These are the Top Fast-Food Burger Chains, Ranked by Sales

Despite chicken sandwiches garnering all the attention in recent years, the burger remains the most ubiquitous of fast-food categories. And as always, the battle up and down the QSR 50 remained fierce in 2021.

Here’s a look at how the top 15 chains measured up.

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Note: If viewing on desktop, click the arrow in the photo to see the next page. All figures are U.S. year-end 2021. * Indicates figure estimated by QSR.

Image credits:Shake Shack

1. McDonald’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $45,960

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,420

Franchised stores: 12,775

Company stores: 663

2021 Total Units: 13,438

Total change in units from 2020: –244

READ THE FULL QSR 50 DATA

Image credits:Adobe Stock

2. Wendy’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $11,111

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,895

Franchised stores: 5,535

Company stores: 403

2021 Total Units: 5,938

Total change in units from 2020: 57

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Image credits:Wendy’s

3. Burger King

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,033

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,470

Franchised stores: 7,054

Company stores: 51

2021 Total Units: 7,105

Total change in units from 2020: 24

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Image credits:Restaurant Brands International

4. Sonic Drive-In

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,835

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,643

Franchised stores: 3,232

Company stores: 320

2021 Total Units: 3,552

Total change in units from 2020: 26

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Image credits:Sonic Drive-In

5. Jack in the Box

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,077

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,843

Franchised stores: 2,055

Company stores: 163

2021 Total Units: 2,218

Total change in units from 2020: -23

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Image credits:Jack in the Box

6. Whataburger

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,089

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,640

Franchised stores: 131

Company stores: 742

2021 Total Units: 873

Total change in units from 2020: 29

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Image credits:Whataburger

7. Culver’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,489

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,099

Franchised stores: 831

Company stores: 6

2021 Total Units: 837

Total change in units from 2020: 55

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Image credits:Culver’s

8. Hardee’s*

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,100

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,117

Franchised stores: 1,536

Company stores: 198

2021 Total Units: 1,734

Total change in units from 2020: -32

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Image credits:

9. Five Guys

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,093

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,172

Franchised stores: 911

Company stores: 479

2021 Total Units: 1,390

Total change in units from 2020: 8

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Image credits:Unsplash/Marcel Heil

10. Carl’s Jr.*

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,560

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,400

Franchised stores: 1,011

Company stores: 47

2021 Total Units: 1,058

Total change in units from 2020: -21

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Image credits:Carl’s Jr.

11. In-N-Out Burger*

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,175

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,200

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 370

2021 Total Units: 370

Total change in units from 2020: 5

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Image credits:Adobe Stock

12. Checkers/Rally’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $931

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,145

Franchised stores: 568

Company stores: 266

2021 Total Units: 834

Total change in units from 2020: -13

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Image credits:Checkers

13. Shake Shack*

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $777

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,679

Franchised stores: 25

Company stores: 218

2021 Total Units: 243

Total change in units from 2020: 38

READ THE FULL QSR 50 DATA

Image credits:Shake Shack

14. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $759

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,842

Franchised stores: 391

Company stores: 29

2021 Total Units: 420

Total change in units from 2020: 32

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Image credits:Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

15. White Castle

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $615

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,749

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 349

2021 Total Units: 349

Total change in units from 2020: -6

READ THE FULL QSR 50 DATA

Image credits:White Castle

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