Dave’s Hot Chicken Tops Yelp’s Most Loved Brands

Consumers are cautious, still spending, and they love what they love. Yelp Most Loved Brands of 2025 report provides a snapshot of loyalty to certain brands and why and where enthusiasm is strongest.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is the Nashville-style spicy chicken QSR that began in a Los Angeles parking lot and has since drawn a passionate following. Dave’s dominates in repeat engagement and high review scores across its national footprint to become one of the most beloved brands in America this year, according to Yelp’s latest report.

Consistency, nostalgia, and value are some of the traits that landed brands such as Trader Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Chili’s, and Olive Garden on the Yelp most beloved brands list for 2025. Yelp’s analysis weighed review sentiment, repeat visits, searches, and photo uploads, signaled a shift in how beloved brands quality with localized relevance.

Yelp’s Sarah Chang, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Sales, went deeper into the findings.

What does Yelp’s data reveal about how local experiences drive national brand love?

Every national brand is a collection of local experiences. Yelp’s data shows that consistency across those experiences is what separates the Most Loved Brands from the rest. When a customer visits a Dave’s Hot Chicken in Los Angeles or New York, they expect the same craveable tenders, the same customization options, and the same friendly service. Our data reveals that the brands earning the most loyalty are those that excel at the fundamentals in every location: great service, friendly teams, clean and welcoming spaces, and dependable quality. When those local experiences deliver time after time, they translate into strong review sentiment, repeat page visits, and the kind of word-of-mouth that builds national brand love. 

How do the dynamics differ between local chains and national brands?

Local chains often benefit from deep community roots and personalized touches that inspire passionate, detailed reviews from loyal regulars. National brands, meanwhile, must replicate that feeling of connection across hundreds of locations. What distinguishes the Most Loved Brands is their ability to scale the fundamentals like dependable quality, friendly teams, and welcoming spaces at every location.

Dave’s Hot Chicken tops the list not just nationally but across multiple states. What does this say about regional loyalty patterns, and how do Yelp users’ preferences vary across U.S. markets?

Dave’s Hot Chicken success across multiple states speaks to the universal appeal of bold flavors and a strong brand identity. But at the same time, our data also reveals that brand favorites aren’t one-size-fits-all. Regional and state patterns show distinct preferences: in California, steakhouse concepts like Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse dominate; the Midwest favors hearty portions and the something-for-everyone menus of The Cheesecake Factory. In New York, quick-service chicken chains like Raising Cane’s and bb.q Chicken resonate with busy city dwellers seeking convenience.

Legacy brands like Chili’s and Olive Garden are re-emerging as “comeback” favorites. How much of this is driven by nostalgia and emotional connection versus operational changes like menu updates or service improvements?

Both nostalgia and operational changes are driving these comebacks, and they reinforce each other. In a cautious spending environment, consumers reward reliability and familiarity, and legacy brands like Chili’s, Olive Garden, and Denny’s have leaned into what made them iconic in the first place: comfort dishes, big portions, and broad menus that make family dining easy. But nostalgia alone isn’t enough. Our data shows that these brands have re-earned consumer love by re-emphasizing their core strengths while maintaining the fundamentals like great service, dependable quality, and welcoming spaces. The nostalgia-meets-value reset we’re seeing reflects consumers seeking both emotional connection and tangible value for their dollar. 

Brands like Shake Shack and Dutch Bros are resonating with younger audiences through digital convenience and bold identities. What distinguishes these next-gen loyalty drivers from those of older consumers?

Zillennial brands are built for the feed. They blend expertly crafted brand identities with quality products, a sense of humor, and social shareability. Brands like Shake Shack, Dutch Bros, and 7 Brew Coffee pair a memorable, modern identity with a digital experience that speaks the language of the internet without over-explaining the joke.

How are brands using Yelp’s Review Insights tool to adjust local operations or marketing strategy?

Review Insights leverage Yelp review data and LLMs to discern reviewer sentiment for common aspects of a business such as food quality, service, ambience, wait time, value, and more. Brands can use these AI-driven insights to pressure-test their plans, refine offerings, and spot growth opportunities. For example, a brand might discover that diners consistently praise service at certain locations, signaling strengths to amplify in marketing. Conversely, if sentiment around wait times dips at specific locations, operators can address those issues.

For local restaurant and retail operators studying this report, what’s the single most important takeaway about building lasting customer relationships in 2025 and beyond?

In a year defined by price sensitivity, earning customer loyalty is more important than ever. Loyalty is built at the intersection of great experiences and value. Excel at the fundamentals, respect your customers’ time and budgets, and create memorable moments that inspire word-of-mouth. When you do that consistently, customers will reward you with their trust and their return business.