Cheese can elevate a basic sandwich or burger into something crave-worthy – especially when it's made with minimal ingredients and little processing. Whether it's rich cheddar, mellow Swiss, or creamy Pepper Jack, real cheese adds irresistible flavor and texture. While some menu items call for processed cheese like American, there's no substitute for the real thing. These seven fast-food chains are known for using real cheese in their menu items.

1. Wendy’s

Wendy’s incorporates real cheese in several of its offerings, including the Spicy Asiago Ranch Chicken Club, which features Asiago cheese. 'Over the years, we’ve used smoked gouda, blue cheese, asiago and feta on hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and salads. Fresh mozzarella is the latest evolution of delivering fresh cheese to customers,' the company said when they launched the BelGioioso cheese on their menu in 2017.

2. Chick-fil-A

At Chick-fil-A, sandwiches like the Spicy Deluxe come topped with real Pepper Jack cheese. 'Spicy deluxe is truly one of the best things in life' one fan said. Another commented: 'I always get their spicy chicken with pepper jack cheese. It’s a good combination.'

3. Shake Shack

Shake Shack uses real cheese on items such as the Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles, which includes Pepper Jack. 'Carolina bbq burger is the best thing we have right now by far and it’s a limited time menu item so it’ll be gone soon,' one Redditor said.

4. Freddy’s

Freddy’s features real Swiss cheese on the Prime Rib Steakburger, and customers rave about the quality. 'My favorite fast food burger…and their fries are also top notch,' one happy customer said. 'The best onion rings you can get via drive thru,' another shared.

5. Burger King

Burger King uses real Swiss cheese on its Bacon Swiss Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich. 'It’s one of the best non-Whopper items on the menu' one fan says. 'Prefer it in Fiery form but the bacon/swiss one is good, too. And the crispy wraps are worth a try, too. Honey Mustard is the best of the 3, IMO.'

6. Popeyes

Popeyes includes Havarti cheese in the Classic Bacon & Cheese Chicken Sandwich, appreciated for how well it melts. 'Bacon, cheese and extra pickles is amazing,' one Redditor said.

7. Carl’s Jr.

Carl’s Jr. uses Pepper Jack on items like the Queso Crunch Burger. Paz Romero, vice president of brand marketing at Carl’s Jr, said: 'Our guests seek out indulgent menu items and Carl’s Jr. is known for our creative burgers and innovative flavors.' He added: 'Living up to guest expectations, we combined warm, creamy queso with our delicious, charbroiled burger patty for the perfect pairing.'