Which fast food in the USA is halal?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 report by the Institute for Islamic Studies, the American halal food market is experiencing significant growth, leading to more questions about which fast food in the USA is halal. Finding truly halal fast food can be challenging due to varying certification standards and limited options from major national chains, which makes verification crucial for observant consumers.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines fully halal-certified fast food chains and discusses how major American chains, like KFC and Subway, only offer localized halal options. It highlights the importance of verification and finding certified local businesses.

Key Points

Inconsistent Halal Status: Most major fast-food chains like KFC and Subway do not guarantee halal status across all U.S. locations, leaving it up to individual franchisees.
Look for Dedicated Halal Chains: Reliable 100% halal options include national franchises like The Halal Guys and Dave's Hot Chicken, which have built their brand around serving certified halal products.
Local Eateries are Key: The most consistent halal fast food can often be found at independent local restaurants and food trucks that specialize in halal cuisine.
Verification is Crucial: Always ask for confirmation or look for visible certification at any location claiming to serve halal, as standards can vary and cross-contamination is a risk.
Halal-Specific Apps: Use digital tools like specialized apps and websites to find and verify certified halal restaurants in your area.

Navigating the Halal Fast Food Landscape in the USA

For observant Muslims, navigating the vast American fast food market can be a complex endeavor. While in Muslim-majority countries, many major chains are fully halal, the landscape is much different in the USA, where consumers must often seek out specific locations or dedicated halal establishments. The challenge lies not just in finding a menu item, but in ensuring the entire preparation process, from sourcing to cooking, adheres to Islamic dietary laws.

Fully Halal-Certified National Chains

Some chains have built their entire business model on serving 100% halal-certified food, offering reliability and peace of mind to diners. These restaurants eliminate the guesswork, making them a safe and easy choice for a quick meal.

The Halal Guys: What began as a New York City food cart has expanded into a national franchise, known for its chicken, gyro, and falafel platters served with signature white and hot sauces. All meat is consistently halal across their U.S. locations.
Dave's Hot Chicken: This popular chain, specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, proudly serves a menu that is entirely certified halal. They have numerous locations in major cities across the USA.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken: With locations often found inside convenience stores and supermarkets, Krispy Krunchy Chicken is another option for certified halal chicken. However, customers should still verify at each location to be certain, as some franchisees may differ.
Pizza Twist: This innovative pizza chain incorporates Indian flavors and is known for serving 100% halal-certified meat toppings. With locations in multiple states, it provides a reliable halal option for pizza lovers.

Major Chains with Limited or Localized Halal Offerings

Many large fast food corporations do not offer a blanket halal guarantee across all their U.S. locations. Instead, specific franchisees may choose to offer halal products to cater to local Muslim communities.

KFC: As of 2024, KFC does not have a fully halal menu across its U.S. stores. Only a limited number of franchise locations, such as some in Chicago and Atlanta, offer specific halal items. These offerings are not supplied through KFC's national distribution system, and customers should always verify with the specific location.
Subway: In the past, some U.S. Subway locations have offered halal meats, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations. However, the brand's national policy does not guarantee halal status, and concerns regarding cross-contamination from handling non-halal products have been raised. Verification at the specific store is essential.
Burger King / Shake Shack: In cities like New York and Los Angeles, some Burger King and Shake Shack locations have adapted to urban populations by serving halal burgers. This is not a national standard, so inquiring at the specific restaurant is necessary.
McDonald's: In 2013, McDonald's discontinued its halal offerings in the U.S. after a lawsuit over false advertising. The brand does not offer halal food in the U.S. but does in Muslim-majority countries.

Local and Independent Halal Fast Food

Beyond national franchises, many local, independent businesses across the country specialize in halal fast food. These are often the most reliable options, as their entire operation is dedicated to serving the halal market.

Examples of Local Halal Fast Food Eateries:

Smile Burger (Chicago): Specializes in Zabiha halal burgers and wings.
Royale with Cheese (Detroit): A halal-inspired burger joint with a Pulp Fiction theme.
Halal Shack: A rapidly growing franchise that is 100% halal, serving bowls, platters, and gyros.
Paradise Biryani Pointe (New Jersey, Texas, California): An Indian fast food chain with guaranteed halal meat.

A Quick-Reference Table: Halal Fast Food Options


Restaurant Chain	Halal Guarantee in USA	Common Offerings	Verification Required?
The Halal Guys	Yes (100% across all U.S. locations)	Gyro platters, chicken, falafel	No, but check for certificates
Dave's Hot Chicken	Yes (100% across all U.S. locations)	Hot chicken tenders, sliders	No, but check for certificates
KFC	No (Limited, localized franchisees only)	Varies by location (fried chicken pieces)	Yes, always
Subway	No (Localized franchisees, cross-contamination risk)	Varies by location (sandwiches, salads)	Yes, always
Burger King	No (Limited, localized franchisees in major cities)	Varies by location (burgers)	Yes, always
Pizza Twist	Yes (100% across all U.S. locations)	Indian-fusion pizzas	No, but verify with local store

Conclusion: The Importance of Verification

When seeking halal fast food in the USA, the crucial takeaway is that the responsibility for verification ultimately falls on the consumer. While dedicated, 100% halal chains offer consistency, the major national brands have inconsistent policies that vary by franchise and location. When in doubt, always ask staff for their specific halal certification and supplier information. Using online directories or specialized apps for halal dining can also help in locating reliable options and ensuring your meal aligns with your dietary needs. By staying informed and diligent, you can confidently enjoy halal fast food wherever you are in the United States. You can find useful resources through organizations like the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, McDonald's does not offer halal-certified food in the USA. They discontinued their limited halal menu items in 2013.

No, the vast majority of KFC locations in the U.S. are not halal. Only a very small number of franchise locations, such as some in Chicago and Atlanta, offer halal meat, and it is best to confirm directly with the specific restaurant.

The most reliable method is to call or visit the specific restaurant location and ask for their halal certification. For major chains, a national policy is not guaranteed, so local verification is key.

No, it is not safe to assume this. Besides the meat needing to be halal-certified, there is also a risk of cross-contamination from employees handling other products. You should always verify the specific location's practices and meat sourcing.

Zabiha is the specific method of slaughter prescribed by Islamic law, ensuring the animal is treated with care and the prayer is recited during the process. Zabiha certification is the highest standard for many observant Muslims.

Yes, The Halal Guys pride themselves on serving a 100% halal menu across their U.S. locations, which includes their chicken, gyro, and falafel platters.

Halal apps are a helpful resource, but they should be used with caution. It is always best to cross-reference with other sources or call the restaurant directly to ensure their information is up-to-date, especially for non-fully-halal chains.