GA has a favorite fried chicken chain and it’s not Chick-fil-A, new survey shows

Georgia has long been Chick-fil-A country, but another fast-food chain is challenging its foothold in the state. A new national study shows that when it comes to comfort food, Georgia prefers Bojangles.

The online coupon site CouponBirds helps shoppers save money by finding high-quality discount codes and their study reveals the favorite chain in every state.

America’s love for comfort food

Americans have a deeply emotional and complex relationship to food and what we eat is tied to all aspects of our identity, including comfort and tradition.

Food is at the center of many American rituals and fast food chains can often tap into those feelings, especially in the South.

The culinary magazine, Baked, suggests comfort food is about more than just calories, saying “Depending on where you grew up, who you grew up with, where you move, and the heritage of your family, your comfort foods are unique to you.”

Researchers found:

• 26% of Americans turn to comfort food during times of stress or anxiety.
• 21% eat it to cope with sadness or depression.
• 12% seek it when feeling lonely, showing how food can substitute for connection and community.

Chick-fil-A’s Georgia Roots

The results of the CouponBirds survey are fairly shocking, given Chick-fil-A’s deep roots here and the commitment many folks have to their chicken sandwich.

Some folks may have expected Chick-fil-A to dominate the poll given its chicken sandwich and waffle fries have been staples of Georgia malls, airports and neighborhoods for decades.

Chick-fil-A even has its own place in The Georgia Historical Society and Georgia is Chick-fil-A’s home:

• Founded the Dwarf Grill (later renamed the Dwarf House) in Hapeville, Georgia in 1946
• Truett Cathy invented what is widely considered the first-ever fried chicken breast sandwich in the early 1960s
• The first Chick-fil-A restaurant was opened in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall in 1967
• It is one of the largest privately-held and family-owned restaurant chains in the U.S.

Other popular chains, by region

The study revealed just how region affects food preference:

• McDonald’s: Still king in six states including Illinois, New York, and Arizona.
• Culver’s: Rules the Midwest with seven states choosing the Wisconsin favorite.
• Sonic: Big winner in the Midwest: Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
• Popeyes: Surprised with wins in Louisiana, Florida, and even Kentucky over KFC.
• Dunkin’: Dominant across New England.
• Cook Out: The choice in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
• Burgerville, Whataburger, and In-N-Out: Smaller but fiercely loyal bases in Oregon/Washington, Texas, and California respectively.

How they found the favorite food for each state

The CouponBirds survey polled 3,263 American adults across all 50 states in August 2025.

Participants were asked about:

• Their preferred fast-food chains for comfort
• Emotional drivers of eating
• Whether a favorite chain influenced their decision to move (or stay put).

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) admitted they wouldn’t move somewhere if it meant leaving their comfort food chain. Georgia’s pick, Bojangles’ is one of the chains that fans said their favorite fast food restaurant could influence where they lived.

What do you think of these results? Do you prefer Bojangles or Chick-fil-A?

Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "GA has a favorite fried chicken chain and it’s not Chick-fil-A, new survey shows."