There are certain restaurants that just seem to be ubiquitous with American life, and many of those beloved eateries that people tend to frequent also happen to be chain restaurants. Inevitably, many of America’s favorite chain restaurants have made their way to other nations and now they’re some of the biggest restaurant brands in the entire world- but still known for their brands and cuisines which were all respectively born and bred in the good ol’ USA.
Whether the success of the largest and most popular restaurant chains in the USA is because of convenience, choice, or a combination of both- that is up for you to decide.
However, regardless, according to data from Restaurant Business Online and Technomic*- it’s estimated that the USA’s restaurant chains have risen to become large enough to comprise at least HALF of the more than $500 Billion Dollars spent at restaurants across the USA each year. Even more than some may realize, the impact of chain restaurants is pretty significant when you consider how many independent restaurant operators are out competing against relative giants.
So, have you ever wondered what are some of the biggest restaurant chains in America? Odds are pretty high that you have eaten at one or more of these locations recently, and perhaps a lot more than that. Unsurprisingly, the list is dominated by “quick service,” aka “fast food” brands that have become behemoths not just in the USA but globally.
Now, read on to learn about the 15 largest and most popular restaurant chains in the USA.
The 15 Most Popular Restaurant Chains In The USA
1. McDonald’s
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/
Year Founded: 1955
CEO: Chris Kempczinski
Approximate Yearly Global Revenue*: $23.22 Billion USD
Estimated (USA-only) Gross Sales:
USA Locations: 13, 438+
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Burgers
Global Locations: 38,000+
Employees: 200,000+
Ownership: Publicly Traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Stock Ticker Symbol- MCD
2. Starbucks
Website: https://www.starbucks.com/
Year Founded: 1971
CEO: Laxman Narasimhan
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $32.25 Billion USD
USA Locations: 15,450
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Coffee Cafe
Global Locations: 33,833+
Employees: 402,000+
Ownership: Publicly Traded on the Nasdaq Exchange (NASDAQ), Stock Ticker Symbol- SBUX
3. Chick-fil-a
Website: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/
Year Founded: 1946
CEO: S. Truett Cathy
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $11.3 Billion USD
USA Locations: 2,909
Main Business Segment/Category:
Employees: 35,000+
Ownership: Privately Held Company
4. Taco Bell
Website: https://www.tacobell.com/
Year Founded: 1962
CEO: Mark King
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $13.28 Billion USD
Global Locations: 7,772
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Tacos
Employees: 175,000
Ownership: Subsidiary of Yum! Brands, traded on NYSE, Stock Ticker Symbol: YUM
5. Wendy’s
Website: https://www.wendys.com/
Year Founded: 1969
CEO: Todd A. Penegor
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $2.1 Billion USD
USA Locations: 5,994
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Burgers
Global Locations: 6,500
Employees: 14,500+
Ownership: Publicly Traded on the NASDAQ, Stock Ticker Symbol- WEN
6. Dunkin
Website: https://www.dunkindonuts.com/
Year Founded: 1950
CEO: Dave Hoffmann
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $1.4 Billion USD
USA Locations: 8,500
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Coffee Cafe
Global Locations: 11,300
Employees: 270,000
Ownership: Privately Held Company- Subsidiary of Inspire Brands
7. Burger King
Website: https://www.burgerking.com/
Year Founded: 1954
CEO: Joshua Kobza
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $1.9 Billion USD
USA Locations: 7,257
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Burgers
Global Locations: 18, 700
Employees: 34,248
Ownership: Subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc., Publicly Traded Via NYSE: QSR
8. Subway
Website: https://www.subway.com/
Year Founded: 1965
CEO: John Chidsey
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $10 Billion USD
USA Locations: 20,640+
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Sandwiches
Global Locations: 37,000+
Employees: 410,000 (including franchises)
Ownership: Privately Held Company
9. Domino’s
Website: https://www.dominos.com/
Year Founded: 1960
CEO: Russell J. Weiner
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $4.53 Billion USD
USA Locations: 6,400+
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Pizza
Global Locations: 19,800+
Employees: 14,400+
Ownership: Publicly Traded On The NYSE, Ticker Symbol- DPZ
10. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Website: https://www.chipotle.com/
Year Founded: 1993
CEO: Brian Niccol
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $8.6 Billion USD
Total Locations: 3,160+
Main Business Segment/Category: Fast Casual, Mexican
Employees: 104,000+
Ownership: Publicly Traded Via NYSE, Stock Ticker Symbol- CMG
11. Sonic Drive-In
Website: https://www.sonicdrivein.com/
Year Founded: 1953
CEO: J. Clifford Hudson
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $5.8 Billion USD+
Total Locations: 3,545
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Burgers
Employees: 5,000
Ownership: Privately Held Company, Subsidiary of Inspire Brands
12. Panera Bread
Website: https://www.panerabread.com/
Year Founded: 1987
CEO: Niren Chaudhary
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $5.795 Billion USD
Total Locations: 2,000
Main Business Segment/Category: Fast Casual, Sandwich
Employees: 140,000
Ownership: Privately Held Company, Subsidiary of JAB Holding Co
13. Pizza Hut
Website: https://www.pizzahut.com/
Year Founded: 1958
CEO: Aaron Powell
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $5.5 Billion USD
USA Locations: 6,800+
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Pizza
Global Locations: 19,000+
Employees: 350,000
Ownership: Subsidiary of NYSE Publicly Traded Yum! Brands, Stock Ticker Symbol- YUM
14. KFC
Website: https://www.kfc.com/
Year Founded: 1952
CEO: Sabir Sami
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $6.6 Billion USD
USA Locations: 3,892
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Fried Chicken
Global Locations: 25,000
Employees: 820,000
Ownership: Subsidiary of NYSE Publicly Traded Yum! Brands, Stock Ticker Symbol- YUM
15. Popeyes
Website: https://www.popeyes.com/
Year Founded: 1972
CEO: Cheryl A. Bachelder
Approximate Yearly Sales*: $5.5 Billion USD+
USA Locations: 2,936
Main Business Segment/Category: Quick Service, Fried Chicken
Global Locations: 3,700+
Employees: 5,700+
Ownership: Subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc., Publicly Traded Via NYSE: QSR
Wow, that’s a lot of food, a lot of money, and a lot of restaurants to think about.
Of course, even though all data is assumed to be accurate as of April 2023 and all information has obtained from independent and trustworthy online sources- regardless, it’s always a smart idea to do your own research if you want to learn more about something. Also, please note that all information in this article is provided solely for informational, entertainment, and educational purposes. FlowerFieldz is not currently a paid partner or promoter of any of the brands mentioned, we are not receiving compensation for these brand mentions, and each respective brand owns their own intellectual property and trademarks. Anyway, now that you know more about the largest restaurant chains in the USA, perhaps you’re ready to go out and get some food… or maybe you’re eating something on the list while reading this article?
Keep reading our blog, keep eating, and stay tuned for more updates as we approach the official launch of FlowerFieldz– The AI Super App, launching summer 2023.
That’s a lot to digest, but, now that you’re through this article- is anyone hungry?
