The 20 best chain restaurants in America

From Cracker Barrel to P.F. Chang's, there's little that brings the nation together like a love for the restaurants that span the US. At the same time, not much is more divisive than the question of what chain comes out on top.

To answer the question once and for all, Business Insider teamed up with Restaurant Business, a food-service industry expert and media outlet, to compile a ranking of the best sit-down restaurant chains in the US. Using proprietary data collected by Restaurant Business and its sister research firm Technomic, we looked at 90 of the largest sit-down US chains and rated them on three criteria: financial performance as demonstrated by sales, customer satisfaction, and overall value.

Our calculations accounted for sales growth, average sales at each location, consumer-sentiment ratings, and the average cost of a meal, along with other metrics.

The results revealed the dominance of some American classics, such as Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden. However, there are also some lesser-known upstarts, like Abuelo's and First Watch, that are taking on industry giants and quickly establishing themselves as some of the best chains in the country.

Here are the top 20 best chain restaurants in the US.

Emmie Martin, Tanza Loudenback, and Kaitlyn Yarborough contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article.

20. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews

Headquarters: Greenwood Village, Colorado

US sales: $1.48 billion

Number of US locations: 533

Financial performance rank: 13

Value rank: 22

Customer satisfaction rank: 22

Fans of the chain swear by burgers such as the Smoke & Pepper, the Black & Bleu, and the Madlove Burger (a Black Angus patty topped with four types of cheese, jalapeño relish, candied bacon, avocado, tomato, onion, and lettuce).

Red Robin launched a rebranding effort in 2012, updating decor, revamping restaurant layouts, and doubling down on its bar business. In January, Brian Vaccaro of financial services firm Raymond James said the company is "undervalued," and that key hires could bring the chain to new heights in 2017.

19. P.F. Chang's China Bistro

Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona

US sales: $892 million

Number of US locations: 216

Financial performance rank: 19

Value rank: 42

Customer satisfaction rank: 18

P.F. Chang's debuted in the early 1990s as a partnership between Philip Chiang, owner of the staple Los Angeles Chinese restaurant Mandarette, and Paul Fleming, an Arizona restaurateur and avid Mandarette fan.

The chain is known for its lettuce wraps and dim sum. Its entire menu is made-to-order and utilizes fresh ingredients.

18. Joe's Crab Shack

Headquarters: Houston, Texas

US sales: $370 million

Number of US locations: 113

Financial performance rank: 32

Value rank: 9

Customer satisfaction rank: 7

Joe's Crab Shack is struggling — but loyal customers still love the chain.

In August, the mid-bankruptcy chain closed 41 restaurants without warning. Executives plan to shrink the chain from 113 locations to roughly 60, Nation's Restaurant News reported.

Despite this, Joe's Crab Shack still landed in the top 10 in terms of value and customer satisfaction.

17. The Cheesecake Factory

Headquarters: Calabasas, California

US sales: $2.1 billion

Number of US locations: 194

Financial performance rank: 11

Value rank: 46

Customer satisfaction rank: 23

The Cheesecake Factory is famous for its extensive and calorie-packed menu.

Today, the chain — which started with a single homemade cheesecake in 1949 — serves more than 30 cheesecakes. In July, the chain launched its latest cheesecake flavor: a Celebration Cheesecake made with both original cheesecake and vanilla cake and topped with edible "confetti."

16. Olive Garden

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida

US sales: $3.87 billion

Number of US locations: 840

Financial performance rank: 2

Value rank: 18

Customer satisfaction rank: 32

Americans still love endless breadsticks, with Olive Garden now the No. 2 biggest sit-down restaurant chain by sales in the US. The chain has also managed to win over millennials, a generation that is typically suspicious of casual dining chains.

"Millennials still want to come to restaurants," Gene Lee, Darden Restaurants' CEO, said in a call with investors in June. "I know you all don't think millennials go to casual dining restaurants, but 30% of all our guests are millennials."

15. Yard House

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida

US sales: $524 million

Number of US locations: 65

Financial performance rank: 27

Value rank: 32

Customer satisfaction rank: 25

Yard House serves more than 100 brews on draft, priding itself as a leader in chain restaurant craft beer selection. Particularly thirsty customers can order beer in a "half yard," a 32-ounce monster of a glass.

In addition to beer, Yard House serves up an extensive list of bar-friendly offerings such as poke nachos, wings, and fish and chips.

14. BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

Headquarters:

US sales: $993 million

Number of US locations: 189

Financial performance rank: 17

Value rank: 28

Customer satisfaction rank: 20

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse offers a Southern California twist on traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza.

The chain opened its first location in 1978. In the last two decades, BJ's has also become a craft beer champion. The chain has won more than 150 awards for its craft beers, including the gold medal for robust porter at the World Beer Cup 2016 with its PM Porter.

13. Bonefish Grill

Headquarters:

US sales: $630 million

Number of US locations: 210

Financial performance rank: 25

Value rank: 15

Customer satisfaction rank:

12. Pappasito's Cantina

Headquarters:

US sales: $160 million

Number of US locations: 24

Financial performance rank: 50

Value rank: 27

Customer satisfaction rank: 5

Pappasito's is a newcomer on the list this year. While the chain only has 24 locations, it's quickly becoming a cult favorite and earned one of the highest customer satisfaction scores.

