Jollibee named best fried chicken in country for 2nd straight year: USA Today

(KRON) — In a competitive landscape of beloved comfort foods, America’s choice for best fried chicken is clear for the second straight year. It is no longer a fluke that the Philippines’ Jollibee was named the best fried chicken in America.

USA Today’s 10Best recently published a top 10 list of the best fried chicken spots from fast food chains in the United States — chosen by the outlet’s expert panel of five writers in addition to its editorial team. Like it did in 2024, the popular Filipino chain reigns supreme — pretty impressive for a company to beat out U.S.-based fried chicken brands.

“WE LOVE YOU JOLLIBEE FAMILY!!! Thank you to @usatoday @10best and all our fans for naming us the #1 Fast Food Fried Chicken two years in a row!!!” Jollibee wrote in a social media post.

Known for its signature “Chickenjoy,” Jollibee has more than 1,700 restaurants across the globe. 10Best says Jollibee is the “fastest-growing Asian restaurant company in the world.”

“They’re best known for Chickenjoy, the signature juicy, flavorful fried chicken. Order it in buckets or accompanied by sides — and don’t forget to dip it in their silky gravy,” 10Best writes.

USA Today 10Best: Top Fast Food Fried Chicken (2025)

1. Jollibee
2. Pollo Campero
3. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
4. Church’s Texas Chicken
5. Guthrie’s Chicken
6. Krispy Krunch Chicken
7. Golden Chick
8. KFC
9. Chick-fil-A
10. Popeyes

Jollibee has deep ties to the Bay Area as the company’s first restaurant in the United States opened in Daly City in 1998. The fast food chain was founded with its first location in Quezon City, Philippines in 1978 (Fun fact: Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was born in 1978).

In 2023, Jollibee didn’t even crack the top 10 list. The chain rose to the top spot a year later.

To read the full 10Best list, head to USA Today’s website.