Americans Eat 17 Pounds of Fries a Year (And Still Want More)

If your 9-to-5 has you feeling fried, maybe it’s time to lean in and treat yourself to something fried—because apparently, you’ve earned it. Last Friday was National French Fry Day, and it turns out America’s love affair with fries is alive, well, and deeply seasoned.

According to a new report, the average American eats a whopping 17 pounds of fries each year. If you think that sounds suspiciously low, you’re not alone—either you’re a superfan, or you’re unknowingly carrying the weight for someone out there who’s not pulling their fry-eating weight.

Collectively, the U.S. downs at least 5.6 billion pounds of fries annually. That’s reportedly enough to fill over 155,000 school buses, although who decided that’s the go-to unit of measurement remains a mystery.

Virginia tops the list as the most fry-obsessed state, with the average Virginian putting away more than 21 pounds a year. Alabama, Georgia, and Maryland also ranked high, making the South a real stronghold for spuds.

When it comes to style, most of the country (28 states) prefers the classic straight-cut and seasoned variety. But there’s regional drama in the fry world:

• Shoestring fries are the top pick in Hawaii, New Hampshire, Michigan, Maine, and Texas.
• Curly fries rule in Alaska, Kansas, Connecticut, and Oklahoma.
• Crinkle-cut is the go-to in Nebraska, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
• Waffle fries? They only have one loyal state: Colorado. (We see you, Chick-fil-A fans.)

And if you think fries are just a side dish, think again. A solid 63% of Americans say fries can totally stand on their own as a main meal. (Honestly, who among us hasn’t just eaten a tray of fries and called it dinner?)

Salt is still the reigning seasoning champ, followed by garlic powder, but some fry lovers are getting creative with Parmesan, Old Bay, paprika, and cayenne. Top dips include the classics: ketchup, ranch, and cheese sauce.

The social dynamics of fry-sharing are… complicated. While 77% say they’d share their fries with a group, 65% admit to straight-up stealing fries from someone else’s plate. So next time you’re out with friends, guard your fries accordingly.