The evolution of the limited-service restaurant industry continued in 2014, as traditional powerhouses faltered while fast casuals and other rising concepts asserted themselves as forces to be reckoned with. For the first time in the history of the QSR 50, a fast casual entered the top 10, as Panera Bread leapfrogged KFC to land a spot in the industry elite. Meanwhile, Subway ceded the No. 2 spot to Starbucks after an $800 million sales tumble, Chick-fil-A grew by $700 million to become larger than every pizza brand in the country, and Wingstop claimed the biggest jump of the year, with an 11-spot leap.

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RankQSR 50 RankCompany/Chain Name2014 U.S. Systemwide Sales (millions)2014 U.S. Average Sales per Unit (thousands)Number of Franchised Units in 2014Number of Company Units in 2014Total Units in 2014Total Change in Units from 2013
16Taco Bell^2$8,200.0$1,441.04,9959265,921152
214Chipotle*$4,049.1$2,472.001,7551,755183
335Qdoba$669.4$1,070.032831063823
437Del Taco$656.1$1,278.92433045470
543Moe's Southwest Grill$571.3$1,092.9576458053

*Includes figures estimated by Technomic Inc. 2average unit volume excludes licensed units
Consumer Trends, Customer Experience, Fast Casual, Growth, Menu Innovations, Special Reports