Continue to Site

America’s 25 Most Lucrative Fast-Food Chains

From McDonald’s to Chick-fil-A, see where the top brands rank.

QSR Slideshow

Share:

Tweet Facebook LinkedIn Email

When it comes to total sales, nobody holds a candle to McDonald’s. The fast-food behemoth, in 2017, reported $37,480.67 (in millions) across its 14,000 domestic units—more than double its nearest competitor. That’s just one of the eye-opening reminders found on this year’s QSR 50, which annually breaks down the quick-service landscape according to its most-telling metrics: Unit count, sales, average-unit volume, and more.

Here’s a look at where the top-earning restaurants in America stack up by total systemwide sales.

Note: These figures reflect end of year fiscal 2017 results.

Image credits:McDonald’s

1. McDonald’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $37,480.67

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,670.32

Unit count: 14,036

Franchised stores: 13,194

Company stores: 842

Total change in units from 2016: –119

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:McDonald’s

2. Starbucks

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $13,167.61

Average sales per unit (thousands): $945.27

Unit count: 13,930

Franchised stores: 5,708

Company stores: 8,222

Total change in units from 2016: 758

Read more in the QSR 50 here .

Image credits:Starbucks

3. Subway

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,800.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $416.86

Unit count: 25,908

Franchised stores: 25,908

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2016: –866

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Subway

4. Burger King

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,028.32

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,387.81

Unit count: 7,226

Franchised stores: 7,176

Company stores: 50

Total change in units from 2016: 70

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

5. Taco Bell

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,790.15

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,500.00

Unit count: 6,446

Franchised stores: 5,799

Company stores: 647

Total change in units from 2016: 168

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Taco Bell

6. Wendy’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,288.09

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,610.00

Unit count: 5,769

Franchised stores: 5,432

Company stores: 337

Total change in units from 2016: 30

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Wendy’s

7. Dunkin’ Donuts

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,192.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $733.13

Unit count: 12,538

Franchised stores: 12,538

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2016: 280

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Dunkin’ Donuts

8. Chick-fil-A

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,000.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,090.90

Unit count: 2,225

Franchised stores: 1,882

Company stores: 343

Total change in units from 2016: 140

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chick-fil-A

9. Domino’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,900.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,000.00

Unit count: 5,587

Franchised stores: 5,195

Company stores: 392

Total change in units from 2016: 216

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Domino’s

10. Pizza Hut

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,510.84

Average sales per unit (thousands): $900.00

Unit count: 7,522

Franchised stores: 7,426

Company stores: 96

Total change in units from 2016: –167

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Pizza Hut

11. Panera

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,503.64

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,693.90

Unit count: 2,043

Franchised stores: 1,112

Company stores: 931

Total change in units from 2016: 43

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

12. Chipotle

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,476.41

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,940.00

Unit count: 2,371

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2,371

Total change in units from 2016: 173

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chipotle

13. KFC

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,417.05

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,200.00

Unit count: 4,109

Franchised stores: 4,055

Company stores: 54

Total change in units from 2016: –58

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:KFC

14. Sonic Drive-In

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,408.16

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,250.00

Unit count: 3,593

Franchised stores: 3,365

Company stores: 228

Total change in units from 2016: 66

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

15. Dairy Queen

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,640.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,269.75

Unit count: 4,455

Franchised stores: 4,453

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2016: –62

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Dairy Queen

16. Arby’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,634.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,130.00

Unit count: 3,415

Franchised stores: 2,340

Company stores: 1,075

Total change in units from 2016: 57

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Arby’s

17. Little Caesars

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,530.58

Average sales per unit (thousands): $815.00

Unit count: 4,332

Franchised stores: 3,797

Company stores: 535

Total change in units from 2016: 8

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

18. Jack in the Box

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,469.17

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,543.00

Unit count: 2,251

Franchised stores: 1,975

Company stores: 276

Total change in units from 2016: –4

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Thomas Hawk

19. Popeyes

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,213.06

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,440.19

Unit count: 2,231

Franchised stores: 2,178

Company stores: 53

Total change in units from 2016: 147

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

20. Papa John’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,209.30

Average sales per unit (thousands): $968.45

Unit count: 3,314

Franchised stores: 2,606

Company stores: 708

Total change in units from 2016: –127

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Mr. Blue MauMau

21. Panda Express

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,114.80

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,641.00

Unit count: 2,011

Franchised stores: 113

Company stores: 1,898

Total change in units from 2016: 118

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Panda Express

22. Whataburger

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2278.62

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,775.43

Unit count: 821

Franchised stores: 124

Company stores: 697

Total change in units from 2016: 15

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Whataburger

23. Hardee’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,168.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,164.00

