Most popular fast food chains in the US generated nearly $400 BILLION in sales last year
The United States’ biggest fast food chains generated some $400 billion in 2021 with one major chain amassing a whopping $46 billion alone.
New data shared by Quick Service Restaurant Magazine found that the top fast-food chains in the US include quick-eats like Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Dunkin’.
The most popular fast-food chain in the country has just over 13,000 locations around the country and opened in 1940, with its first franchise opening in 1955.
Additionally, the chain has found immense commercial success around the world and currently maintains a presence in more than 100 nations.
Do you think you know which chain it is? Keep scrolling to find out if you’re right.
Chicck-Fil-A is one of the most popular fast food chains on the list.
Starbucks also made the top 10 list in the new research data.
At the bottom of the list, ranking at #50 was White Castle which brought in some $615 million.
These are the top 10 fast food chains in the US by a breakdown of profits in 2021
Top 10 Fast Food Chains
1. McDonald’s – $46 billion
2. Starbuck’s – $24.3 billion
3. Chick-fil-A – $16.7 billion
4. Taco Bell – $12.6 billion
5. Wendy’s – $11.1 billion
6. Dunkin’ – $10.4 billion
7. Burger King – $10.0 billion
8. Subway – $9.4 billion
9. Domino’s – $8.6 billion
10. Chipotle – $7.5 billion
bottom 10 chains
1. White Castle – $615 million
2. Moe’s – $661 million
3. Baskin-Robins – $686 million
4. Tim Horton’s – $687 million
5. Freddy’s Custard – $759 million
6. Shake Shack – $775 million
7. Church’s Chicken – $776 million
8. Papa Murphy’s – $809 million
9. Qdoba = $835 million
10. McAlister’s Deli – $869 million
If your best guess was McDonald’s then you were right.
McDonald’s which came in at number one on the top 50 list has a sizable number of locations across the country, with more than 12,000 franchised stores.
The report also states the iconic burger joint owns and operates just under 1,000 stores of its own.
In second place behind McDonald’s on the list is Starbucks, which made just over $24 billion in 2021.
Starbucks and Dunkin’ both also made the top 10 list in profits with Dunkin’ ranking at #6 and bringing in $10.4 billion.
The second most profitable food chain, however, is Chick-Fil-A which ranked third on he list overall.
Despite operating less than 3,000 locations nationwide, the company reports a massive $16.7 billion in sales in 2021 from their beloved chicken products.
Finishing out the top ten list is Taco Bell at #4 ($12.6B), Wendy’s at #5 ($11.1B), Burger King at #7 ($10B), Subway at #8 ($9.4B), Domino’s at #9 ( $8.6B), and Chipotle at #10 ($7.5B).
At the bottom of the list, ranking at #50 was White Castle which brought in some $615 million, alongside Moe’s and Baskin Robins.
The list of overall sales aligns somewhat closely with the ranking of which fast-food restaurants currently operate the most franchised locations, with one major exception.
A breakdown of fast food chains in the United States by profits
The most popular fast-food chain in the country, unsurprisingly, was McDonald’s with nearly $50 billion in profits in 2021.
Chipotle, which ranked at #10 on the most sales list, took spot #16 on number of locations with a measly 3,100 stores across the US.
These are the top fast food chains by number of locations nationwide
The most franchised fast-food location in the United States is Subway.
The sandwich shop known for offering healthier options has more than 20,000 stores nationwide.
Just behind Subway is Starbucks at 15,966 stores, then McDonald’s at 13,515, and Dunkin’ with just under 10,000.
Hunt Brothers Pizza – which operated mostly in the Midwest and the South – comes in just under Dunkin’ at 9,240 locations.
Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Wendy’s, and Dairy Queen all trail the top five fast-food chains with number of stores ranging from 8,000 to 4,300.
Chipotle, which ranked at #10 on the most sales list, took spot #16 on number of locations with a measly 3,100 stores across the US.