Top Fry-tastic Brands for French Fry Fanatics ?

French fries are a beloved staple in menus worldwide, and finding the perfect brand can elevate any dining experience. With a plethora of options available, some brands consistently stand out due to their quality, taste, and innovative approaches to this classic snack. From crispy textures to unique seasonings, these brands have mastered the art of creating the perfect fry that satisfies our cravings. Below, we explore some of the best brands that have earned their spot at the top of the french fry pedestal.

Illustration of french fries

Best brands of french fries in 2025

McDonald's

McDonald's is renowned as one of the best producers of french fries, with half of consumers in a CivicScience poll choosing their fries as their favorite, making them the "runaway winner" among fast food chains. Their fries are made from high-quality potatoes, strictly selected for size, shape, varietal, color, and storability, and are cooked using a well-defined process to ensure consistency. McDonald's fries have been a staple on their menu since 1955 and are known for their crispy exterior and soft interior, thanks to the use of specific potato varieties like Russet Burbank and Russet Ranger. They are also noted for having lower calories and bad fats compared to other fast food chains, with a small serving containing 230 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat. The unique flavor is enhanced by a beef flavoring in the frying oil, a key factor in their popularity. For more insights, read about the seven things you didn’t know about McDonald's fries.

Five Guys

Five Guys is renowned for its high-quality French fries, with the company purchasing 140 million pounds of potatoes from Idaho each year, accounting for more than 5% of the state's entire potato output. The fries are hand-cut, soaked in water to remove starch, and fried in pure peanut oil to avoid trans fats and preservatives. This meticulous process ensures a tender and flavorful product, even though the large serving size contributes to higher calorie counts. Despite some complaints about the generous portion size, Five Guys prides itself on providing customers with their money's worth, as evidenced by their over 1,300 locations worldwide. The brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned it a loyal customer base.

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger, while renowned for its burgers, also stands out for its high-quality French fries, which are made from 100% pure potato and cooked in 100% sunflower oil. Known for their simplicity and freshness, In-N-Out's fries are a favorite among customers, with the chain selling over 25 million pounds of fries annually. Since its founding in 1948, In-N-Out has maintained a commitment to using only the finest ingredients. The fries are cooked to a perfect crisp, enhancing their natural flavor. With a loyal customer base, In-N-Out's French fries contribute significantly to the brand's success.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack is renowned for its exceptional French fries, which have garnered high praise in various taste tests. Their crinkle-cut fries are particularly noted for their crispiness and ability to retain flavor even when cold, a feature that sets them apart from other fast-food chains. In one taste test, Shake Shack's fries were crowned the winner due to their perfect balance of crunch and flavor, with the fries remaining crispy and tasty even after sitting out for a while. The company's strong sales performance, including a 20.8% year-on-year growth in same-Shack sales in the fourth quarter of 2021, underscores the popularity of their menu items, including their fries. Shake Shack's commitment to quality and consistency has helped it maintain a loyal customer base. For more information, explore the Shake Shack website.

Wendy's

Wendy's is renowned for its high-quality French fries, particularly its Natural Cut and Hot & Crispy varieties, which have outperformed competitors in taste tests. According to Wendy's research, 56% of participants in a national taste test preferred their skin-on fries over McDonald's, with a significant increase in fry orders by almost 10% across their 6,600 stores. These fries are made from 100% Russet potatoes and feature a crispy texture with a perfect balance of salt. Despite using some processing chemicals, the fries boast a higher fiber content and a distinctive flavor profile. Wendy's continuous improvement in fry quality has been a key factor in their success. For more details on the taste test comparison, visit Wendy's new fries vs. McDonald's taste test review.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A stands out as one of the best producers of French fries, particularly with their signature waffle fries, which have been the most ordered item on their menu since their debut in 1985. These waffle fries are known for their natural potato flavor, liberal salting, and a perfect balance of grease and salt. They are larger and more customizable compared to competitors, making them a better value for customers. In terms of sales, Chick-fil-A has consistently shown strong performance, generating $18.814 billion in U.S. systemwide sales in 2022, with a steady growth trend over the years. The chain's waffle fries are also a key factor in their high customer satisfaction, contributing to their robust sales figures.

Popeyes

Popeyes, although not ranked as the top producer of French fries, still stands out for its unique Cajun fries, which offer a distinct flavor profile that sets them apart. Despite some consistency issues, Popeyes' Cajun fries are popular for their spicy and smoky flavor, contributing to the brand's overall success. Popeyes has seen significant growth, with a 6.8% increase in same-store sales during Q3 of 2012 and a market share increase to 19.1% by the end of that year. The brand's operational improvements, including faster service times and higher guest satisfaction, have also enhanced the overall dining experience. However, in a ranking focused on texture, flavor, and presentation, Popeyes' fries were noted for not always meeting the cravings for traditional French fries.

Burger King

Burger King, a global fast-food giant, has made significant strides in enhancing its French fries, making them a compelling choice for consumers. Introduced in the late 1990s, Burger King's new fries feature a potato-based batter that helps them stay hotter longer and provides a unique crunch, setting them apart from traditional French fries. Despite not being made from fresh potatoes like some competitors, these fries have gained popularity for their taste and texture. As of 2024, Burger King's sides category, which includes fries, accounts for 8% of their total sales, amounting to $1.8 billion. This innovation has contributed to Burger King's continued success, serving over 15.7 million customers daily.

Checkers/Rally's

Checkers & Rally's is renowned for its exceptionally tasty and crispy French fries, with a macronutrient breakdown of 54% carbs, 41% fat, and 5% protein per serving. These fries are a good source of potassium, providing 7% of the Daily Value. Introduced over 20 years ago when the first Double Drive-thru restaurant opened, they have remained a popular choice. A medium serving of Checkers & Rally's fries contains 500 calories, 24g of fat, and 63g of carbohydrates. The fries are seasoned with a secret blend and cooked to perfection. For more details, check Checkers & Rally's Famous Seasoned Fries.

Arby's

Arby's stands out as a leading producer of French fries, with their sales experiencing a significant surge, such as a 22% increase in the first six months of 2024 for their grocery store offerings. Their French fries, including the popular Curly Fries, are known for their unique taste and crispy texture, making them a favorite among consumers. A medium order of Arby's French fries contains 67g of total carbs, 21.3g of fat, and 477 calories, highlighting their nutritional profile. The brand's success in both restaurant and grocery store settings underscores its appeal and quality. Arby's commitment to delivering high-quality, flavorful fries has contributed to their strong market presence. For a detailed nutritional breakdown, you can refer to the Arby's French fries nutritional information.