Battle of the Brands: Every Brand and Franchise Rivalry Across the United States

Updated: Jul 17, 2023By Audrey KyanovaBusiness History

This article originally appeared on Investing.com. It has been republished here with permission.

Burger King vs. McDonald’s @Andrey Armyagov / Shutterstock.com

One thing capitalism is very good at doing is creating competition, and in the U.S. there is plenty of that, even for some of the largest brand names in the world. Famous brands try to one-up each other everyday, whether through witty social media comments, new products, or good ol’ fashioned sales.

We’re all familiar with nationwide rivalries like GM versus Ford or Burger King versus McDonald’s. But you might be surprised to see some of the brand boxing matches on this list, especially as those squaring up are pretty localized. Read through to see which regional rivalries are heating up across the Midwest, South, and West and East Coast of America.

1. PDQ vs Pollo Tropical

Located in: Florida
Industry: Restaurant

Business Insider described both of these restaurants as “fast-growing,” “better-chicken” fast food chains. But PDQ and Pollo Tropical aren’t just trying to outdo chains like KFC and Popeyes—they’re also trying to dethrone each other for the prime spot in the chicken-based fast-casual market.

PDQ vs Pollo Tropical @eatpdq / @PolloTropical / Facebook.com

They’re not totally the same, but they’re pretty close. Pollo Tropical is based in Miami, and it specializes in Caribbean Cuisine. PDQ is headquartered a few hours away in Tampa. Currently, Pollo Tropical is way in the lead, in terms of chains. Pollo has 141, while PDQ has just 55, though it is growing pretty rapidly and upping the ante with its fresh choices.

2. Taco Time vs. Taco Bell

Located in: Northwest U.S.
Industry: Restaurant

The eternal burning question for fast food taco fans is whether Taco Time is better than Taco Bell. While it’s pretty clear that Taco Bell has the lead in terms of branches and net revenue, Taco Time is hot on its trail in terms of quality and nostalgia, with one Trip Advisor reviewer handing Taco Time the decisive win.

Taco Time vs. Taco Bell @tacotime / @tacobell / Facebook.com

Taco Time’s food is probably fresher. Just like Twitter loose cannon Wendy’s, Taco Time’s beef is never frozen and always fresh. Taco Bell, sadly, cannot say the same. According to one employee in a PopSugar interview, Taco Bell meat comes “frozen in bags” that they then have to let sit in hot water.

3. Waffle House vs. IHOP

Located in: Nationwide
Industry: Restaurant

HHS Media put it this way: IHOP is more popular on social media than Waffle House, but Waffle House has a more “intimate feel” and “experience,” which is a nice way of saying that if you go to Waffle House, you might get to see a fight.

Waffle House vs. IHOP @WaffleHouse / @IHOP / Facebook.com

IHOP and Waffle House have had a rivalry for ages, and the question of who’s better than who occasionally grips the nation. Generally, the consensus is that IHOPoffers a comparatively more upscale feel, but there’s just something about Waffle House that you have to love. IHOP has 1,650 branches, while Waffle House has 2,100, so, haters aside, Waffle House has more of a presence.

4. The Habit vs. In-N-Out

Located in: California
Industry: Restaurant

One Redditor took a deep dive into what exactly the difference was between In-N-Out’s and The Habit’s burgers. According to the burger connoisseur, the burgers were of a similar size, had the same “secret sauce,” and similar toppings, but there was one major difference. In-N-Out makes their burgers on a flat top, while Habit flame-grills them.

The Habit vs. In-N-Out @habitburger / @innout / Facebook.com

So the Great California Burger Challenge really comes down to which you prefer. In terms of size, In-N-Out has The Habit beat, as the former has 358 locations, while the latter has 288 and counting, so that could most certainly change.

5. Big Jud’s vs. Sonic

Located in: Idaho
Industry: Restaurant

If you live outside of Idaho you might be scratching your head at this rivalry, but believe us, it’s real. Big Jud’s is a world famous burger jointin Boise, Idaho, and it has taken it upon itself to beef with Sonic (pun intended). Right now, Big Jud’s has just two locations, whereas Sonic has 3,500.

Big Jud’s vs. Sonic @bigjudsboise / @sonicdrivein / Facebook.com

While Sonic hasn’t reached McDonald’s level yet, it is still light-years ahead of Big Jud’s, but that’s not what really matters here. YouTubers, Door Dashers, and Facebookers alike seem to have given Big Jud’s a cult following, particularly when it comes to its “Big Jud Challenge,” where you have to consume a one-pound burger, fries, and a drink to win a t-shirt.

6. Bojangles vs. Zaxby’s

Located in: Texas
Industry: Restaurant

One of the most famous food rivalries raging today is that of Zaxby’s and Bojangles. Both chains offer fried chicken, sandwiches, and fries to their Southern customers, but they differ in terms of the flavor of the chicken. If you’re a hot and spicy fan, Bojangles is the best choice. If you’re more traditional, you can’t go wrong with Zaxby’s.

Bojangles vs. Zaxby’s @Bojangles / @Zaxbysv / Facebook.com

While neither chicken chain has reached the level of social media feuding as Wendy’s vs. everyone else, they often do take shots at each other (and Popeyes) on Twitter. One publication described the Zaxby’s vs. Bojangles’ feud as a “bitter rivalry.”

7. Albertson’s vs. Safeway

Located in: Virginia
Industry: Grocery Store

This is a competition that really just benefits both parties at the end. Albertsons and Safeway are owned by the same company, but that doesn’t mean that each subsidiary doesn’t try to outdo the other whenever it gets the chance.

