Eastern Iowa Has 8 of the 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains

We're still missing a few of these popular eateries... but not many!

Recently, the website Eat This listed the 27 fastest-growing restaurant chains in 2024. Out of the top ten, we are only missing two of them here in Eastern Iowa! But, those two DO have locations elsewhere in the state. Here are all of the top ten, including those two missing restaurants:

McDonald's
Starbucks
Wendy's
Chipotle
Papa Johns
Texas Roadhouse
Outback Steakhouse - Locations in Ankeny, Clive, & Sioux City (Cedar Rapids location closed in February 2024)
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Slim Chickens - Locations in Ankeny & Grimes

Once you get into the top 20 fastest-growing restaurant chains, you start to see places that we DON'T have here in Iowa. We of course have Jersey Mike's, Crumbl Cookies, and Culver's, but some of the chains that haven't made their way to the Hawkeye State yet include:

Jack in the Box - #11: Closest Midwest locations are in Illinois & Missouri
Del Taco - #12: Closest Midwest locations are Michigan & Ohio
Dutch Bros. Coffee - #13: Closest Midwest locations are Missouri & Kansas
Bonchon - #16: Closest Midwest locations are Illinois & Minnesota
Fogo de Chão - #17: Closest Midwest locations are Missouri, Minnesota, & Illinois

Is there a restaurant chain that you'd like to see here in Eastern Iowa? I would LOVE to get a Jet's Pizza location in Cedar Rapids, and I also wouldn't mind a Qdoba location over here! Let us know what chain you want to see in the area by sending us a message on our station app.