20 Up-And-Coming Fast Food Chains You Probably Haven't Heard Of Yet
Fast Food’s Next Big Bite
Big names may own the drive-thru spotlight, but a new wave of fast food is cooking up serious buzz. These rising chains are ditching tired formulas in favor of bold flavors, fresh concepts, and regional flair. You might not know them yet, but your cravings soon will. Here are 20 spots quietly redefining fast food in America. Which ones have you tried?
1. Salad And Go
Arizona’s drive-thru salad chain is flipping the script on fast food. With over 140 locations across states like Texas and Nevada, its menu features $6.24 salads and breakfast burritos. Each dish is prepped fresh daily in a central kitchen. Expansion plans aim for thousands of stores nationwide.
2. 7th Street Burger
Smashburgers and no-frills simplicity define this NYC-born concept. It launched in 2021 and already has 19 storefronts across New York and Washington, D.C. The menu sticks to basics—single, double, fries, and shakes—executed well. Its late-night hours and urban appeal have turned it into a cult favorite.
3. Next Level Burger
Based out of Oregon, this 100% plant-based chain is challenging burger norms. Each patty is made from organic, non-GMO ingredients, and the shakes are oat- or soy-based. The founders aim to make sustainable eating convenient, not niche. Stores are already popping up in California, Texas, and Colorado.
Next Level Burger | Portland, OR by The Apples
4. SuperDeluxe
Don’t let the name fool you—this Portland chain goes for old-school drive-in vibes, not over-the-top gimmicks. It first opened in 2018 and recently restructured after a temporary shutdown. Burgers, tots, and shakes remain the stars. With its streamlined menu, it's plotting a quiet comeback.
5. Super Pollo
Charbroiled chicken is the main event at this Mexico-rooted franchise. Its U.S. stores in Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska serve marinated flame-grilled chicken with traditional sides like rice and tortillas. Its success lies in sticking closely to heritage flavors.
Grant Broggi Super Pollo Taco Review Costa Mesa, California by Grant Broggi
6. Currito
Launched in Cincinnati, Currito specializes in globally inspired burritos and bowls. The brand stands out for mixing Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican flavor profiles under one roof. Their build-your-own model caters to health-conscious eaters with quinoa and lean proteins.
AMAZING BURRITO AT THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT from Currito Burrito by Alan Pjanic
7. Café Zupas
This Utah-based fast-casual chain offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and house-made dressings. Unlike big-name competitors, it cooks everything fresh in-house daily—no frozen ingredients allowed. Its seasonal menu rotates with unique recipes like cauliflower chowder and berry basil lemonade.
Cafe’ Zupas Italian Club was Divine by Brandon Foodie Channel
8. Dave’s Hot Chicken
Started in a Los Angeles parking lot, Dave’s Hot Chicken now serves fiery tenders and sliders in more than 15 states. Heat levels go up to “Reaper,” which requires a waiver to order. Its spice-heavy menu, unique flavors, and quick service are driving expansion in places like Florida and California.
9. Quesadilla Gorilla
What began as a small Fresno shop has become a California cult brand. Their customizable quesadillas use fresh tortillas, local cheese, and a roster of house-made sauces. Portion sizes are generous, and prices stay under $10. Their fast, no-fuss format is helping them scale across the West Coast.
Quesadilla Gorilla restaurant by Fresno Bee
10. EVO
EVO’s menu was designed by a former Shark Tank contestant. It focuses on protein bowls, sourdough wraps, and low-carb pizzas—minus processed oils and added sugars. Meals clock in under 700 calories without sacrificing portion size. Fitness enthusiasts and keto fans have taken notice locally.
EVO Kitchen & Bar - Portland, Maine by APS Films
11. Face Plant
North Portland’s vegan drive-thru, Face Plant, occupies a former McDonald’s lot. Instead of Big Macs, they serve meatless nuggets and burgers. They also have plant-based shakes. The concept proves that fast vegan food can still hit the snack zone.
A New Kind of Fast Food: Meet Face Plant by Port of Portland
12. Bun Mee
San Francisco’s Bun Mee modernizes Vietnamese banh mi for the fast-casual crowd. It pairs crusty baguettes with fillings like five-spice chicken or tofu curry, topped with house-pickled veggies. Founder Denise Tran wanted a banh mi shop with Shake Shack vibes.
SFO Air Fare #16 - Bun Mee by San Francisco International Airport
13. Pie Five Pizza
Pie Five bakes personal pizzas in five minutes using a conveyor-style oven. Diners pick cheeses and toppings, then watch them cook. Gluten-free and cauliflower crust options appeal to dietary needs. The chain peaked at 100 locations but now operates leaner, focusing on quality over sprawl.
Eli Christman from Richmond, VA, USA on Wikimedia
14. HNT Chicken
Brazil’s HNT (Hot 'n Tender) Chicken entered the U.S. market via Philadelphia with crispy tenders, rice bowls, and tropical juices. Each item is seasoned with South American spice blends, setting it apart from the usual Southern fare. Backed by Moonbeam Capital Investments, its U.S. footprint is just beginning.
Frango frito no balde do HOT N TENDER | MELHOR QUE KFC? by Canal dos Caçadores
15. Pür & Simple
A Canadian brunch favorite, Pür & Simple is debuting stateside with a San Antonio location. Their dishes feature loaded breakfast skillets, stuffed French toast, avocado toast, and pressed juices. The presentation gets the same love as taste, where plates arrive looking Instagram-ready. Unlike typical diners, service is streamlined for quicker turnover.
Pür & Simple Franchise by sean sarrami
16. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
Fast food meets feta fries at The Great Greek. This chain serves gyros, hummus bowls, and souvlaki in a made-to-order format with fresh, bold ingredients. With around 50 locations and hundreds more in the pipeline, it brings Greek street food to suburban U.S. markets hungry for something different.
Get to Know The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill by Franchise Direct
17. Singas Pizza
Founded in New York, Singas Famous Pizza specializes in 10-inch personal pies with signature sweet tomato sauce. Their newest expansion reaches Texas, marking a major regional leap. Each pizza is cooked to order in under 10 minutes. Combo meals with soda and fries keep pricing family-friendly.
18. Bonchon
Bonchon’s double-fried Korean chicken offers a crispy contrast to standard wings. Its soy-garlic and spicy sauces are made in a central location in Busan, South Korea, for consistency. Though it has over 100 U.S. stores, it remains largely unknown outside coastal cities.
19. Huddle House
Serving Southern-style breakfast all day, Huddle House mixes classic diner vibes with fast-casual service. Waffles and meat-loaded skillets top its offerings. Most locations are in small Southeastern towns, and it’s not yet on the national radar. A 20-store expansion deal in Texas could change that soon.
20. Veggie Grill
This California-based chain redefines vegan fast food with craveable, plant-based comfort dishes. They serve up burgers and bowls like the “Buffalo Bomber” and “VG Classic,” all 100% vegan. With a vibrant, inclusive vibe and a focus on sustainability, Veggie Grill is drawing crowds with its approachable style.
Veggie Grill: Fast-Growing Vegan Restaurant Chain by Vegan.com
