Chik-fil-A app leads top 10 most popular restaurant apps

It's not often that a restaurant chain has its app hit the top of the U.S. App Store chart. In fact, it's hard to remember it ever happening before.

Yet Chik-fil-A has managed to do just that with Chik-fil-A One, its new app that launched on iOS in May. What's made it so popular? Giving away chicken sandwiches, as it turns out, is a primo way to get folks to download something.

Still, aside from making us hungry for delicious Southern chicken sandwiches with pickles and waffle fries, the success of Chik-fil-A had us curious to see which other restaurant chains have popular iPhone apps and what exactly you can do with them.

Read on, but probably only after you've eaten.

Chik-fil-A

by Chick-fil-A, Inc. - download free on iPhone and iPad

Even after the free sandwich promotion is over later this month, this app seems like it will be useful for people living near one of the chain's U.S. locations. You can order and pay ahead of time and get rewards for doing so, plus the app will remember what items you like most. No word on whether the spelling challenged cows helped develop it.

Starbucks

by Starbucks Coffee Company - download free on iPhone and iPad

This coffee company is so ubiquitous in the U.S. that it's hard to imagine one even needs an app for it, considering the closest one is likely not far away. That said, the app does exist and can be used to order and pay, plus reload a Starbucks Card using Apple Pay. Only on iOS, of course.

New Dunkin' Donuts

by Dunkin' Donuts - download free on iPhone and iPad

As opposed to old Dunkin' Donuts, one would guess. Like its coffee competitor (yes, DD is known more for coffee than donuts to many), you can order, pay and earn rewards with this one. It also features a store locator and nutritional info, dubious as that may be when talking donuts.

SONIC Drive-In

by Sonic - download free on iPhone and iPad

Known mostly for its neverending TV advertising assault, SONIC does actually have a nice variety of food, and it really is served drive-in style. The app looks like its mostly good for staying on top of the restaurant's ever-changing but quite nice array of offers and promotions.

Moe's Rockin' Rewards

by Punchh Inc. - download free on iPhone and iPad

Give Moe's Southwest Grill credit for coming up with a catchy name for its app. As said name suggests, the app is primarily for tracking rewards for frequent customers, though it also works with your phone's GPS to find a Moe's nearest you. When you absolutely, positively have to have a burrito now.

Domino's Pizza USA

by Domino's Pizza LLC - download free on iPhone and iPad

Pizza apps have a tendency to be a little more functional since there's a customization element to any pizza order. The Domino's app certainly comes through on the front, plus it makes ordering a pizza as simple as possible with voice ordering and a handy tracker so you can see when your pizza is closing in.

Pizza Hut

by Pizza Hut, Inc. - download free on iPhone and iPad

Not to be outdone, the Pizza Hut app also allows users to create exactly the pie they want, even if that means half and half toppings or other special requests. Orders can be placed up to a week ahead of time if you know exactly when your next pizza night is going to be (sorry, U.S. only).

Panera Bread

by Panera Bread - download free on iPhone and iPad

You probably know the drill by now. Panera customers can see the full menu, locate the closest bakery, etc. There's even a health tracker element, though we guess it doesn't shame you for eating too many carbs, seeing as this is a chain famous for its bread.

BURGER KING App

by Burger King Corporation - download free on iPhone and iPad

The kind of cool, kind of creepy Burger King mascot would really make this app the best. As it is, you'll have to make do with exclusive coupons, mobile payments, the menu, and a store locator. That's good enough, we guess.

Papa John's Pizza

by Papa John's International Inc. - download free on iPhone and iPad

If you've read this far, you know what to expect from a pizza chain app. Order from your phone, browse the entire menu, and rack up rewards. Favorites can be saved, and there's a Speed Menu for when you simply want plain or pepperoni and don't want to make a lot of decisions.