16 Fast Food Chains With the Best Soups
When you think of the menu items available at fast food restaurants, soup might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, many fast food restaurants offer surprisingly nourishing and delicious soups.
If you’re feeling a little under the weather and need a quick comfort meal, or if it’s a cold winter day and you just need something to warm you up, any of these fast food soups will do the trick.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the fast food chains with the best soups that are worth trying!
16. Tim Hortons: Chili
Tim Hortons is a Canadian restaurant chain best known for its coffee and donuts, but surprisingly, they also sell soup.
There are over 600 Tim Hortons locations in the US, mostly in the northeastern region of the country.
Tim Hortons only sells one kind of soup: chili.
Tim Hortons’ chili is a blend of classic chili ingredients like ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and celery.
Tim Hortons’ chili comes in two sizes: small and regular.
Each size comes with a side of Tim Hortons’ artisan buns and, optionally, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top.
A regular serving of Tim Hortons’ chili is 490 calories and contains 27 grams of fat, 940 milligrams of sodium, and 6 grams of protein.
15. Wendy’s: Chili
Wendy’s is a fast food chain best known for its burgers and Frostys; however, they also serve soup.
There are almost 6,000 Wendy’s locations in the US.
Wendy’s offers only one kind of soup: chili.
Wendy’s chili is a classic take on the soup, made with pinto and kidney beans, ground beef, tomatoes, and various spices.
Wendy’s chili comes in two sizes: small and large.
A small serving is 240 calories and contains 11 grams of fat, 910 milligrams of sodium, and 16 grams of protein.
14. Culver’s: George’s Chili
Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based fast food chain famous for its ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard.
There are almost 900 Culver’s locations in 26 states.
Although Culver’s is best known for its burgers, it has an extensive menu of soups.
However, not all soups are available at all locations, so check in with your local Culver’s to find out what they offer.
One of the best soups at Culver’s is George’s chili, named after the Culver’s founder’s father.
George’s chili is a classic chili con carne, made with homestyle beef, diced tomatoes, red kidney beans, peppers, onion, celery, and a blend of spices that give the soup a medium-spicy kick.
George’s chili only comes in one size.
One serving is 300 calories and contains 13 grams of fat, 1,410 milligrams of sodium, and 17 grams of protein.
13. Culver’s: Potato with Bacon Soup
Another great soup option from Culver’s is their Potato with Bacon Soup.
Culver’s Potato with Bacon Soup is a comforting cream-based soup loaded with bits of potato, carrot, celery, and bacon bits.
Culver’s Potato with Bacon Soup only comes in one size.
One serving is 240 calories and contains 10 grams of fat, 1,140 milligrams of sodium, and 9 grams of protein.
12. Quiznos: Broccoli Cheese Soup
Quiznos is a fast food chain best known for its sandwiches and salads, but they also have soup on the menu.
There are over 175 Quiznos locations in the US.
Quiznos doesn’t offer a ton of soups, but one of the most popular is their broccoli cheese soup.
Quiznos’ broccoli cheese soup is creamy and cheesy, full of little bits of broccoli and carrot.
This soup is available in three sizes: small, regular, and large.
At select locations, you can even get your broccoli cheese soup in a bread bowl!
A regular serving is 220 calories and contains 14 grams of fat, 1,380 milligrams of sodium, and 6 grams of protein.
11. Quiznos: Chicken Noodle Soup
Another favorite soup at Quiznos is their chicken noodle soup.
Quiznos’ chicken noodle soup is traditional, made with a savory broth, noodles, celery, and carrots.
Quiznos’ chicken noodle soup also comes in three sizes: small, regular, and large.
A regular serving is 120 calories and contains 4 grams of fat, 1,400 milligrams of sodium, and 7 grams of protein.
10. Cafe Zupas: Chicken Enchilada Chili
Cafe Zupas is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its soups, salads, and sandwiches.
There are over 50 Cafe Zupas locations in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Cafe Zupas has an extensive soup menu with a variety of delicious options that are sure to suit anyone’s preferences.
One of the best soups at Cafe Zupas is the chicken enchilada chili.
Cafe Zupas’ chicken enchilada chili is made with red and green enchilada sauce, cheddar cheese, corn tortillas, Roma tomatoes, black beans, fire-roasted corn, cumin, and grilled chicken.
Optionally, you can add crispy tortilla strips on top for an extra bit of crunch.
Cafe Zupas’ chicken enchilada chili comes in two sizes: half and large.
A large order is 360 calories and contains 23 grams of fat, 1,820 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
9. Cafe Zupas: New England Clam Chowder
Another favorite Cafe Zupas soup is their New England clam chowder.
Cafe Zupas’ New England clam chowder is made with red-skinned potatoes, ocean clams, green peppers, onion, celery, herbs, and spices in a creamy broth.
For a little extra flavor and crunch, you can order your New England clam chowder with applewood-smoked bacon bits on top.
Cafe Zupas’ New England clam chowder comes in two sizes: half and large.
A large order is 740 calories and contains 70 grams of fat, 3,090 milligrams of sodium, and 7 grams of protein.
8. Chick-fil-A: Chicken Noodle Soup
Chick-fil-A is a fast food chain famous for its chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and waffle fries, but they also make soup.
