Readers' Choice Awards Best National Burger Chain of 2026

The American burger has never been in better hands. From smash-technique patties to California-style charbroil to buttered Wisconsin buns, the chains around the nation have been finding ways to make a classic their own. But which is the best, you may ask? That's where you and our experts come in.

Our Readers' Choice Awards panel sifted through over a dozen nominees, and an overwhelming number of readers weighed in with their opinions.

These are the 10 national burger chains our readers chose as the best in 2026.

Winner: A&W Restaurants

One of the oldest burger chains in the country, A&W Restaurants has been part of the American dining landscape since 1919, and its burgers carry that history without leaning too heavily on it. The chain is famous for inventing the Bacon Cheeseburger, and its long-standing root beer flavor creates a distinctly classic experience. Operating as a franchise across hundreds of domestic and international locations, the brand offers a menu ranging from a basic burger to a Bacon Double Cheeseburger, in a format that still holds up today. Longevity this pronounced is its own credential in a category that tends to reward what's new.

Memories ran as deep as the root beer in A&W's responses. "I love the nostalgia of A&W and I believe A&W holds on to and incorporates that nostalgia into even the newest restaurant," reads one comment. The floats were a constant refrain: "Burger, Fries, and a Root Beer Float cannot be beat!" The cheese curds generated their own following—"Classic burgers, chicken, floats, shakes, freezes, and don't get me started about the A&Wesome cheese curds!!!"—while the Papa Burger was mentioned by name. These submissions felt like a love letter, so it’s no surprise A&W received first place.

Runner Up: Smashburger

The smash technique—pressing a ball of beef onto a screaming-hot griddle to create a seared, caramelized crust—produces a specific kind of burger with its own devoted following, and Smashburger has been refining it since launching in Denver in 2007. The thin, layered patty with its crispy, lacy edges and concentrated beef flavor is what makes the format recognizable and worth seeking out. Chicken sandwiches and a thoughtful range of toppings and sauces let regulars build a consistent go-to order. What started as a regional Colorado concept now operates across multiple states with the same griddle-forward approach intact.

Certified Angus Beef was the phrase that appeared most often in Smashburger's comments, and voters treated it as a differentiator worth shouting out. "The food is made fresh and everything is crisp and sensational," wrote one person. "The smash sauce is so unique and amplifies the burger taste. I have never had a bad burger here." Another went into specifics: "Their beef is high-quality, and the caramelized, crispy edges elevate them above the pack. Unlike most burger joints at this price point, you can get some interesting toppings on the burger—fried egg, brisket." The Smashfries—rolled in rosemary, garlic, and olive oil—also came up repeatedly alongside the Colorado Burger.

3. Five Guys

The premise at Five Guys is deceptively simple: fresh, never-frozen beef, cooked to order, topped with whatever you want from a generous list of free add-ons. The result is a customizable, reliably satisfying cheeseburger that holds up stop after stop, and the consistency at scale is the real achievement. Hand-cut fries, available Cajun-spiced or plain, and hot dogs round out a tight menu that has remained largely unchanged since the chain opened in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986. The no-frills format is intentional; the quality of the ingredients does the work, and not much else is required.

The fries competed with the burgers for attention in Five Guys' submissions, favoring both the Cajun option and the peanut oil they’re cooked in. One fan writes, "Not only is the burger fresh and topped with my favorite cheese and condiments, but the french fries are really really good—the one item that draws me back again and again is the peanut butter shake". Others hit the customization angle: "Fresh French fries and the variety of choices on your burger." The price came up more than once, with one voter admitting "expensive, but tasty."

4. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

More of a full-service sit-down restaurant than a counter-service concept, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers occupies a different lane than most entries in this category. A wide roster of gourmet burger creations, stacked with premium toppings and specialty sauces, gives diners more combinations to explore than most burger chains attempt. The Bottomless Yukon Chips—thick-cut, wavy potato slices seasoned with the chain's signature spice blend—are a side dish that earns its own conversation among regulars. Bottomless steak fries and a broad beverage menu make it a strong option for groups with varying tastes.

The bottomless sides were the rallying cry of Red Robin's fan base: "Gourmet Burgers, never frozen, great buns and bottomless sides…Yummm.” One voter offered a memorable declaration of loyalty: "My sweet sweet Red Robin, you are a national treasure and I will love you with my heart entire for the remainder of my days."

5. BurgerFi

Quality and environmental accountability go hand in hand at BurgerFi. The Florida-founded chain sources Angus beef raised without antibiotics or added hormones, and the sustainability commitments extend to packaging and restaurant design. The eco-conscious focus doesn't come at the expense of the burger itself, as the double Angus cheeseburger delivers clean, concentrated beef flavor that lets the sourcing speak for itself. Craft hot dogs, veggie options, and hand-spun custard shakes round out a menu that covers more ground than the basics.

The hormone-free, antibiotic-free sourcing was the single most repeated compliment across BurgerFi's voter base. "Meat is top quality. Never ever treated with antibiotics, steroids or growth hormones" was representative of a theme that ran through the comments consistently. Individual menu items also drew fans: "BurgerFi is the best! My favorite item is the CEO Wagyu Burger YUUUUUM!!!" and "CEO Burger with Truffle Aioli and Bacon Tomato Jam" pointed to the elevated end of the menu.

