The Most Heated Rivalries in Fast Food History

If you think fast food rivalries are just about burgers, you’re missing most of the fun. Chains battle over everything from chicken sandwiches to pizza crusts, sauces, and regional favorites. Some go head-to-head in TV ads, others fight for drive-thru speed or bragging rights on social media. Here are 15 rivalries that keep the American fast food world interesting—and sometimes a little weird.

McDonald’s vs. Burger King

Since the 1950s, these two giants have been locked in a battle of burgers. Burger King debuted the Whopper in 1957, which prompted McDonald’s to answer with the Big Mac ten years later. Their decades-long ad wars included jabs, counter-slogans, and even poached executives. Despite everything, McDonald’s remains the global champ with over 40,000 locations worldwide.

Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A

Popeyes introduced its chicken sandwich in 2019. This ignited the now-famous “chicken sandwich wars.” The item sold out in two weeks and boosted Popeyes' sales by 38%. Chick-fil-A, long known for its loyal base and Sunday closings, maintained its grip on market share. But the internet-driven frenzy helped Popeyes gain serious ground and forced nearly every competitor to add a chicken sandwich to their menu.

Pizza Hut vs. Domino’s

Pizza Hut was once the big name in delivery, known for stuffed crust and giant pizzas that filled up entire tables. Then Domino’s tossed out its old recipe, bet big on online orders, and took the lead in sales by 2017. Pizza Hut stuck with family-friendly dining rooms; Domino’s doubled down on speed and apps, but their fight isn’t ending anytime soon.

Dunkin’ vs. Krispy Kreme

Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme have always played to different crowds. Walk into a Krispy Kreme when the “Hot Now” light is on, and people line up for fresh, sugary rings. Dunkin’ takes a different route, pouring more coffee than anyone else and serving up everything from donuts to bagels and breakfast sandwiches. Dunkin’ covers the globe with thousands of shops; Krispy Kreme relies on a smaller shop count but shows up everywhere from grocery stores to gas stations.

Zaxby’s vs. Bojangles

One leans into sauces and chicken fingers, while the other rides high on fried chicken and biscuits. Zaxby’s and Bojangles are Southern staples with similar menus but different identities. Founded 13 years apart and just a few hours away, their growth paths mirror each other.

Chipotle vs. Moe’s Southwest Grill

Walk into Chipotle and you’ll find a no-frills setup: stainless steel counters, straight-line service, and a focus on what’s inside the tortilla. Moe’s is the opposite: it is colorful, noisy, and always handing out free chips and salsa. Even though Moe’s showed up later, it once topped Chipotle in a customer poll, but Chipotle won back the crown a few years later.

KFC vs. Popeyes

Both specialize in fried chicken, but their flavors come from different corners of the South. KFC sticks to its “11 herbs and spices” secret blend, while Popeyes goes bold with Cajun seasoning and crispy batter. KFC holds the edge in size with over 27,000 global locations. Popeyes, though smaller, makes noise online and continues to grow steadily, including recent moves into the U.K. market.

Whataburger vs. In-N-Out Burger

You’ll hear the loudest burger debates in places like Texas or Arizona, where both Whataburger and In-N-Out have territory. Whataburger regulars love to tweak their orders—extra jalapeños, toasted buns, whatever you want. In-N-Out fans will line up around the block just for a simple Double-Double, and the off-menu “Animal Style” has its own following.

Subway vs. Jimmy John’s

Subway built its brand on endless sandwich choices and popping up in every strip mall. Jimmy John’s, instead, races to get you your lunch faster than anyone else and keeps the menu tight and predictable. Subway still has more shops, but as they close stores in the U.S., Jimmy John’s sticks with the “freaky fast” promise and keeps its base coming back.

Taco Bell vs. Del Taco

This one started in the same kitchen. Taco Bell founder Glen Bell once employed Ed Hackbarth, who went on to launch Del Taco. While Taco Bell exploded to over 7,000 U.S. locations, Del Taco hovers around 600, mostly in the West. In 2022, Jack in the Box acquired Del Taco and gave it fresh momentum to challenge its former mentor’s national dominance in fast-Mex fare.

Dairy Queen vs. Carvel

These brands both claim to have invented soft-serve, but Carvel's 1936 patent came first. Dairy Queen, however, expanded faster and further, with over 4,300 U.S. locations and a broader menu through its “Grill and Chill” concept. Carvel still holds nostalgia points and ice cream cake fame, especially with mascot Fudgie the Whale, but DQ’s scale and seasonal Blizzards keep it a dessert powerhouse.

White Castle vs. Krystal

White Castle’s the place for a sack of steamed sliders if you’re in the Midwest or Northeast. Krystal’s got a similar mini-burger, but you’ll find it mostly in the South, and theirs hits the griddle. Krystal tried to go big and stumbled; White Castle never tried to be everywhere, and that’s worked for them. Both have fans who wouldn’t swap one for the other.

McDonald’s vs. Jollibee

This David-vs.-Goliath tale plays out in the Philippines. Jollibee, founded in 1978, outperformed McDonald’s by tailoring its menu: sweet-style spaghetti and Filipino-seasoned chicken. When McDonald’s entered the market in 1981, it faced a homegrown chain that already understood local tastes. Jollibee’s success helped it grow internationally, buying up foreign brands and proving that familiarity, not flash, often wins local battles.

Subway vs. Blimpie

They were once fierce competitors, but Blimpie actually launched a year before Subway. However, internal disagreements and slow expansion hampered its rise. Subway’s early goal-setting and franchising helped it scale quickly. In the 1990s, Blimpie saw a surge with mall food court spots, reaching over 2,000 locations. Today, it has fewer than 150 U.S. stores, while Subway still leads the submarine sandwich market by a wide margin.

Arby’s vs. Roy Rogers

There was a time when the big roast beef sandwich fight was Arby’s versus Roy Rogers. Arby’s kept adding oddball menu items and catchy ads. Roy Rogers stuck with its Western theme and let customers pile their own toppings at the Fixin’s Bar. Roy Rogers is a rare find now—mostly on East Coast highways—but it still has a cult following, while Arby’s keeps churning out new ideas and stays on the national radar.