Buzz

These brands are lauded for ingredient freshness.

When it comes to burger chains, the difference between regional and national brands can be difficult to define. While favorites like In-N-Out and Culvers, have only a fraction of, say, McDonald’s domestic store count they still rank among the top 14 largest burger chains by sales. As countless regional brands have proven over the years, “regionality” is by no means a barrier to financial success and popularity with customers. Also, these smaller, regional chains can end up serving higher quality food with access to locally sourced ingredients.

In fact, of the top 14 burger chains by sales in 2021, nearly half were chains operating fewer than a thousand stores (several of which grossed more than a billion in sales). With such a crowded market, it’s worthwhile taking stock of which regional chains are mostly highly rated by customers and taking a peek at where they source their ingredients. Here’s a look at six smaller-scale burger chains serving the highest quality food.