15 Largest, Most Popular and Successful Fast Food Chains In The World

A quick look at the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world will show just how rapidly the industry is growing worldwide. Fast food chains are mushrooming everywhere – exits on the highway, food courts at the mall, inside Walmart’s, around cities, and at airports. According to Statista, the U.S fast food industry itself is expected to be worth $220 billion by 2020.

It is widely believed that White Castle was the first fast-food chain, starting out in the early 1920’s, and that it played an important role in the development of fast food. Today there are a large number of domestic and global household brand names. Burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, fries, and Mexican food are the highest-selling fast food items. Fast food and fast casual restaurants together make up the Quick Service Restaurants industry, or QSR as it is popularly known. QSRs account for more than 50% of the restaurant industry’s sales.

For more fast food related reading, check out our list of the 11 Most Successful Fast Food Chains in The World.

Driven by changing consumer tastes and successful business trends, the fast food industry has evolved over time both in terms of their concepts and food choices. People flock towards fast food because of its taste, price, and quality. There is, therefore, increasing competition between fast food chains to offer the best, most affordable and crave-satisfying treats to their customers.

There has been a growing shift towards healthy eating habits, which has become a major threat to the fast food industry in recent times. Hence many of the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world are regularly updating their menus to include more healthy eating options. The concept of “healthy fast food” is rapidly catching on and becoming the norm. Major chains across the world have begun to source/upgrade to fresher ingredients with fewer additives. These fast food chains also tailor their menus towards regional tastes.

Over the next few pages, you can read about the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world, based on the common choices of at least three of these websites – Forbes, WorldAtlas and QSR. We have then ranked the each chain based on its number of locations worldwide.

Head to the next page to begin the list!

15. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)

No. of locations – 2,000+

Comparatively younger than its peers, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) started out in 1993 selling tacos and burritos. Chipotle is considered a fast casual restaurant, meaning it offers the convenience of a fast food chain in a casual sit-down restaurant setting. At one point in time in the early 2000’s, McDonalds’ was Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)’s largest investor, until it fully divested itself in 2006.

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14. Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)

No. of locations – 5,000+

Starting in a broom closet in Jeffersonville, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) has now expanded to more than 5,000 locations in 45 countries and territories worldwide. The company is committed to making and serving “better pizza” with “better ingredients”. Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA)’s various initiatives, such as digital platform enhancements and Pan Pizza, have helped the company boost its sales in recent years.

13. Hardee’s

No. of locations – 5,800+

Hardee’s was established in 1960 and according to its website, is the pioneer of the great American burger. Hardee’s is famous for its charbroiled burgers. It is a subsidiary of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. and operates more than 5,800 outlets in 40 states and 10 foreign countries. The food company specializes in burgers, fries and milkshakes.

12. Dairy Queen

No. of locations – 6,000+

Dairy Queen has been serving ice cream and other fast food items like hot dogs, burgers, and salads since 1940. The food chain is owned by International Dairy Queen, Inc., a subsidiary of Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway. Today, DQ is one of the largest fast food chains in the world, with more than 6,000 restaurants in the U.S, Canada and 18 other countries.

11. The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN)

No. of locations – 6,500

Next up on our list of the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world is The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN), the third-largest hamburger company in the world with more than 6,500 restaurants in the U.S and 29 other countries. Wendy’s is re-energizing its brand with bold restaurant designs and innovative menu items. The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) follows the farm-to-table model, which focuses on serving local and fresh produce directly procured from producers.

10. Taco Bell

No. of locations – 7,000

Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), the restaurant division spun off by PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) in 1997. Taco Bell is a fast food chain that sells Tex-Mex foods. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and other specialty items to more than 2 billion people each year at its 7,000 restaurants.

9. Hunt Brothers Pizza

No. of locations – 7,300+

Hunt Brothers Pizza was founded by four brothers in 1962. Today it has a presence in more than 7,300 locations in 28 states, which serve pizza, cheesy bread, wings, and more. Hunt Brothers Pizza is also one of the nation’s largest made-to-order pizza brands in the convenience store industry.

