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McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A lead among GOP choices, while Panera tops the list for Democrats, highlighting the different food preferences between red and blue campaign teams. An analysis by The Washington Post tracked spending in national campaign finance reports from January 2023 through September 2024, revealing a distinct divide in fast-food and restaurant preferences between Republicans and Democrats. (GOP vs. Democrats)
Fast Food Favors the GOP
Fast food, overall, appears to be a Republican preference. GOP campaigns spent 18 times more at fast-food establishments compared to Democrats. Former President Donald Trump’s team, for instance, spent $31,000 of the $35,900 that federal candidates spent at McDonald’s, and Chick-fil-A was another GOP favorite, bringing in over $200,000 from Republicans—about 20 times more than Democrats spent.
Diverging Choices in Fast-Casual Dining
Both parties spent similarly on fast-casual spots, though their choices differed. Republicans leaned towards brands like Qdoba and Jimmy John’s, while Democrats preferred Panera, with Biden and Harris campaigns spending over $7,000 there. Other Democratic picks included Capriotti’s and Corner Bakery. (GOP vs. Democrats)
Common Ground: Coffee
Coffee was one thing both sides agreed on. Starbucks led the way, bringing in twice as much as Dunkin’, the next favorite.
American Cuisine and BBQ
“American food” was the largest category for both parties, with $2.8 million spent across such restaurants. Republicans especially favored steakhouses like Ruth’s Chris and LongHorn. BBQ, meanwhile, was particularly popular with Republicans, whose spending nearly doubled that of Democrats in this category.
Ethnic Food Preferences
While both parties enjoyed Brazilian chain Fogo de Chao, Democrats spent significantly more on Mexican, Spanish, and Chinese cuisine than their GOP counterparts.
Geographic Preferences
Location played a big role. Washington, D.C. establishments saw $7.5 million in campaign spending, including nearly $570,000 at the Capital Grille on Pennsylvania Avenue, mostly from Republican campaigns. When staying close to the Capitol, both parties also favored local Italian restaurants.
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