6. Culver's

Wisconsin-born and Midwest-beloved, Culver's has expanded steadily into other regions without losing the qualities that built its following at home. The ButterBurger—a beef patty served on a lightly buttered, toasted bun—is the anchor of the menu and a longtime favorite for good reason: it's a simple, well-executed burger with a richness that lingers. The frozen custard is equally serious, made fresh throughout the day and available in rotating daily flavors.

Reader submissions confirmed the above draws. "Love the butter burgers and cheese curds" appeared more than once, while "Buttery bun. Fresh bacon. The best." showed the love for its essentials. The longevity angle spoke to voters who have followed the chain since its early days: "They are the same since day one in Wisconsin plus custard—I mean, come on." Others pointed to the breadth of the menu: "Burgers, fish, and frozen custard!"

7. In-N-Out Burger

Few chains inspire the loyalty In-N-Out Burger does, and the menu has barely changed since the chain opened in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948. Fresh, never-frozen beef, buns delivered from the chain's own bakeries, and a short, focused lineup built around doing a few things extremely well are the pillars of the concept. The secret menu—Animal Style, protein style, and other off-menu combinations—has become a rite of passage for newcomers. The milkshakes and the Double-Double are perennial favorites. Operating in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Colorado, and Oregon, In-N-Out remains the West Coast's defining burger institution, and one that has resisted the urge to compromise for the sake of scale.

In-N-Out's respondents were characteristically concise, as befits fans of a chain that keeps things straightforward. "Simple but so tasty" captured the appeal in four words. "Always fresh, hot and delicious. Fries in good quantities and never soggy" added specifics. One superfan nodded to the secret menu element: "Burgers are always great and you can customize if you know how; employees are always friendly and helpful."

8. Shake Shack

What started as a hot dog cart in New York City's Madison Square Park in 2001 has expanded into one of the more recognized burger brands in the country. Shake Shack uses hormone-free, antibiotic-free Angus beef, and the outcome is a burger with savory flavor, even without extra toppings. The shakes, custom-blended and available in rotating seasonal flavors, are a favorite in their own right, and a rotating specialty burger menu keeps things interesting for regulars. Crinkle-cut fries complete a format that now reaches just about every state, well beyond its New York roots.

Shake Shack's voters led with the full experience rather than a single item: "I love that Shake Shack's hospitality is a cut above the rest. Also their burgers are fire." The limited-time menu drew specific attention: "Love their Black Truffle menu—bring it back!"

9. Whataburger

A Texas institution since 1950, Whataburger was built around a burger large enough to require two hands, and that philosophy hasn't changed as the chain has grown to 17 states. Everything is assembled to order, never premade or frozen, and the oversized toasted bun is as much a part of the experience as the patty. The burger reads as a meal, not a snack, and the Texas-sized scale is very much the point. The menu also extends to fried chicken with gravy for anyone looking for something different.

Whataburger's responses were concise and loyal, with comments that focused on the experience rather than on specific menu items. "The taste and quality" and "Good Texas burgers" were representative of a fan base that doesn't feel the need to oversell. The Double Whataburger came up by name as a specific reason to stop by.

10. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Two things are in the name at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and both deliver mouthwatering treats. The steakburgers are thin and flat, with lacy, crispy edges that come from cooking on a well-seasoned flat-top, a style that evokes the classic American drive-in the chain deliberately references. The shoestring fries are also a hit, just as discussed among regulars as the burgers themselves. The frozen custard—rich, dense, and made fresh throughout the day—rounds out the experience with an indulgence that keeps the dessert menu as relevant as the food. Founded in Wichita, Kansas in 2002, Freddy's has expanded to hundreds of locations nationwide while keeping its retro format and quality intact.

Freddy's commenters cited the cooked-to-order model and the overall hospitality as why they love it. "The service, hospitality and steakburgers!" and "It's cooked-to-order burgers and great hospitality" are two quotes that point to experiences that go past the food.

Our Experts

Susan Lanier-Graham

Lanier-Graham is an award-winning food, wine, and travel writer with more than three decades of experience exploring destinations around the world. She has visited luxury resorts, boutique properties, and hidden gems across six continents, bringing a discerning eye to every stay. As publisher of Wander With Wonder, she leads an award-winning digital publication that inspires readers to discover exceptional travel experiences. Her work blends firsthand insight with a passion for storytelling, offering trusted recommendations on where to stay, dine, and explore. Susan’s expertise helps travelers confidently choose destinations that transform trips into unforgettable, experience-rich journeys.

Penny Sadler

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer residing in the Lone Star State. Her glass is always full, preferably of something white and bubbly. She writes for Timeout, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Matador Network, Inside Hook, Cheese Professor, and other outlets. Read more from Penny on her website, Adventures of a Carryon.

Nancy Monson

Monson is a writer, artist, and teacher who frequently writes about travel, wellness, spas, and creativity. Her articles have been published in over 30 national magazines and websites, including AARP, Glamour, Saturdayeveningpost.com, USA Today, Woman’s Day, and Women’s Health. She is also the author of "Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes," which explores how creative hobbies improve mental health. Connect with her at @NancyMonson and see her work at Nancy Monson Art.

Reviewed Editors & Experts

Reviewed editors and experts have hard-earned insight from a broad range of backgrounds, and our nomination panel includes independent researchers, subject matter experts, and editorial team members. We provide unbiased, experiential editorial coverage on products, brands, and companies across the U.S.