’s** has locations in all 50 states. [cite](http://www.answers.com/topic/fast-food-pasta-express-4?cat=biz-fin) **Krispy Kreme** has locations in only 41 states ([cite](http://www.junkfoodnews.net/)), but recently put out a press release saying they intend to expand to all 50. **Hardee’s/Karl’s Jr.** has locations in only 43 states. [cite](http://www.junkfoodnews.net/) **Cracker Barrel** has locations in only 41 states. [cite](http://www.nationalguardiansecurity.com/ourclients.html) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-nation-wide-restaurant-chains-are-there/434226.md?page=2)