For the second consecutive year, Nothing Bundt Cakes, the fast-growing bakery chain known for its handcrafted Bundt cakes and celebratory desserts, has claimed the No. 1 overall spot in America’s Favorite Chains, a major annual industry survey published by Nation’s Restaurant News in partnership with Technomic.
The report, which ranks restaurant brands based on consumer preferences across multiple categories, also placed Nothing Bundt Cakes at the top in service and hospitality, unit appearance and ambiance, food and beverage, and convenience and takeout. In the limited-service segment, the bakery brand was the preferred choice of millennial diners, underscoring its broad appeal among key consumer groups.
Industry experts say the bakery’s singular focus on premium artisan cakes and sweet treats gives it a competitive edge in guest satisfaction.
“They’re not trying to service all occasions, dayparts, and order flows like the drive-thru and the dining room. It is singular in what they’re offering you and how they’re fulfilling that,” said Robert Byrne, Director of Consumer & Industry Insights at Technomic. “They get to be excellent at that, and it’s reflected in their scores.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes CEO Dolf Berle echoed this sentiment, describing the brand’s connection with its guests as rooted in celebrations and everyday joy. “The core of our business is around everyday celebrations, and the product line is designed to serve those beautifully,” he said in a recent interview with Nation’s Restaurant News.
In addition to topping the list of favorite chains, Nothing Bundt Cakes will receive the Pacesetter Award for 2026 at the Restaurant Leadership Conference in April, an honor given to rising and influential brands in the restaurant industry. Nation’s Restaurant News Editor in Chief Sam Oches noted that the brand’s rapid expansion, including hundreds of new locations opening in recent years, has helped it forge strong ties with consumers.
The America’s Favorite Chains 2009 report also highlights emerging category trends: three coffee chain brands ranked in the Top 10 Marketplace Report overall for the first time in history, showing that consumer trends in fast food are beginning to change. Consumers continue to fall in love with brands that focus on beverages and social occasions, while traditional comfort foods such as Bundt cakes remain widely popular.
Founded in 1997 and now with nearly 800 bakeries across North America, Nothing Bundt Cakes has built its reputation on handcrafted cake quality, thoughtful presentation, and occasion-driven service. The company has differentiated itself from its competitors through its narrow but focused product line of Bundtinis, Bundtlets, and full-size cakes, as well as through its customer experience orientation. According to Technomic’s report, consumers are responding very well to the company’s single-mindedness of purpose.
Nothing Bundt Cakes’ recognition as America’s Favourite Chains indicates a broader trend in how consumers dine. Instead of simply seeking variety in menu selection, consumers today look for brands that resonate emotionally with them and offer memorable experiences with consistent quality and value.
