A North Carolina-based restaurant chain was named the best for fast-food breakfast by USA TODAY. But there's only one place you get it within the Wilmington area.
USA TODAY 10BEST rankings are selected by readers and editors to create a consensus top 10 list. Recently, they came together for the 2026 fast food breakfast rankings.
The top spot was claimed by a chain based in North Carolina. No, it wasn't Bojangles -- although that N.C. staple did find its own place on the list.
Instead, Biscuitville, the fast-food biscuit chain based in Greensboro, was ranked No. 1.
Where to get the best fast-food breakfast
Biscuitville has 85 locations scattered all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
But until recently,
the Wilmington area was pretty much a Biscuitville dead zone.
A Biscuitville location finally opened in Shallotte on Feb. 23, 2026. It's located at 4425 Main St. The location, which has a dual-lane drive-thru, is open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. It also features the chain's signature "biscuit window," where customers can watch biscuits being made.
According to the company website, biscuits are baked every 15 minutes.
The company also purchased property at the corner of Long Beach Road and N.C. 211 near Southport. Similar to the Shallotte location, plans show the restaurant at 2,872 square feet with an interior seat count of 56, a dual-lane drive-thru and 30 parking spaces.
The Biscuitville website states that the Southport location is expected to open in winter 2027.
Other NC spots shine
While Biscuitville topped the list, it wasn't the only North Carolina-based chain that made it.
Bojangles, a southern staple with its own share of biscuit fame, was ranked No. 8. Bojangles was founded and is still headquartered in Charlotte. Bojangles has a heavy presence around Wilmington -- much more so than Biscuitville does -- with over 10 locations in the metro area.
Finally, Hardees took the 9th spot. The fast-food chain, which also has a biscuit-based breakfast menu, was founded in Greenville, North Carolina.
See the full list
Here is USA TODAY 10BEST's full list of the best fast-food breakfast restaurants.
10. Whataburger
9. Hardee's
8. Bojangles
7. Wendy's
6. Burger King
5. Chick-fil-A
4. McDonald's
3. Del Taco
2. Farmer Boys
1. Biscuitville
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC-based chain named best for breakfast. There's only one near Wilmington
