chick fil a pandemic
People walk past Chick-fil-A in New York City.
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  • Chick-fil-A ranked as rich American teens' favorite restaurant, according to a recent survey.
  • Starbucks and Chipotle trailed behind in the second and third spots.
  • The research surveyed 10,000 teens in 44 states.
  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

Chick-fil-A is the restaurant of choice among wealthy American teens, followed by Starbucks and Chipotle, according to a recent survey by Piper Sandler.

Piper Sandler surveyed 10,000 teens in 44 states. The survey also found that 85% of teens planned on dining in at a restaurant in the fall of 2021.

Chick-fil-A's sandwich starred in the chicken sandwich wars between fast-food giants like McDonald's and Popeyes, going to battle with their original chicken chicken sandwich recipe that hasn't changed much since the 1960s.

Though the chain is known for its chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches, it has also been dogged by controversy and criticized by LGBTQ activists for its past support of charities with anti-LGBTQ positions.

Chipotle was the second-most popular restaurant among teens, with its popularity climbing since the spring of 2020. Starbucks ranked in third place, with its popularity remaining stagnant compared to its peaks in 2013 and 2008.

Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to request for comment about the survey results.

"Chick-fil-A has very strong brand loyalists," former McDonald's chef Mike Haracz told Insider's Erin McDowell. "There are a certain number of consumers who are not going to go to McDonald's for a chicken sandwich because they go to Chick-fil-A."

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