Albertson’s vs. Safeway @Albertsons / @Safeway / Facebook.com

Checkbook.org found that both Safeway’s and Albertsons’ prices were 4% higher than other regional competitors, though they weren’t as high as QFC’s, which was 6% higher than other chains. Albertsons bought Safeway in 2015, assuming control of not only Safeway and its stores, but also a 49% share of the Mexican grocery chain Casa Ley. Count this one as a rivalry where everyone wins in the end.

8. Shake Shack vs. Smashburger

Located in: Western U.S.
Industry: Restaurant

Smashburger has been selling more upscale fast food for the past few years, and that has placed it in direct competition with Shake Shack. Shake Shack has struggled on and off in the past few years, surviving its market shares dropping and rising suddenly.

Shake Shack vs. Smashburger @shakeshack / @smashburger / Facebook.com

The burger-and-fries market is pretty saturated, and neither Smashburger nor Shake Shack can hope to get on the level of Burger King or McDonald’s. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t feud with each other. Shake Shack has a lot on its plate—pun intended—as it also has a “bloody, bitter feud” with In-N-Out, according to Noshkong.com.

9. Biscuitville vs. Hardee’s

Located in: Virginia
Industry: Restaurant

This feud comes down to one thing and one thing only: biscuits. Biscuitville and Hardee’s have had a longstanding feud over which fast food chain serves better biscuits, and, judging from social media opinions, the results seem pretty split. Biscuitville’s and Hardee’s biscuits are both made from scratch and soft and fluffy.

Biscuitville vs. Hardee’s @biscuitville / @Hardees / Facebook.com

So, who is better? Facebook and Twitter opinions aside, there’s no denying that Biscuitville has a leg-up on Hardee’s, as their biscuits aren’t just made from scratch—they’re made from scratch and served fresh and hot “every fifteen minutes.” However, Hardee’s has more locations to sell its biscuits. This biscuit brawl has been raging since the sixties, with no signs of stopping.

10. Ralphs vs. Vons

Located in: Nevada
Industry: Grocery Store

Another addition to the grocery store feuds in America is Ralphs vs. Vons. This feud might seem totally confusing to anyone who lives outside of the SoCal region, but, in Southern California, it’s a thing. Findmyanswer.com pointed out that the two chains are the same price, but Vons has better deals on alcohol. However, Ralph’s has boar’s head meat at its deli counter, if you’re into that.

Ralph’s vs. Vons ©MSPhotographic / ©Eric Glenn / Shutterstock.com

The two are even owned by rivaling parent companies. Ralph’s is owned by Kroger, while Vons is owned by Albertsons (the same people who own Safeway). Both Ralphs and Vons are so similar that people often assume they’re owned by the same parent company.

11. Whataburger vs. In-N-Out

Located in: Oregon
Industry: Restaurant

In-N-Out is in a lot of feuds on this list, mainly because the market is so saturated. The In-N-Out vs. Whataburger rivalry is yet another addition, and Business Insider took the question seriously, investigating just who was better. The results were a mixed bag, to say the least.

Whataburger vs. In-N-Out @whataburger / @innout / Facebook.com

In-N-Out hasn’t been able to reach the lows of McDonald’s prices, but it is still cheaper than Whataburger, with the former’s burger costing $3.60 and the latter’s costing nearly $7. Business Insider also found that In-N-Out burgers were just better, with fresher ingredients and better secrete sauce. However, Whataburger got points for having better fries and better, friendlier, customer service. All in all, it’s a toss-up.

12. Thrasher’s French Fries vs. Five Guys

Located in: Ocean City, Maryland
Industry: Restaurant

One publication described Thrasher’s French fries as a “timeless Ocean City tradition.” If you ask people outside of Ocean City who has better French fries, Five Guys or Thrasher’s, people will probably say Five Guys, as they’re better known. However, Thrasher’s has a cult-following that will argue with anybody about the merits of the boardwalk restaurant’s fries.

Thrasher’s French Fries vs. Five Guys @OriginalThrashersFrenchFries / @fiveguys / Facebook.com

Thrasher’s only serves fries—nothing else. Thrasher’s was actually the inspiration for Five Guys’ founder Jerry Murrell, who was impressed that Thrasher’s always had a “150-foot line.” Five Guys copied Thrasher’s use of high-quality potatoes and peanut oil. So, Thrasher’s rivalry with the Burger King competitor wouldn’t even exist were it not for Thrasher’s inspiring Five Guys.

13. Culver’s vs. Naty’s

Located in: Wisconsin
Industry: Restaurant

One Yelp reviewer called Naty’s Fast Food a “hidden gem.” The Naty’s vs. Culver’s feud is definitely a very localized one, as Naty’s is only located in Wisconsin, in a tiny building that you might miss if you drive too fast. Culver’s, by contrast, has locations all across the Midwest, though it is headquartered in Wisconsin.

Culver’s vs. Naty’s @culvers / @natyburgers1 / Facebook.com

Naty’s serves similar food to Culver’s, though, as one Google reviewer said, the interior is much more “pared down.” However, Culver’s does have a recent edge over Naty’s, as Food and Wine Magazine listed it as the site of the “best fast food in every state.”

14. Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods

Located in: Louisiana (and Nationwide)
Industry: Grocery Store

Trader Joe’s demolishes Whole Foods in a price comparison test, something that pretty much everyone guessed was going to happen anyway. The two nationwide grocers have been feuding for a long time over who has the healthier store. Trader Joe’s sells almost all its own store-brand products, while Whole Foods, though it does have a store brand called 365, sells a wider variety.

Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods ©Roman Tiraspolsky / ©QualityHD / Shutterstock.com

Business Insider called Whole Foods “disappointing” when compared to Trader Joe’s. One reporter went shopping in both and found that, “from prices to branding,” Trader Joe’s was far superior. Whole Foods has over 350 branches, while Trader Joe’s has 503, giving it a lead in presence as well.