Popeyes exterior.

Each year, the QSR 50 gives a detailed look at how quickly fast-food chains have expanded across the U.S. 

Despite restrictions, delays in construction, and a variety of other factors amid the COVID pandemic, these quick-service chains managed to grow their brand to new and existing markets and reach more customers. 

The list includes 15 brands just outside the top 50. So this is a compilation of the top 27 fastest-growing chains among the 65 highest-grossing quick-service brands in America in terms of U.S. systemwide sales.

CHECK OUT 2020’s RESULTS

Other Key Lists:

America’s 50 Biggest Fast-Food Chains

45 Chains Earnings the Most Per Restaurant

Top-Paid CEOs of Publicly Traded Quick-Service Restaurants

42 Fast-Food Brands to Watch in 2021

Note: The figures are by U.S. restaurants as of 2020 year end.

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Image credits:Adobe Stock

1. Starbucks

Total change in units from 2019: 287

Unit count: 15,328

Franchised stores: 6,387

Company stores: 8,941

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $18,750

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,235

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Starbucks

2. Domino’s

Total change in units from 2019: 229

Unit count: 6,355

Franchised stores: 5,992

Company stores: 363

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $8,287

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,328

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Domino’s

3. Jersey Mike’s 

Total change in units from 2019: 189

Unit count: 1,856

Franchised stores: 1,842

Company stores: 14

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,595

Average sales per unit (thousands): 936

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Jersey Mike’s

4. Wingstop

Total change in units from 2019: 153

Unit count: 1,538

Franchised stores: 1,506

Company stores: 32

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,000

Average sales per unit (thousands): 1,489

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Wingstop

5. Chipotle

Total change in units from 2019: 150

Unit count: 2,750

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2,750

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,985

Average sales per unit (thousands): 2,200

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chipotle

6. Popeyes

Total change in units from 2019: 135

Unit count: 2,634

Franchised stores: 2,593

Company stores: 41

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,587

Average sales per unit (thousands): 1,920

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Popeyes

7. Chick-fil-A

Total change in units from 2019: 107

Unit count: 2,607

Franchised stores: 2,589

Company stores: 18

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $12,800

Average sales per unit (thousands): 5,013

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chick-fil-A

8. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Total change in units from 2019: 80

Unit count: 914

Franchised stores: 913

Company stores: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $690

Average sales per unit (thousands): 841

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Tropical Smoothie Cafe

9. Panda Express 

Total change in units from 2019: 79

Unit count: 2,263

Franchised stores: 150

Company stores: 2,113

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,817

Average sales per unit (thousands): 1,915

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Panda Express

10. Raising Cane’s

Total change in units from 2019: 52

Unit count: 509

Franchised stores: 92

Company stores: 417

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,722

Average sales per unit (thousands): 3,850

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Raising Cane’s

11. Culver’s 

Total change in units from 2019: 50

Unit count: 782

Franchised stores: 776

Company stores: 6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,986

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,624

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Culver’s

12. Marco’s Pizza

Total change in units from 2019: 39

Unit count: 954

Franchised stores: 912

Company stores: 42

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $760

Average sales per unit (thousands): $838

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Marco’s Pizza

13. Smoothie King

Total change in units from 2019: 39

Unit count: 1,008

Franchised stores: 968

Company stores: 40

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $464

Average sales per unit (thousands): $521

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Smoothie King

14. Taco Bell 

Total change in units from 2019: 33

Unit count: 6,799

Franchised stores: 6,324

Company stores: 475

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $11,000

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,648

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Taco Bell

15. Wendy’s

Total change in units from 2019: 29

Unit count: 5,881

Franchised stores: 5,520

Company stores: 361

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,231

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,725

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Wendy’s

16. MOD Pizza

Total change in units from 2019: 22

Unit count: 490

Franchised stores: 82

Company stores: 408

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $461

Average sales per unit (thousands): $979

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:MOD Pizza

17. Qdoba

Total change in units from 2019: 20

Unit count: 750

Franchised stores: 406

Company stores: 344

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $787

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,086

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:QDOBA

18. Freddy’s

Total change in units from 2019: 20

Unit count: 388

Franchised stores: 356

Company stores: 32

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $643

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,681

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

19. Shake Shack 

Total change in units from 2019: 20

Unit count: 205

Franchised stores: 22

Company stores: 183

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $550

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,020

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Shake Shack

20. Jamba

Total change in units from 2019: 17

Unit count: 791

Franchised stores: 788

Company stores: 3

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $418

Average sales per unit (thousands): $664

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Jamba

21. Five Guys

Total change in units from 2019: 14

Unit count: 1,382

Franchised stores: 938

Company stores: 444

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,711

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,575

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Five Guys

22. Whataburger

Total change in units from 2019: 14

Unit count: 844

Franchised stores: 114

Company stores: 730

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,698

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,197

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Whataburger

23. Bojangles

Total change in units from 2019: 12

Unit count: 758

Franchised stores: 432

Company stores: 326

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,374

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,861

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Bojangles

24. McAlister’s Deli 

Total change in units from 2019: 12

Unit count: 481

Franchised stores: 449

Company stores: 32

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $625

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,418

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:McAlister’s Deli

25. In-N-Out

Total change in units from 2019: 11

Unit count: 365

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 365

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,100

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,060

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Unsplash/Thomas Mowe

26. Arby’s

Total change in units from 2019: 10

Unit count: 3,369

Franchised stores: 2,176

Company stores: 1,193

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,215

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,273

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Arby’s

27. Zaxby’s

Total change in units from 2019: 10

Unit count: 905

Franchised stores: 760

Company stores: 145

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,000

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,200

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Zaxby’s
Fast Food, QSR Slideshow