The Datassential 500 blends proprietary data, predictive analytics, and real consumer sentiment to spotlight not only America's largest and most beloved brands, but also the emerging innovators making waves across the chain restaurant landscape.
(Image Source)
GLOAmerica’s Favorite and Fastest-Growing Chain, Most Unique Restaurant Menu, People’s Choice Award and More Take Center Stage as AI and Consumer Insights Reshape Industry
Datassential, the leading food and beverage intelligence platform, today announced the winners of the Datassential 500 Awards, a first-of-its-kind recognition program spotlighting the most dynamic brands shaping the future of foodservice.
The Datassential 500 blends proprietary data, predictive analytics, and real consumer sentiment to spotlight not only America’s largest and most beloved brands, but also the emerging innovators making waves across the chain restaurant landscape.
This program comes on the heels of the company’s most recent launch of Datassential One, which enables consolidated access to the industry’s most accurate AI-driven food & beverage insights and intelligence platform. Since launching Datassential One, the company has already added Social Listening data and a new Generative AI search feature in its vast food and beverage insights and intelligence library, the latest in a long legacy of AI innovation.
“The foodservice landscape is evolving faster than ever, and we’re proud to recognize the brands rising to meet that moment,” said Jim Emling, CEO of Datassential. “From flavor innovation to operational excellence, the Datassential 500 showcases the brands that are leading with creativity, consistency, and connection to their customers.”
Here are the 2025 Datassential 500 Award Winners:
America’s Favorite Chain: Chick-fil-A
The chain has the strongest consumer ratings across all major metrics, from food quality to value and experience.
America’s Fastest Growing Chain: Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & WIngs
The chain saw the most significant unit percentage growth in 2024.
America’s Most Craved Chain: In-N-Out
The chain that earns top marks for craveable, consistently great-tasting food.
America’s Most Unique Restaurant Menu: Crumbl
The chain rated by consumers as having the most original and innovative menu offerings.
The People’s Choice Award: Portillo’s
The chain with the highest number of devoted customers who consistently choose this brand out of loyalty and dedication, not just for convenience.
America’s Best Restaurant Experience: Texas Roadhouse
The chain that earns top ratings for great service, ambiance, and guest experience.
America’s Value Leader: Little Caesars
The chain that earns top ratings or affordability and value-for-money perception.
America’s Restaurant Innovation Leader: Outback
The chain with the strongest-performing limited-time offers and menu releases across metrics like purchase intent, uniqueness, draw and value.
America’s Best To-Go Chain: Wingstop
The chain that excels in off-premise experience, from order to doorstep.
America’s Best Burger Chain: Shake Shack
The burger brand with the strongest growth, alongside strong consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America’s Best Chicken Chain: Raising Cane’s
The chicken brand with the strongest growth, alongside stellar consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America’s Best Coffee Chain: Dutch Bros
The coffee brand with the strongest growth, alongside high consumer ratings for taste and satisfaction.
America’s Best in Beverage: HTeaO
The beverage-focused concept with the strongest growth and most unique, exciting drinks.
America’s Best Healthy Chain: CAVA
The chain that ranks high when consumers crave healthy, better-for-you, or plant-forward dining.
America’s Global Flavor Favorite: KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
The chain that ranks high when consumers crave international or globally-focused cuisines.
These awards reflect the full spectrum of modern foodservice leadership, from bold culinary expression to value and hospitality.
Backed by over two decades of food and beverage intelligence, Datassential has been the trusted source for trend forecasting, menu analysis, sales intelligence, and innovation insights across the industry. From helping global QSR giants shape future strategy to identifying the next breakout concept, Datassential’s rankings and data sets are deeply embedded in decision-making across thousands of brands. The Datassential 500 represents the next evolution and a definitive snapshot of today’s foodservice landscape, powered by AI and human storytelling.
Winners were determined using a combination of Datassential’s core proprietary tools, chain performance data, and expert and AI-supported analytics.
“This elite, exclusive group of brands truly exemplify what restaurants do best: inspiring, engaging and delighting customers,” said Dana Konwiser, President and Chief Operating Officer of Datassential. “These brands set the standard for excellence and innovation, giving us a glimpse into the future of food — one that’s powered by insightful data, driven by genuine consumer connections, and increasingly shaped by the dynamic influence of AI.”
About Datassential
Datassential is the food and beverage industry’s trusted insights and intelligence partner, helping brands make smarter decisions since 2001. With the launch of Datassential One, the company unified its most powerful tools – from menu trends and consumer insights to sales intelligence and social listening – into a single platform. Over 90% of the biggest names in foodservice, including Starbucks, General Mills, Land O’ Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target, rely on Datassential to stay ahead of what’s next.
SOURCE Datassential
Disclaimer: Press release
© Press Release 2025
Send us your press releases to news@globalloyalty.org
Press releases originate from external third-party providers. This website does not have responsibility or control over its content, which is presented as is, without any alterations. Neither this website nor its affiliates guarantee the accuracy of the views or opinions expressed in the press release.
The press release is intended solely for informational purposes and does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice, nor does it express any opinion regarding the suitability, value, or profitability of specific securities, portfolios, or investment strategies. Neither this website nor its affiliates are liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, nor for any actions taken based on it. By using the information provided in this article, you agree to do so at your own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers, and licensors shall not be liable to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to lost profits, savings, and revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract, or any other theory of liability, even if the possibility of such damages was known or foreseeable.
The images used in press releases and articles provided by 3rd party sources belong to the respective source provider and are used for illustrative purposes in accordance with the original press releases and publications.
Disclaimer: Content
While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date content, Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the correctness accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or reliability of the information or the results derived from its use, not that the content will meet your requirements or expectations. The content is provided “as is” and “as available”. You agree that your use of the content is at your own risk. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. disclaims all warranties related to the content, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for any interruptions. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so these jurisdictions may not apply to you. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. Reserves the right to modify, interrupt, or discontinue the content without notice and is not liable for doing so.
Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. shall not be liable for any damages, including special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, revenue, or use, arising out of or related to the content, whether in contract, negligence, tort, statute, equity, law, or otherwise, even if advised of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on liability for incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to you. These disclaimers and limitations apply to Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and its parent, affiliates, related companies, contractors, sponsors, and their respective directors, officers, members, employees, agents, content providers, licensors, and advisors.
The content and its compilation, created by Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd, are the property of Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission.
