Subway
Subway
HMSHost
McDonald's of North Texas
Dunkin'
Taco Bell
Restaurant Brands International
Domino's
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Dairy Queen
Little Caesars
Denko Imaging
Sonic Drive-In
Arby's
Papa Johns pizza.
Papa Johns
Roughly 85 percent of Papa Johns's sales come through owned channels.
Chipotle
Popeyes
Chick-fil-A
Jimmy John's
Jersey Mike’s
Panda Express
Baskin-Robbins
Jack in the Box
Panera Bread
Wingstop
CKE Restaurants
flickr: Mike Mozart
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Firehouse Subs
Papa Murphy's
Acrelec
Marco's Pizza
Whataburger
Zaxby's
Culver's took care of its employees during the pandemic as well.
Culver's
On the front lines, Culver’s boasts a Crew Challenge initiative that rewards the system’s top teams for excellence in service and hospitality, with a total of $100,000 in total annual prize money.

In the competitive landscape of quick-service dining, size and scale often matter. Whether it’s the number of locations serving up fast favorites or the geographical footprint stretching from coast to coast, the biggest chains have a defining influence on the industry—and on our daily lives.

Unit count is a telling indicator of a brand’s reach, resilience, and ability to meet consumer demand.

Here’s a look at the 35 biggest U.S. quick-service chains in terms of store count. 

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GO TO THE QSR 50 CHART

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Note: The unit counts are by U.S. restaurants as of 2022 year end.

If viewing on desktop, click arrows in picture to see the next slide. * Indicates estimate by QSR.

Image credits:Subway

1. Subway*

2022 Total Units: 20,576

Franchised stores: 20,576

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2021: –571

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,372

Average sales per unit (thousands): $510

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Subway

2. Starbucks*

2022 Total Units: 15,873

Franchised stores: 6,608

Company stores: 9,265

Total change in units from 2021: 429

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $28,100

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,680

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:HMSHost

3. McDonald’s

2022 Total Units: 13,444

Franchised stores: 12,751

Company stores: 693

Total change in units from 2021: 6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $48,734

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,625

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:McDonald’s of North Texas

4. Dunkin’ 

2022 Total Units: 9,370

Franchised stores: 9,339

Company stores: 31

Total change in units from 2021: 126

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $11,279

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,200

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Dunkin’

5. Taco Bell

2022 Total Units: 7,198

Franchised stores: 6,734

Company stores: 464

Total change in units from 2021: 196

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $13,850

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,900

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Taco Bell

6. Burger King

2022 Total Units: 7,043

Franchised stores: 6,993

Company stores: 50

Total change in units from 2021: –61

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,278

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,508

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Restaurant Brands International

7. Domino’s

2022 Total Units: 6,686

Franchised stores: 6,400

Company stores: 286

Total change in units from 2021: 126

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $8,752

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,309

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Domino’s

8. Pizza Hut

2022 Total Units: 6,561

Franchised stores: 6,540

Company stores: 21

Total change in units from 2021: 13

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,500

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,033

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Pizza Hut

9. Wendy’s

2022 Total Units: 5,994

Franchised stores: 5,591

Company stores: 403

Total change in units from 2021: 56

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $11,694

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,973

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Wendy’s

10. Dairy Queen

2022 Total Units: 4,307

Franchised stores: 4,305

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2021: –32

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,579

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,063

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Dairy Queen

11. Little Caesars*

2022 Total Units: 4,173

Franchised stores: 3,599

Company stores: 574

Total change in units from 2021: –14

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,520

Average sales per unit (thousands): $860

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Little Caesars

12. KFC

2022 Total Units: 3,918

Franchised stores: 3,872

Company stores: 46

Total change in units from 2021: –35

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,100

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,341

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Denko Imaging

13. Sonic Drive-In

2022 Total Units: 3,546

Franchised stores: 3,221

Company stores: 325

Total change in units from 2021: –6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,499

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,600

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Sonic Drive-In

14. Arby’s

2022 Total Units: 3,415

Franchised stores: 2,305

Company stores: 1,110

Total change in units from 2021: 6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,535