Unit count: 1,864

Franchised stores: 1,745

Company stores: 119

Total change in units from 2016: 16

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Hardee’s

24. Jimmy John’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,139.62

Average sales per unit (thousands): $796.97

Unit count: 2,755

Franchised stores: 2,700

Company stores: 55

Total change in units from 2016: 108

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Jimmy John’s

25. Zaxby’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,091.50

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,350.00

Unit count: 890

Franchised stores: 890

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2016: 74

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Zaxby’s

QSR Staff

QSR Uncut

Should Your Restaurant Try Influencer Marketing?

Listen to the Episode

You might also like...

PJ’s Coffee to Open in Katy, Texas

PJ’s Coffee is expanding a true taste of New Orleans in the City of Katy with its second location in the area at 1185 Katy Fort Bend Road beginning Monday, May 6. Right off I-10 and down the street from Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, to celebrate with the community, PJ’s will offer guests a free beignet […]

Subway prototype.

Subway’s Unit Count Takes Another Large Hit

Ethan is a passionate storyteller who is currently studying Film Production at Chapman University. He was awarded a $25,000 Live Más Scholarship and hopes his continued education in filmmaking will allow him to share transformative stories to unite people.

Taco Bell Foundation Awarding $10M in Live Más Scholarships

KFC and Life is Good Partner on Merch Line

Life is Good, the original positive lifestyle brand, is teaming up with KFC, the original fried chicken brand, to create a limited-edition capsule collection, available on KFCShop.com and lifeisgood.com starting Thursday. The line will unite the iconic branding of the world-famous chicken chain with Life is Good’s signature uplifting designs, all delivered on the high-quality […]

Toppers Pizza Opens in Watertown, Wisconsin

Toppers Pizza is expanding throughout Wisconsin with a new restaurant at 1602 S. Church Street in Watertown. Opening on Thursday, April 25, the new Toppers is located near the Watertown Municipal Airport next to Cricket Wireless and Great Clips. It’s the first Toppers store owned by franchisees Ahmad Khadeejeh and Mahmoud Rayyan. Toppers will celebrate its Watertown […]

Taco John’s to Offer Free Taco Bravo Option on Cinco de Mayo

Taco John’s Bigger Bolder Rewards Members get a free beef Taco Bravo with any purchase of $5 or more on May 5. The Taco Bravo elevates the classic Crispy Taco by wrapping it inside a warm flour tortilla layered with soft refried beans. Each Crispy Taco shell is cooked fresh in-house every day, then filled with Taco John’s signature 100% American […]

Carl’s Jr. Brings Back El Diablo Burger

Guests summoned, we answered. Carl’s Jr is giving into guests’ cravings with the infernal return of the devilishly spicy El Diablo burger. Starting today, the cult-favorite menu item, featuring two charbroiled all-beef patties, two strips of bacon, crispy Jalapeño POPPERS Bites, melty pepperjack cheese and fiery habanero ranch sauce on a seeded bun, will rejoin […]

Domino’s to Tip Customers who Tip Delivery Drivers

Domino’s brought you Carryout Tips. Now the largest pizza company in the world, known for its value innovation, is launching You Tip, We Tip – a promotion that tips customers who tip their delivery drivers, beginning April 29. “Domino’s drivers have been hustling to deliver hot, delicious pizzas since 1960, and we love that customers […]

McDonald's drive-thru sits well above 70 percent of the business.

Price is Coming to McDonald’s in California. Drive-Thru Automation? Not So Fast

Wienerschnitzel Appoints Doug Koob as Chief Development Officer

Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog concept, announced today a new addition to its executive leadership team, Doug Koob. In this new role, Koob will oversee sales and business development teams for both domestic and international growth, real estate, along with restaurant design and construction. Koob’s background of 40-plus years in the hospitality industry led […]

Abbott’s Frozen Custard Announces Opening of First Franchised Store in Texas

Abbott’s Frozen Custard, the oldest frozen custard franchise in the nation, is celebrating the grand opening of its first franchise location in the state of Texas. Located in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, at 1520 N Hardin Boulevard, it is the first of more than 100 locations throughout Texas to be opened by owner-operator Southern […]

Graphic about smile cookie campaign.

Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie Campaign Returns