15 Best Fast Food Soups Ranked in 2025

If you’re looking for a hearty and comforting meal on the go, picking up some fast food soup could well be the answer. With many people turning to soup as a nutritious alternative to traditional fast food fare like burgers or pizza, there’s been an increase in the number of fast food restaurants with soup on their menus.

Brands such as Panera Bread have long been associated with steaming bowls of soup, but dig your spoon a little deeper, and you’ll find fast food soup on a lot of menus, from Chick-fil-A to Wendy’s. From a restaurant’s perspective, it makes total sense to expand its offering too. Soups can cater to many different dietary requirements but are still quick and easy to serve.

So, what are the best soups, stews, chilis and broths? Our list of the top fast food soups covers the most appetizing and savory soups and more at fast food restaurants and ranks them according to taste, texture and overall satisfaction.

 Jump to Section

• How We Choose the Best Fast Food Soup
• The 15 Most Popular Fast Food Soups Ranked
• What Fast Food Places Have Soup?

How We Choose the Best Fast Food Soup

With more than a decade of experience in the food industry, Cozymeal has long been committed to helping you discover the greatest culinary experiences. Whether that’s a private chef meal, a food tour or a ranking of popular foods, every activity or guide is based on extensive research.

To create our list of the top fast food soups, the Cozymeal team undertook online and in-person investigations. The team sampled each soup from a wide range of restaurants and gave feedback, which was collated and reviewed to assess, compare and finally rank our choices.

Taste and texture were the overall guiding considerations when choosing the best fast food soups, but we also made sure that our list includes:

• Soups to suit a variety of palates and dietary preferences, including vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
• Fast food soup that's available at outlets across the country.
• Dishes that can be enjoyed as lunch, dinner or an anytime snack.

The 15 Most Popular Fast Food Soups Ranked

15. Panera Bread Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

When you think of fast food soup, Panera Bread is probably one of the first brands that springs to mind. It’s one of the healthiest fast food chains and one of the best fast food restaurants with soup. Unfortunately, however, Panera’s Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup failed to make it out of last place.

While the flavor wasn’t bad, it really lacked the depth and punch of aromatic herbs that we expect from a chicken noodle soup. The base broth is watery and the lack of noodles (a spoon search revealed five or six loose strands) did nothing to improve the situation. 

We also felt that the other ingredients, including the chicken and vegetables, were a bit sparse, while the whole soup could have benefited from a boost of seasoning. Overall, this is a so-so alternative, but the failure to deliver on its potential felt as frustrating as eating soup with a fork.

14. Firehouse Subs Chicken and Dumpling Soup

If a fast food chain is going to venture into chicken and dumpling soup territory, let’s just say it had better be good. Many families have their own chicken and dumpling recipes, passed down through generations and held sacred, so any soup in this category is going to be under a lot of pressure.

In our opinion, Firehouse Subs Chicken and Dumpling Soup did deliver well, but couldn’t stand up against the others on our list. This fast food soup features a heavy and comforting broth, despite actually being a relatively low-carb soup. 

The creaminess was enjoyable, but it did rob the soup of some of its chicken flavor. The dumplings were also soft and pillowy, absorbing enough of the soup to make them flavorful but not to turn them into a soggy mess.

Unfortunately, the lack of chicken was the real fly in the soup here. A deep dive with our spoon revealed a few pieces, but it’s not the nourishing chicken soup experience we were hoping for.

13. Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup 

Potato soup is an iconic winter warmer and this edition from Jason’s Deli is one of the top fast food soups around. It’s made with a mix of milk, cream and cheddar to add a luxurious richness, plus carrots and onions for a hint of crunch.

While some fast food soup lacks the main event, this one was jam-packed with chunks of soft potato. We agreed that a little more seasoning would be appreciated, but overall, this is a solid fast food soup. It’s also cost-effective if you’re searching for cheap fast food.

12. Potbelly Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Another decent fast food soup, Potbelly’s Broccoli Cheddar version, has a substantial hit of cheese. Again, we felt it needed more seasoning to really make it come to life, but we appreciated the emphasis on rich and tangy Cheddar.

There are large florets of broccoli scattered throughout this soup and some retain a little bite, which makes for a pleasant eating experience. If you appreciate a chunky soup, you’ll love the texture, but if you’re seeking something smoother, then this might not appeal.

11. Chick-fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup

Another major contender in the battle of the chicken noodle fast food soup, Chick-fil-A’s version, achieved a position close to the lower end of our list. Ultimately, this was due more to texture than taste. 