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,300

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Arby’s

15. Papa Johns

2022 Total Units: 3,376

Franchised stores: 2,854

Company stores: 522

Total change in units from 2021: 37

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,698

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,169

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Papa John’s

16. Chipotle

2022 Total Units: 3,129

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 3,129

Total change in units from 2021: 211

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $8,600

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,800

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Chipotle

17. Popeyes

2022 Total Units: 2,946

Franchised stores: 2,905

Company stores: 41

Total change in units from 2021: 169

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,001

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,823

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Popeyes

18. Chick-fil-A*

2022 Total Units: 2,837

Franchised stores: 2,764

Company stores: 73

Total change in units from 2021: 153

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $18,814

Average sales per unit (thousands): $6,710

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Chick-fil-A

19. Jimmy John’s

2022 Total Units: 2,637

Franchised stores: 2,597

Company stores: 40

Total change in units from 2021: –26

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,364

Average sales per unit (thousands): $900

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Jimmy John’s

20. Jersey Mike’s

2022 Total Units: 2,397

Franchised stores: 2,379

Company stores: 18

Total change in units from 2021: 297

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,680

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,210

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Jersey Mike’s

21. Panda Express

2022 Total Units: 2,393

Franchised stores: 162

Company stores: 2,231

Total change in units from 2021: 87

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,149

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,385

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Panda Express

22. Baskin-Robbins

2022 Total Units: 2,253

Franchised stores: 2,253

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2021: –54

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $685

Average sales per unit (thousands): $300

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Baskin-Robbins

23. Jack in the Box

2022 Total Units: 2,180

Franchised stores: 2,034

Company stores: 146

Total change in units from 2021: –38

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,111

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,837

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Jack in the Box

24. Panera Bread*

2022 Total Units: 2,102

Franchised stores: 1,156

Company stores: 946

Total change in units from 2021: –33

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $6,787

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,230

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Panera Bread

25. Wingstop

2022 Total Units: 1,721

Franchised stores: 1,678

Company stores: 43

Total change in units from 2021: 187

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,382

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,606

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Wingstop

26. Hardee’s

2022 Total Units: 1,707

Franchised stores: 1,512

Company stores: 195

Total change in units from 2021: 45

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,020

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,168

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:CKE Restaurants

27. Five Guys

2022 Total Units: 1,409

Franchised stores: 831

Company stores: 578

Total change in units from 2021: 19

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,204

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,718

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

28. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

2022 Total Units: 1,198

Franchised stores: 1,197

Company stores: 1

Total change in units from 2021: 159

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,075

Average sales per unit (thousands): $993

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Tropical Smoothie Cafe

29. Firehouse Subs

2022 Total Units: 1,187

Franchised stores: 1,149

Company stores: 38

Total change in units from 2021: 23

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,154

Average sales per unit (thousands): $924

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Firehouse Subs

30. Papa Murphy’s

2022 Total Units: 1,168

Franchised stores: 1,145

Company stores: 23

Total change in units from 2021: –72

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $753

Average sales per unit (thousands): $632

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Papa Murphy’s

31. Carl’s Jr.

2022 Total Units: 1,068

Franchised stores: 1,020

Company stores: 48

Total change in units from 2021: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,555

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,463

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Acrelec

32. Marco’s Pizza

2022 Total Units: 1,067

Franchised stores: 1,023

Company stores: 44

Total change in units from 2021: 65

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $968

Average sales per unit (thousands): $951

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Marco’s Pizza

33. Whataburger

2022 Total Units: 925

Franchised stores: 140

Company stores: 785

Total change in units from 2021: 52

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,340

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,725

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Whataburger

34. Zaxby’s

2022 Total Units: 922

Franchised stores: 776

Company stores: 146

Total change in units from 2021: 11

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,380

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,590

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Zaxby’s

35. Culver’s

2022 Total Units: 892

Franchised stores: 886

Company stores: 6

Total change in units from 2021: 56

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,380

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,280

Click here for a free download of the entire QSR 50 and brand-by-brand breakdown.

Image credits:Culver’s
Fast Food, QSR Slideshow