The quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry in the United States remains a dynamic and competitive landscape, with numerous brands vying for consumer attention and dollars. The 2023 QSR 50 report offers a comprehensive look at the performance of the top 50 limited-service restaurant companies in the U.S., based on their system-wide sales for the year 2022. This data provides valuable insights into the leading American Fast Food Restaurants and the evolving trends shaping this sector.
Dominance at the Top: The Leading American Fast Food Chains
At the pinnacle of the american fast food restaurants ranking, McDonald’s continues to reign supreme. With a staggering $48.7 billion in US system-wide sales in 2022, McDonald’s maintains its position as the number one fast food chain. Following McDonald’s, Starbucks secures the second spot with $28.1 billion in sales, showcasing the strength of the snack and coffee category within the american fast food restaurants sector. Chick-fil-A, known for its strong customer loyalty and chicken-centric menu, comes in third with $18.8 billion in sales, demonstrating impressive average sales per unit that surpasses even McDonald’s.
The top 10 list of american fast food restaurants is further populated by familiar names that dominate the fast food landscape. Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Dunkin’, Subway, Burger King, Domino’s, and Chipotle round out the top tier, each contributing significantly to the overall revenue of the american fast food restaurants industry. These brands represent a diverse range of categories, from burgers and tacos to coffee and sandwiches, reflecting the varied tastes and preferences of American consumers.
| 2022 Rank | Company | Category | 2022 US Systemwide Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McDonald’s | Burger | 48734 |
| 2 | Starbucks* | Snack | 28100 |
| 3 | Chick-fil-A* | Chicken | 18814 |
| 4 | Taco Bell | Global | 13850 |
| 5 | Wendy’s | Burger | 11694 |
| 6 | Dunkin’ | Snack | 11279 |
| 7 | Subway* | Sandwich | 10372 |
| 8 | Burger King | Burger | 10278 |
| 9 | Domino’s | Pizza | 8752 |
| 10 | Chipotle | Global | 8600 |
Category Breakdown: Burgers, Chicken, and More in American Fast Food
Analyzing the category breakdown within the top 50 american fast food restaurants reveals interesting trends and category performances. Burger chains maintain a strong presence, with McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Sonic Drive-In, Jack in the Box, Whataburger, Five Guys, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., In-N-Out Burger, Shake Shack, Checkers/Rally’s, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers all featured in the ranking. This highlights the enduring popularity of burgers as a staple in american fast food restaurants.
Chicken american fast food restaurants also demonstrate significant market share and growth. Chick-fil-A, KFC, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Raising Cane’s, Wingstop, Zaxby’s, Bojangles, Church’s Chicken, and El Pollo Loco represent the diverse offerings within the chicken category, from fried chicken to grilled options, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences.
Beyond burgers and chicken, snack and beverage chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Dairy Queen, Dutch Bros, Tropical Smoothie Café, Crumbl Cookies, Krispy Kreme, and Baskin-Robbins showcase the importance of the snack and drink segment in the american fast food restaurants market. These brands often focus on coffee, sweet treats, and refreshing beverages, providing options for different dayparts and occasions.
Pizza american fast food restaurants are also well-represented, with Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Little Caesars, Marco’s Pizza, and Papa Murphy’s securing positions in the top 50. The pizza segment continues to be a significant part of the american fast food restaurants landscape, offering convenient and family-friendly meal options.
Sandwich and deli chains, including Subway, Panera Bread, Arby’s, Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s, Firehouse Subs, and McAlister’s Deli, contribute to the diverse offerings within american fast food restaurants. These brands cater to consumers seeking customizable and convenient sandwich options.
Finally, the “Global” category, encompassing brands like Taco Bell, Chipotle, Panda Express, QDOBA, Del Taco, and Moe’s Southwest Grill, reflects the increasing influence of global flavors in american fast food restaurants. These chains offer Mexican-inspired, Asian-inspired, and other international cuisines, appealing to a broader range of palates and preferences.
Unit Growth and Contraction in American Fast Food
The QSR 50 report also provides insights into unit growth and contraction among american fast food restaurants. While some chains experienced significant unit expansion in 2022, others saw a decrease in their total unit count. Starbucks and Dutch Bros demonstrated substantial unit growth, reflecting their ongoing expansion strategies and popularity. Jersey Mike’s and Wingstop also showed impressive growth in unit numbers, indicating their strong market performance and franchise appeal. Crumbl Cookies experienced the highest percentage growth in units, albeit from a smaller base, showcasing its rapid expansion in the cookie market.
Conversely, some american fast food restaurants experienced a net decrease in units. Subway saw the largest decline in unit count, continuing a trend of contraction for the sandwich giant. Other chains like Church’s Chicken, Papa Murphy’s, and Baskin-Robbins also experienced unit closures, highlighting the challenges and competitive pressures within the american fast food restaurants industry.
| Company | Total Change in Units from 2021 |
|---|---|
| Starbucks | 429 |
| Dutch Bros | 133 |
| Jersey Mike’s | 297 |
| Wingstop | 187 |
| Crumbl Cookies | 363 |
| Subway | -571 |
| Church’s Chicken | -91 |
| Papa Murphy’s | -72 |
| Baskin-Robbins | -54 |
Average Sales Per Unit: A Key Performance Indicator for American Fast Food
Average Sales Per Unit (ASPU) is a critical metric for evaluating the performance and efficiency of american fast food restaurants. Chick-fil-A leads the pack with an impressive ASPU of $6.7 million, significantly higher than any other chain in the top 50. Raising Cane’s also demonstrates strong ASPU, followed by Shake Shack, Whataburger, and Culver’s. These figures indicate the revenue-generating capability of individual restaurant locations for these top-performing american fast food restaurants.
McDonald’s, despite being the sales leader overall, has a lower ASPU compared to Chick-fil-A and other top performers, reflecting the sheer scale of its operations and unit count. However, McDonald’s still maintains a healthy ASPU, contributing to its overall market dominance.
| Company | 2022 Average Sales Per Unit Thousands |
|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A | 6710 |
| Raising Cane’s | 5440 |
| Shake Shack | 3800 |
| Whataburger | 3725 |
| Culver’s | 3280 |
| McDonald’s | 3625 |
Conclusion: The Evolving Landscape of American Fast Food Restaurants
The 2023 QSR 50 report paints a detailed picture of the american fast food restaurants industry in 2022. While established giants like McDonald’s continue to lead in system-wide sales, other brands are demonstrating impressive growth in specific categories and regions. The data underscores the importance of category diversity, with burgers, chicken, snacks, pizza, and global cuisines all playing significant roles in the american fast food restaurants market. Unit growth and ASPU figures highlight the dynamic nature of the industry, with some chains expanding rapidly while others face contraction. Overall, the american fast food restaurants sector remains a vital part of the US economy, constantly adapting to changing consumer preferences and market conditions.
Source: QSR Magazine’s 2023 QSR 50 Report, data sourced in partnership with Circana.
