Yelp Data Reveals the Most Loved Brands of 2025

For more on the methodology for this report, click here.

As part of Yelp’s ongoing commitment to highlighting great businesses, we’re excited to unveil 2025’s Most Loved Brands, celebrating the national brands that have cultivated loyalty and love on Yelp. Even as many national chains navigated slower traffic, low consumer sentiment, and shifting consumer habits, we continue to see brands create exceptional experiences for their loyal customers. Yelp’s Most Loved Brands list recognizes national brands that deliver consistency, value, and delight at scale, as seen through the behaviors and sentiment of millions of Yelp users.

*Read about the methodology here

The Most Loved Brands earn their status by consistently creating memorable experiences that keep customers coming back and inspire word-of-mouth. Yelp analyzed a range of consumer behaviors that reflect a truly loved brand, from repeat page visits and photo uploads to search and review volume. This rigorous selection leaves us with a class of brands that excel at the fundamentals: great service, friendly teams, clean and welcoming spaces, and dependable quality across locations. The Most Loved Brands also spark strong consumer interest by being easy to discover and hard to forget, with distinctive branding and crave‑worthy products.

In a year defined by price sensitivity, earning customer loyalty is more important than ever. Customers count on businesses to deliver their favorite menu items as expected or to complete services reliably every time. This dedication to quality sets the Most Loved Brands apart, driving great reviews and, most importantly, repeat visits. Every day, we see purchase-ready Yelp users reward outstanding experiences with positive feedback and ongoing business. With millions of buying decisions made on our platform daily, Yelp's data offers unique insight into the brands that keep customers coming back.

— Sarah Chang, Yelp's vice president and head of enterprise sales

2025’s Most Loved Brand: Dave’s Hot Chicken

Dave’s Hot Chicken earns the top spot this year, hot off a run that also landed the brand at number two on Yelp’s 2025 Top Chicken Sandwich Chains list and number 28 on Yelp’s 2025 Fastest Growing Brands list. Founded in 2017 as a parking lot pop‑up in Los Angeles, Dave’s was started by friends with fine‑dining chops who set out to perfect Nashville‑style hot chicken. Today, the brand is known for ultra-craveable tenders and sliders with different spice levels, over-the-top heat for thrill‑seekers, and an indulgent lineup of shakes and slushers that balance the burn and fuel late-night runs.

Rapid expansion and a cult following—fueled by social buzz, late‑night relevance, and “sauce-forward” customization—show up clearly in Yelp’s data. 71% of Dave’s Hot Chicken reviews on Yelp are 4 or 5 stars, one of the highest review distributions we saw this year among brands, in addition to its high number of repeat pageviews on Yelp.

Check out the full list of the most loved brands:

*Read about the methodology here

As part of Yelp’s analysis, we also examined review sentiment for several popular topics across all of the brands’ locations using data from our AI-powered Review Insights feature. Review Insights leverage Yelp review data and LLMs to discern reviewer sentiment for common aspects of a business, such as the quality of its food, drinks, service, ambience, wait time, and more.

According to Yelp’s Review Insights, diners frequently mention Dave’s Hot Chicken’s consistent food quality, generous portion sizes, fast service, and notably, its customization options. Diners can tailor their orders with seven different heat levels—from mild “no spice” to the fiery “reaper”—making each visit uniquely their own. The brand recently brought back its “Dave’s NOT Chicken” lineup as well, offering cauliflower sliders and bites that provide even more options for every taste.

Based on a deeper dive in Yelp Review Insights data, Nothing Bundt Cakes (no. 7) had the most positive review sentiment for food quality and taste of all brands on the list, and First Watch (no. 4) earned top marks in portion size based on Yelp reviews. Trader Joe’s (no. 2) was noted highest for value and speed of service, showcasing the chain’s low prices and ability to serve customers quickly. See below for more sentiment data from Review Insights and the top brands representing them.