There are nearly 3,000 Chick-fil-A locations in 47 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Chick-fil-A only sells one kind of soup, and naturally, it’s chicken noodle soup.
Chick-fil-A’s chicken noodle soup is made from shredded chicken breast, chopped carrots, celery, and egg noodles in a hearty, savory broth.
In addition, the soup is served with saltine crackers for a little extra bit of crunch.
Chick-fil-A’s chicken noodle soup comes in two sizes: cup and bowl.
A bowl is 280 calories and contains 6 grams of fat and 17 grams of protein.
7. Zoup!: Lobster Bisque
Zoup! is a Michigan-based fast-casual restaurant chain that serves delicious, soulful, and authentic soups, salads, and sandwiches.
There are 12 Zoup! locations in Ohio and Michigan.
Zoup’s menu features a ton of different soups, with plenty of options for all tastes and preferences.
One of the most delicious soups at Zoup! is their lobster bisque.
Zoup’s lobster bisque is made from real cream, lobster, crayfish, butter, and just a hint of sherry.
Zoup’s lobster bisque comes in two sizes: cup and bowl.
Each size comes served with a delicious hunk of fresh-baked bread.
A bowl is 620 calories and contains 44 grams of fat, 1,840 milligrams of sodium, and 20 grams of protein.
6. Zoup!: Chicken Potpie Soup
Another great option from Zoup! is their chicken potpie soup.
Zoup’s chicken potpie soup is a creamy chicken soup full of mixed vegetables served with a garnish of crumbled pie crust on top.
Like all Zoup’s other soups, the chicken potpie soup is available in two sizes: cup and bowl.
A bowl is 640 calories and contains 28 grams of fat, 1,940 milligrams of sodium, and 28 grams of protein.
5. El Pollo Loco: Homemade Tortilla Soup
El Pollo Loco is a fast food chain famous for its signature Mexican-style fire-grilled chicken.
There are over 480 El Pollo Loco locations in the US.
There is only one kind of soup on the El Pollo Loco menu: the homemade tortilla soup.
El Pollo Loco’s homemade tortilla soup is truly delicious and made with their signature grilled chicken, loaded with vegetables, and topped with crispy tortilla strips.
El Pollo Loco’s homemade tortilla soup comes in two sizes: small and large.
A large serving is 450 calories and contains 17 grams of fat, 1,890 milligrams of sodium, and 42 grams of protein.
4. Potbelly: Garden Vegetable Soup
Potbelly is a Midwest-based fast-casual restaurant chain famous for its sandwiches and milkshakes, although they also serve a variety of soups.
There are over 400 Potbelly locations in 31 states, plus Washington DC.
Potbelly offers a variety of soups on the menu, but one of the best is the garden vegetable soup.
Potbelly’s garden vegetable soup is made with a light tomato broth and contains many different vegetables, including beans, carrots, celery, corn, mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes, and zucchini.
Potbelly’s garden vegetable soup comes in two sizes: cup and bowl.
A bowl is 110 calories and contains 0 grams of fat, 1,200 milligrams of sodium, and 4 grams of protein.
3. Potbelly: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Another favorite soup at Potbelly is the chicken pot pie soup.
Potbelly’s chicken pot pie soup is made from slow-roasted chicken breast and a variety of veggies topped with crumbles of freshly baked pie crust.
Like all their other soups, Potbelly’s chicken pot pie soup comes in two sizes: cup and bowl.
A bowl is 420 calories and contains 29 grams of fat, 1,110 milligrams of sodium, and 12 grams of protein.
2. Panera Bread: Creamy Tomato Soup
Panera Bread is one of the most popular bakery and cafe chains in the US, beloved for its wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups.
There are over 2,000 Panera Bread locations in the US.
Panera offers a wide range of soups on the menu, and one of their fan-favorite soups is the creamy tomato soup.
Panera’s creamy tomato soup is made from vine-ripened pear tomatoes and fresh cream, spiced with red pepper and oregano, then topped with black pepper focaccia croutons.
Panera’s creamy tomato soup comes in two sizes: cup and bowl.
Alternatively, you can order your creamy tomato soup in one of Panera’s signature bread bowls.
In addition, all sizes of creamy tomato soup come with a side of French baguette, apple, or potato chips.
A bowl of Panera creamy tomato soup is 350 calories and contains 21 grams of fat, 1,100 milligrams of sodium, and 5 grams of protein.
1. Panera Bread: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Another one of the most popular soups at Panera Bread is their iconic broccoli cheddar soup.
This delicious soup is made from chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, and spices simmered in a velvety cheddar soup.
Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup is available in two sizes, cup and bowl, as well as in a bread bowl.
Like all of Panera’s soups, you’ll get to choose from a side of French baguette, apple, or potato chips when you order it.
A bowl of Panera broccoli cheddar soup is 370 calories and contains 24 grams of fat, 1,470 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
Conclusion
You might not expect to find good soup options at a fast food restaurant, but these chains on our list all offer surprisingly delicious, convenient, and affordable soups!
If you’re craving something warmer and more comforting than your standard burger and fries, any one of these fast food soups is sure to satisfy you.