The chicken breast was shredded rather than cubed, which we felt made the soup less satisfying. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for an easier bite, then this could be a terrific fit. This is also one of the healthiest items at Chick-fil-A, making it ideal for those looking for a lighter meal.

In terms of flavor, this soup really delivered. The broth is full of umami punch and includes celery and carrots for crunch and color. There was also a respectable amount of egg noodles, which soaked up the broth. 

The soup had a good level of seasoning and wasn’t overly salty, a common complaint of fast food soup. For extra crunch, your Chick-fil-A soup is served with a packet of Saltines, to dip or crumble as desired.

10. McAlister’s Deli Chili

McAlister’s Deli has one of the varied fast food soup selections you’ll see, with seven options on the standard menu. For our list, we focused on the chili (which, for the sake of this guide, we’ve classed in the fast food soup category), made with finely chopped beef. 

The flavor of the McAllister’s chili was spicy, rich and well-balanced. However, for many of our team, the beef was too finely ground, which made this more of a thick purèe than a traditional chili.

To bean or not to bean? McAlister’s Deli Chili has answered the question on the not-to-bean side. This worked for some of our team, while others would have preferred beans to bring some texture to the dish. For lovers of a smooth, silky texture, this Chili will appeal, but others may dislike the lack of chew and absence of juicy chuck.

There’s also a Veggie Chili version at McAlister’s Deli for non-meat-eaters. Filling and full of nutrient-rich ingredients, this is some of the best vegetarian fast food around.

9. Panera Bread French Onion Soup 

It can’t claim to have the gourmet credentials of a traditional French onion soup, but Panera’s version is very popular. The onions are caramelized until meltingly tender, while a sherry wine vinegar reduction enhances the sweetness of the onions but also brings a citric sharpness.

If you want to make this French Onion Soup into a bigger meal, you can pair it with a Toasted Frontega Sandwich, probably the best Panera sandwich in our opinion. It’s packed with chicken and mozzarella to complement the flavors in the soup and will add protein and extra vitamins and minerals to your meal, too.

8. Panera Bread Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup 

Panera Bread’s Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup came in last place in our ranking, but this chicken soup felt like a serious upgrade. The noodles have been replaced with wild rice, adding extra creaminess and depth to the flavor as well as a thicker texture. 

It also contains a lot more chicken than some of the other fast food soups out there, making it feel like more of a premium experience. With a decent amount of protein and a mix of carbohydrates and vegetables, this is one of the healthiest items at Panera. It’s perfect for a simple lunch, especially when the mercury starts to drop.

7. Wendy’s Chili

Some of our team swear that chili should have beans, others that they belong nowhere near chili. But everyone can agree that Wendy’s Chili is a great fast food soup choice when you want a bowlful of something warm with a homemade feeling. It’s also an ideal option if you’re seeking out low-carb lunch ideas.

Wendy’s Chili is made from the same juicy chunks of beef that go into the brand’s hamburgers. It also has a mix of pinto and red kidney beans for more bite. The seasoning mix contains garlic, salt, spices and chili powder, so there’s plenty of fiery flavor but not ‘blow your head off’ heat. 

If you want to customize, you can add a variety of toppings like shredded cheese or chopped onions. You can also grab extra packets of hot sauce to increase the spice level.

6. Potbelly Chicken Pot Pie Soup

The original Chicken Pot Pie is reinvented at Potbelly into a heavy soup that’s more akin to a stew or a casserole. The chicken in this Potbelly soup is slow-roasted to enhance its flavor and combined with peas, kernels of sweet corn and slices of carrots for a pop of sweetness and color. 

The soup is then topped with a crumbly, crusty topping that adds more crunch and bite to every spoonful. Some purists could argue that this turns this dish into more of a cobbler-style dish than a true fast food soup, but we loved it. Thanks to the chicken and assortment of vegetables, this is also one of the healthiest fast food soup picks, offering a balanced yet still quite light meal.

5. Noodles & Company Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken soup is famous for its medicinal effects, especially in curing colds, but is there any scientific evidence to back this up? Actually, an oft-cited study published by Dr. Stephen Rennard, and summarized by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, found that there is some proof to support this claim. 

Rennard’s study found that chicken soup may have mild anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to clear upper respiratory infections, such as colds and flu. So, with a slight cold coming on, we had high hopes for this selection of fast food soup.

It didn’t cure our cold, but it was undeniably delicious and very comforting. The soup is flavorful, with a generous helping of wavy noodles, celery and carrots. The broth was well-seasoned and overall, this felt like one of the healthiest fast food soup choices, earning itself a well-deserved 5th place on our list.