*Read about the methodology here

Trends defining 2025’s Most Loved Brands

The Most Loved Brands prove that loyalty is built at the intersection of great experiences and value. They surface common attributes—nostalgia, being social-first, and trust—that help brands earn a lasting place with customers.

Comeback brands: familiarity meets renewed value

After a dip in cultural momentum, several legacy concepts have re‑earned consumer love by leaning into what made them iconic in the first place. Chili’s (no. 25), Olive Garden (no. 10), and Denny’s (no. 19) have reemphasized their comfort dishes with big portions, and broad, familiar menus that make family dining easy. Meanwhile, Chuck E. Cheese (no. 49) has benefited from a nostalgia wave paired with refreshed in‑store entertainment. Together, these brands illustrate a nostalgia‑meets‑value reset: in a cautious spending environment, consumers reward reliability and familiarity. Yelp data reflects that with strong satisfaction signals and steady repeat engagement.

Zillennial brands: snackable, social, and unmistakably branded

Zillennial brands appeal to both Millennials and Gen Z, and are built for the feed — melding an expertly crafted brand with quality, limited-time products, a sense of humor, and social sharability. Shake Shack (no. 35), 7 Brew Coffee (no. 38) and CAVA (no. 50) pair a memorable, modern identity with a digital experience that’s as seamless as the food is delicious. Trader Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Insomnia Cookies (no. 40) keep things fresh with limited and seasonal drops that reward repeat visits. They also speak the language of the internet without over‑explaining the joke — brands like Dutch Bros (no. 11), Raising Cane’s (no. 44), and Kung Fu Tea (no. 39) have built their brands on viral shares. The common thread is a blend of strong brand identity, a fun digital presence, and a feeling that the brand “gets you,” which translates to high repeat interest and review activity on Yelp.

Services brands: trust, time savings and budget-savvy value win love too

For the first time, brands in services categories are featured on the list—proof you don’t need a restaurant or hotel to be beloved on Yelp. Valvoline Instant Oil Change (no. 16), Quick Quack Car Wash (no. 41), Discount Tire (no. 37), and Floor & Decor (no. 28) turn essential maintenance into positive rituals by combining speed and transparency with wallet-friendly value. Whether it’s low‑price guarantees, unlimited‑wash memberships, coupon-friendly oil changes, or warehouse pricing on home materials, these brands respect both time and budgets. When a brand removes friction, prioritizes great service and keeps costs in check, customers reward it with loyalty and advocacy.

Regional favorites: local tastes shape national love

Brand favorites aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all. Yelp data reveals distinct regional and state patterns in what people love, surfacing different favorites across the map. In California, steakhouse concepts and crispy chicken dominate, with restaurants like Texas Roadhouse (no. 8), LongHorn Steakhouse (no. 13) and bb.Q Chicken (no. 3) leading the way as diners seek out these comfort food favorites. The Midwest sees a preference for hearty portions, with First Watch and casual dining chain The Cheesecake Factory (no. 20) reflecting the region’s appetite for a meal with generous plates and something‑for‑everyone menus.

*Read about the methodology here

In New York, love for chicken-focused fast casual chains is headlined by Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken, signaling appreciation for quick-service options and the convenience sought by busy city dwellers. Meanwhile, in the rest of the Northeast, Asian-inspired concept P.F. Chang's (no. 22) satisfies the region’s craving for Asian fusion food.

Both the South and West are unified in their enthusiasm for comforting breakfasts and bold chicken dishes, with brands like First Watch and bb.Q Chicken pointing to a local love of bold Korean fried chicken flavors and elevated breakfast dishes.

*Read about the methodology here

For marketers, the Most Loved Brands turn Yelp consumer signals into next steps. Brands can use these insights to pressure‑test plans, refine offerings, and spot growth opportunities. For more information on how to leverage Yelp's data for your brand, visit Yelp for Brands.

- Felix Foerster contributed to this report.

Interested in learning how Yelp data can assist you in developing market insights for your business? The Yelp Insights API can help, learn more here.