Map of Fast-Food Favorites Claimed Texas Loved In-N-Out the Most

Last Thursday, October 19, Business Insider released a map of the United States with each state’s “favorite” fast-food joint’s logo covering the state. According to the article, they used data from Foursquare to compile the map, and they explained that the information reflected the “…most visits on average per location in every state based on the total number of visits to each chain divided by the number of locations in that state.” If the explanation isn’t confusing enough, the map itself will leave your head swirling – Texas was covered in an In-N-Out Burger logo!

Immediately, Twitter users and news outlets like KSAT called a timeout. Surely Whataburger would be Texas’ number one fast food chain. Wouldn’t it? While the internet collectively exploded with confusion, Munchies penned an article explaining why the map was so out of touch. Foursquare’s Senior Director of Communications, Dorothy Jean Chang told Munchies, “Yup, we goofed. We used a methodology that highlighted the popular fast food chains per location in each state, which is a different thing than popularity overall.”

So it looks like Texans don’t have to defend their beloved Whataburger, and we don’t have to wonder how Chick-Fil-A has taken over the rest of the country. Foursquare plans to amend their list soon.