8. Dunkin’ Donuts

No. of locations – 12,000+

Dunkin’ Donuts has a presence in 36 countries worldwide, serving more than 900 million donuts and 1.5 billion cups of coffee a year globally. It is one of the world’s leading coffee and baked goods chains. The food chain is owned by Dunkin Brands Group Inc. (NASDAQ:DNKN) and sells baked goods, coffee, sandwiches, and other specialty drinks.

7. Domino’s Pizza, Inc (NYSE:DPZ)

No. of locations – 14,200

Domino’s Pizza, Inc (NYSE:DPZ) ranks seventh on the list of the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world, being one of the largest pizza franchises in the world. It operates a network of company-owned and franchise-owned stores in the U.S and over 85 international markets. Domino’s Pizza operates over 5,000 stores outside of the U.S and over 14,000 total. The franchise business model has contributed towards Domino’s Pizza, Inc (NYSE:DPZ) becoming one of the largest and globally recognized pizza companies in the world. It sells more than 500 million pizzas worldwide every year.

6. Burger King

No. of locations – 15,700+

Burger King is known for its hamburgers, being in business for more than five decades now. Burger King was bought by Jorge Paulo Lemann‘s 3G Capital in 2010 and later merged with Canadian doughnut and coffee company Tim Hortons. Today, Burger King operates as a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR) which is one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies. The restaurant entertains more than 11 million guests worldwide on a daily basis. The Whopper is Burger King’s signature product amongst the food chain’s large and diverse menu. Burger King has more than 15,700 outlets in 100 countries with nearly 50% of them being in the U.S.

5. Pizza Hut

No. of locations – 16,000+

Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM). With more than 55 years of experience, the company is best known for its pizzas and pasta. Pizza Hut was rebranded around 2014 in an effort to boost sales, by introducing new food items and specialty pizzas. Today, Pizza Hut is the largest pizza franchise in the world. Some of its hot selling pizzas are hand-tossed, stuffed crust, thin ‘n crispy pizzas, and more.

4. KFC

No. of locations – 20,500

Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC as it is popularly called, is the world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain with over 20,500 outlets in more than 125 countries and territories. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, KFC is amongst the largest restaurant chains in the world. KFC has been in operation since the 1930’s and became a subsidiary of Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) in 1997. KFC sells a wide range of chicken, sandwiches, burgers, boxed meals, desserts, and drinks. KFC is best known for its pressure fried chicken pieces, seasoned with Colonel Sanders’ recipe of 11 herbs and spices.

3. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)

No. of locations – 24,000

Starting out as a roaster and retailer of coffee with a single store in Seattle, in 1971, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)’s network has grown to more than 24,000 retail stores in 70 countries. Starbucks offers a range of products including over 30 blends and single-origin premium coffees, handcrafted beverages, merchandise, and fresh food. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has an extensive brand portfolio consisting of Starbucks Coffee, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Teavana, Tazo, Evolution Fresh, La Boulange, Ethos Water, and Torrefazione Italia Coffee.

2. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

No. of locations – 37,000

Next up on the list of the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world is McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD), a leading global food service company having a presence in more than 100 countries. The company is a well-known brand name and is trusted worldwide for the food it serves. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is in a good position to benefit from its size and scale in retaining its huge customer base by luring them with attractive offers and meal combos. More than 80% of its restaurants are operated and owned by franchisees. McDonalds reported worldwide sales of more than $24 billion for the year ended December 2016.

1. Subway

No. of locations – 44,000

Subway started out as a submarine sandwich shop way back in 1965. Today, the Subway brand is the largest sandwich chain, known for its fresh, made-to-order sandwiches. Subway has already removed trans-fat from its sandwiches starting in 2008 and is now committed to removing all artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from its food menu. With a presence in more than 44,000 locations worldwide, Subway ranks tops on our list of the 15 largest, most popular and successful fast food chains in the world.

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