We searched high and low, across continents and cultures, to rank the best fried chicken franchises in the world. Based on reviews, flavor, customer loyalty, and global reach, here’s who made the cut… and the crunch.
🔟 Texas Chicken (a.k.a. Church’s Chicken in the U.S.)
📍 Origin: USA
⭐ What’s Hot: Southern-style fried chicken, honey-butter biscuits
🌍 Reach: Popular in Asia, Middle East, and Latin America
Why it made the list:
With over 70 years of frying experience, Texas Chicken still brings the Southern charm. Their buttery biscuits and golden-crisp chicken are consistently loved worldwide.
9️⃣ Raising Cane’s
📍 Origin: USA
⭐ What’s Hot: Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Cane’s secret sauce
🌍 Reach: Mainly U.S., expanding internationally
Why it made the list:
Simplicity is the secret here. With just one core item — chicken fingers — they’ve built a cult following thanks to top-tier quality and addictive sauce.
8️⃣ Mary Brown’s Chicken
📍 Origin: Canada
⭐ What’s Hot: Hand-cut taters, fresh chicken, homestyle flavor
🌍 Reach: Expanding across Middle East and Asia
Why it made the list:
Proudly Canadian, Mary Brown’s keeps it fresh and wholesome. With recipes rooted in family-style comfort, their fanbase is growing beyond borders.
7️⃣ Jollibee
📍 Origin: Philippines
⭐ What’s Hot: Chickenjoy, gravy, Filipino-style spaghetti
🌍 Reach: Southeast Asia, Middle East, U.S., Europe
Why it made the list:
This Filipino icon brings joy in every bite. Chickenjoy is legendary, and its sweet-savory combo has found fans in even the toughest fried chicken markets.
6️⃣ Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
📍 Origin: USA
⭐ What’s Hot: Cajun-style chicken, spicy tenders, biscuits
🌍 Reach: Over 30 countries and expanding fast
Why it made the list:
Bold spices, rich Louisiana roots, and that viral chicken sandwich moment — Popeyes packs a punch in both flavor and fanfare.
5️⃣ Bonchon Chicken
📍 Origin: South Korea
⭐ What’s Hot: Double-fried wings, soy garlic glaze, spicy kick
🌍 Reach: U.S., Asia, Middle East
Why it made the list:
Bonchon brought Korean fried chicken to the global stage with crunchy perfection and unforgettable sauces. It’s where fried meets finesse.
4️⃣ Nando’s
📍 Origin: South Africa
⭐ What’s Hot: Flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, Afro-Portuguese flavor
🌍 Reach: 30+ countries including UK, Australia, and Canada
Why it made the list:
Technically grilled, but we had to include it. Nando’s peri-peri heat and cheeky vibe made them a global favorite for spice lovers.
3️⃣ Kyochon Chicken
📍 Origin: South Korea
⭐ What’s Hot: Premium soy garlic chicken, artisanal approach
🌍 Reach: Strong presence in Asia, growing in U.S.
Why it made the list:
Quality over quantity. Kyochon is known for small-batch, high-standard chicken with a delicate balance of crisp and flavor.
2️⃣ KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
📍 Origin: USA
⭐ What’s Hot: 11 herbs and spices, Zinger, global consistency
🌍 Reach: 145+ countries
Why it made the list:
The OG chicken empire. While not always the tastiest locally, KFC's global influence, consistency, and legacy make it nearly unbeatable.
🥇 bb.q Chicken (Best of the Best Quality)
📍 Origin: South Korea
⭐ What’s Hot: Golden Olive Chicken, Secret Spicy, wide flavor range
🌍 Reach: USA, Asia, Middle East, expanding rapidly
Why it’s #1:
Crispy without being greasy, flavor-packed without being overwhelming. bb.q Chicken is loved by food critics and fans alike — for good reason. This Korean heavyweight blends quality, innovation, and variety better than any other.
🔥 Final Thoughts
The fried chicken world is vast, flavorful, and surprisingly diverse — from the soulful South to spicy Seoul. Whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or craving new flavors, there's a top-ranked bird for every bite.
🍽️ What's your favorite fried chicken spot? Comment below and let’s debate the crunch!
📌 Don’t forget to share this list with your foodie friends!
Comments
0 comment