The Most Popular Grocery Store in America Is Not What You'd Think

Grocery shopping is an errand that can either make or break your day — especially depending on which store you go to. While some stores make the experience smooth, others make you question your life choices in the dairy aisle.

YouGov, a market research firm, recently surveyed 1,220 Americans between October and December 2024 to find out which grocery stores tickle our fancy. 

They measured two key metrics: "popularity," the percentage of shoppers with a positive view of a store, and "fame," the percentage of those who know about the place. 

Here are the top 10 grocery chains in America according to the survey. 

Popularity: 46 percent

Fame: 66 percent

Sprouts started as a West Coast thing but has since spread across the country with over 400 locations. 

The mid-sized grocery chain for organic, fresh produce, is not cheap, but health-conscious shoppers love it for its vegan cheeses, plant-based options, and massive hummus selection. 

It’s great for bulk goods and niche health items but pricey for everyday groceries.

Popularity: 49 percent

Fame: 82 percent

Safeway making the list of the top 10 most popular grocery stores in America is a bit of a surprise, considering how much hate it gets online. 

The middle-of-the-road grocery store is not the cheapest and not the trendiest among grocery stores, but still 49 percent of customers find it reliable. 

Popularity: 50 percent

Fame: 73 percent

The relatively small Fresh Market, with around 170 locations, is an upscale, boutique-style grocer that leans into organic, gourmet, and specialty foods. It’s pricey, highly curated, and designed to feel more like a European market than a traditional supermarket.  

Popularity: 53 percent

Fame: 85 percent

The Florida-born grocery chain has a cult-like following, so it’s no surprise it made the list. People love it for its customer service, clean stores, and, of course, the legendary Pub Sub — because if you know, you know. 

Popularity: 54 percent

Fame: 89 percent

Circle K making the list might raise some eyebrows, but it’s everywhere, and people rely on it. Circle K is more of a convenience store with a gas station than a full-fledged grocery chain, but with over 6,878 locations in the U.S., it’s often the closest option when you need something fast. 

Popularity: 60 percent

Fame: 93 percent

Kroger is America’s largest traditional grocery chain. That said, some stores feel outdated, and customer service can be hit or miss, depending on the location. But with affordable private-label goods and constant sales, it remains a go-to for millions of Americans. It’s not exciting, but it gets the job done. 

Popularity: 60% 

Fame: 90%  

While Aldi is one of those grocery stores you either love or don’t get the hype about, the Germany-founded chain still managed to land in the top five most popular grocery stores in America, with 60% of customers giving it a positive rating. Aldi keeps prices low, skips the extras, and sells store-brand products that often match or beat name brands.

Popularity: 61% 

Fame: 95%  

Whole Foods made organic and free-range mainstream, so it’s no surprise it ranks as the third most popular grocery chain in the country. For those who prioritize organic, sustainable, and specialty products, Whole Foods is worth it. For the budget-conscious, though, it’s more of a special-occasion stop — when you’re okay with spending $30 on a snack.

While prices have come down slightly since Amazon acquired it in 2017, and Prime members now get exclusive discounts, it’s still one of the most expensive grocery stores in America.  

Popularity: 64% 

Fame: 94%  

At this point, it’s a surprise that Trader Joe’s didn’t take the number one spot, given its massive cult following. The beloved grocery chain has perfected the small-store, big-loyalty formula with its quirky snacks, frozen meals that actually taste good, and a famously cheerful shopping experience. 

Popularity: 65% 

Fame: 97%  

No one expects to see 7-Eleven on this list but somehow, it took the number one spot, with 65% of customers giving it a positive rating. It’s not a supermarket, it’s not a place for a full grocery haul, but with nearly 10,000 locations across the country, it’s always there when you need it — and apparently, that counts for a lot.