The Top Four Fast Food Chains With Zero KY Locations

I live in Owensboro KY, and folks in the area have been known to post about restaurant chains we don't have here in town. But I haven't seen many of those recently, and I attribute that to the fact that 26 of the nation's top 30 fast food chains have Owensboro locations.

In terms of quantity within the top 30, Owensboro is hardly Oliver Twist. So maybe that's why "having some more" has died down on social media. But what about Kentucky? Well, the Commonwealth has taken care of business in this department; of the top 50 fast food chains in America, 46 can be found in Kentucky.

But what about the four stragglers who have yet to realize the Bluegrass State will flock to you if you come?

Of the top 50, according to QSR Magazine, one is a burger joint; two are Mexican restaurants; and the fourth is off the table. (No pun intended.)

Whataburger

At first, I thought this was a regional issue, but then I saw the list of states where Whataburger has located, and THAT went out the window. So it begs the question...if Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kentucky neighbors Tennessee and Missouri can offer their residents a Whataburger opportunity, why not the Commonwealth? This guy Keith would be here all the time if it ever happened.

Del Taco

I'm certain Del Taco races stiff competition from Taco Bell wherever it lands, but it still cracked the top 50 and business seems to be booming. Personally, I've never heard a call for one in Kentucky, but maybe I'm not talking to the right people. In any case, unlike Whataburger, not even any of Kentucky's NEIGHBORING states has a Del Taco, so we may never be on that particular list.

El Pollo Loco

You know, since two of the three most popular fast food chains not located in Kentucky are Mexican chains, that may indicate that the overwhelming presence of so many wonderful locally-owned Mexican restaurants renders the desire for an El Pollo Loco non-existent. And considering the fact the farthest east this chain has reached is Louisiana, I don't expect Kentuckians will be holding their breath.

Carl's Jr.

If you've seen a commercial for either Carl's Jr. or Hardee's, you'll get that they are essentially the same restaurant, with just a few differences. And those differences can be found on the menu. Fried zucchini and teriyaki chicken sandwiches are not something you'll ever find on a Hardee's menu. Conversely, those Frisco sammies don't show up at Carl's Jr. That's because one is a western chain and the other an eastern chain, and, I'm guessing, never the twain shall meet. By the way, here's an explanation for the two names:

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The bottom line--for me, anyway--is that not every state NEEDS every fast food chain known to man. I have no date for this, but I could probably figure out all the legit reasons the above three aren't in Kentucky and may never be. In the meantime, we have 47 other choices, so we'll be just fine.