4. Café Zupas Chicken Noodle Soup

Taking the top position among the Chicken Noodle fast food soup options in our list is Café Zupas’ offering. The menu at this part casual, part fast-food restaurant actually features several soups, including Chicken Enchilada Chili, Wisconsin Cauliflower and Tomato Basil.

We stuck to the Chicken Noodle variety and were very pleased with the decision. This is probably the closest any of the fast food soups we tasted came to a homemade experience. The broth is light but full of flavor and the vegetables are thickly sliced to bring crunch and depth. 

Large pieces of lightly grilled chicken are served over rotini noodles, which can be slurped alongside a mouth-watering broth. The whole soup feels light, fresh and nourishing.

Plus, if you do have a cold, this would make you feel a little bit better almost instantly. Best of all, with only 260 calories per large serving, this is a tasty and low-calorie fast food option; what more could you want? 

3. Potbelly Chili

The third installment from Potbelly on our list of the best fast food soup and chili, is the brand's chili that's thick and meaty. There’s also a fantastic ratio of beans, tomatoes and peppers to suit most palates, whatever your preference.

What stood out for us most was the freshness of the flavor here. While some fast food soup can taste mass-produced or reheated, this chili had a fresh-from-the-kitchen vibe that really made it stand out.

Finding gluten-free fast food can be tricky, but this could be a great choice (as long as cross-contamination is not of concern). Be aware as well that the Potbelly chili is served with oyster crackers, which do contain wheat, so ask for these to be omitted when ordering. 

2. Culver’s George’s Chili

If you’re looking for quick lunch food ideas, a bowl of George’s Chili from Culver’s is a great pick. This was the highest-scoring chili on our fast food ‘soup’ list, and believe us, the competition was heated.

George’s Chili is made from a secret family recipe that’s been handed down through the generations, and it shows. The flavor is full of depth, with warming spices and aromatic heat. The base is made with slowly simmered beef, red kidney beans and a mix of onions, peppers and celery. This produced one of the heartiest picks among all fast food soups on our list and is a standout among chili options at fast food restaurants.

You can upgrade your order to George’s Chili Supreme, which means that your chili is topped with sour cream, onions and cheese. George’s Chili is medium-spicy, so this could be a decent alternative for those who prefer their Chili on the milder side.

1. Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup

There’s just something so satisfying about a mug of creamy broccoli soup. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic memories, or it could be that perfect balance of sweet, savory and sharp. Either way, Panera Bread’s Broccoli and Cheddar Soup gets it just right and sweeps into our number one fast food soup spot.

The Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup is made with a base mix of Cheddar cheese, chicken stock, salted butter and whipping cream. This is combined with chunks of broccoli that have been cooked just long enough to retain bite, as well as carrots and onions. 

Dijon mustard is added to the soup to cut through the richness of the cheese and a hint of pepper enhances the flavor overall. This fast food soup is excellent with Panera’s signature baguette, or served in one of the brand’s bread bowls, but we’ve also been known to pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich for extra indulgence.

What Fast Food Places Have Soup?

Soup is not a universal menu item at fast food restaurants, but it is popular at several big hitters. Panera Bread, Firehouse Subs and Jason’s Deli are well-known for their soup and sandwich combos, but many other fast food chains have a few soup options that are worth a taste. 

Having read our guide to the best fast food soup and chili, you should have a good idea of where to head when the craving hits, but here's a reminder of our favorite fast food soup restaurants:

• Panera Bread
• Firehouse Subs
• Jason’s Deli
• Potbelly
• Chick-fil-A
• McAlister’s Deli
• Wendy's
• Noodles & Company
• Café Zupas
• Culver's

These chains also sometimes have soup. However, keep in mind that it might only be available seasonally:

• Subway
• Taco Bell
• Starbucks
• KFC
• Applebee's

Does Wendy’s Have Soup?

Wendy’s has a diverse menu of favorites that includes several varieties of soup. The exact availability differs by location and the season — variations such as Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Cheddar make regular appearances in the colder months.

While not strictly a fast food soup, Wendy’s is also famous for its chili, which is available throughout the year. There are two serving sizes on the menu, both of which are among the healthiest items at Wendy's.

You can find the chili on the Fries and Sides portion of the menu, and we recommend pairing it with a bacon cheese-loaded potato for a substantial lunch on a chilly day.

Soup may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fast food, but it can be an excellent way to warm up on cool fall and winter days.

In fact, fast food soup can be a cost-effective, filling and healthy meal or snack all year round. If you fancy a little variation in your standard fast food order, soup can also be a brilliant alternative or addition to a sandwich or salad. 

Whether you love a broth bursting with fragrant herbs and spices or a chili made using a secret recipe, our list of the best fast food soup has something for everyone.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.