The Tex-Mex chain is just one of many chains run by the Pappas family. Other brands include Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, and Pappas Bar-B-Q.

11. Chuy's

Headquarters:

US sales: $331 million

Number of US locations: 82

Financial performance rank: 37

Value rank: 6

Customer satisfaction rank: 14

Founders Mike Young and John Zapp opened the first Chuy's in Austin, Texas in 1982.

The chain's Tex-Mex menu draws from culinary traditions rooted in New Mexico, Mexican border towns, South Texas, and more. In addition to the food, the chain is known for its quirky decorations, with hand-carved wooden fish, hanging hubcaps, and shrines to Elvis Presley.

10. Seasons 52

Headquarters:

US sales: $247 million

Number of US locations: 40

Financial performance rank: 42

Value rank: 7

Customer satisfaction rank: 9

Seasons 52 sets itself apart from sister brands Yard House and LongHorn Steakhouse with a more upscale menu and sophisticated environment.

With an average check of $33.30, it's pricier than the average restaurant chain. However, items like Chilean sea bass and sea scallops aren't going to be cheap — and loyal customers are more than willing to pay up.

9. Bahama Breeze Island Grill

Headquarters:

US sales: $219 million

Number of US locations: 36

Financial performance rank: 46

Value rank: 16

Customer satisfaction rank: 13

Bahama Breeze is one of the lesser-known chains on the list, with just 36 locations.

The chain serves up Caribbean-inspired fare, including Jamaican jerk chicken, conch fritters, and tropical cocktails.

8. LongHorn Steakhouse

Headquarters:

US sales: $1.64 billion

Number of US locations: 500

Financial performance rank: 12

Value rank: 13

Customer satisfaction rank: 15

LongHorn, which is owned by the same parent company as Olive Garden and Yard House, is known for its steak and sizable margarita selection.

The first LongHorn location opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. One year later, according to the chain, it went from a struggling single restaurant to a local phenomenon after an unexpected blizzard stranded motorists and forced them to seek food and shelter there.

7. Abuelo's

Headquarters:

US sales: $123 million

Number of US locations: 39

Financial performance rank: 51

Value rank: 1

Customer satisfaction rank: 2

Abuelo's is the smallest restaurant on the list by sales. However, when it comes to value, it's No. 1.

The chain serves Mexican and Tex-Mex classics such as fajitas, burritos, and margaritas. Items are made fresh in restaurants, which are designed to imitate an open-air Mexican courtyard.

6. First Watch

Headquarters:

US sales: $174 million

Number of US locations: 160

Financial performance rank: 49

Value rank: 19

Customer satisfaction rank: 6

First Watch is all about breakfast. Unlike most sit-down chains, First Watch is only open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In addition to a menu packed with breakfast classics like eggs and pancakes, the chain also offers diners complimentary newspapers and WiFi to provide the necessary ingredients for the ideal morning routine.

5. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Headquarters:

US sales: $2.32 billion

Number of US locations: 640

Financial performance rank: 10

Value rank: 8

Customer satisfaction rank: 16

Cracker Barrel is a road tripper's paradise, with travelers making up 60% of customers, according to the company.

The chain has tried to keep up with the times with initiatives such as its fast-casual concept, Holler & Dash. However, for many fans of the chain, it's things like the semi-kitschy old country store, biscuits, and vast array of breakfast foods that keep them coming back for more.

4. Maggiano's Little Italy

Headquarters:

US sales: $412 million

Number of US locations: 52

Financial performance rank: 31

Value rank: 3

Customer satisfaction rank: 3

Maggiano's serves up classic homemade Italian dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and chicken parmesan.

The first Maggiano's location opened in Chicago in 1991. Brinker International — also the parent company of Chili's — purchased the chain in 1995 and grew it to its current size of 52 locations.

3. Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Headquarters:

US sales: $751 million

Number of US locations: 165

Financial performance rank: 22

Value rank: 4

Customer satisfaction rank: 10

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen gets its name from its commitment to making every dish fresh to order from "scratch." According to the Texas chain, this dedication to fresh and speedy service requires twice the number of kitchen cooks as other restaurants.

The chain's menu is filled with American classics like burgers, pastas, and steaks.

2. The Capital Grille

Headquarters:

US sales: $413 million

Number of US locations: 56

Financial performance rank: 30

Value rank: 2

Customer satisfaction rank: 1

The Capital Grille is the priciest chain on the list, with an average check of $53.60. However, diners still feel like they're getting their money's worth.

That's probably because the chain is second to none when it comes to customer satisfaction. The Capital Grille's wine list contains more than 350 options, and fine-dining menu items like sliced filet and seared halibut aren't available at most restaurant chains.

1. Texas Roadhouse

Headquarters:

US sales: $2.34 billion

Number of US locations: 499

Financial performance rank: 9

Value rank: 10

Customer satisfaction rank: 4

For the second year in a row, Texas Roadhouse reigned supreme among the chain restaurants.

Since opening in 1993, the chain has gained a cult following who swears by its steaks, ribs, and unlimited, fresh-baked bread and cinnamon butter. When diners arrive at their table, they are given a bucket of peanuts and encouraged to toss the shells on the floor, a testament to Texas Roadhouse's casual atmosphere.

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