Sometimes it can be easy to forget just how big Subway is. For instance, the sandwich chain, in 2017, had nearly 12,000 more domestic units than McDonald’s. 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.
[DOWNLOAD] QSR 50 Data 2008-2018
CHECK OUT THE 2019 RANKING OF AMERICA’S BIGGEST CHAINS
Here’s a look at where the biggest brands in America stack up, how they’re growing, which are retracting, and which icons are outperforming everybody else. The unit counts are by U.S. restaurants in 2017.
1. Subway
Unit count: 25,908
Franchised stores: 25,908
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: –866
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,800.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $416.86
2. McDonald’s
Unit count: 14,036
Franchised stores: 13,194
Company stores: 842
Total change in units from 2016: –119
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $37,480.67
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,670.32
3. Starbucks
Unit count: 13,930
Franchised stores: 5,708
Company stores: 8,222
Total change in units from 2016: 758
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $13,167.61
Average sales per unit (thousands): $945.27
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
Unit count: 12,538
Franchised stores: 12,538
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: 280
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,192.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $733.13
5. Pizza Hut
Unit count: 7,522
Franchised stores: 7,426
Company stores: 96
Total change in units from 2016: –167
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,510.84
Average sales per unit (thousands): $900.00
6. Burger King
Unit count: 7,226
Franchised stores: 7,176
Company stores: 50
Total change in units from 2016: 70
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,028.32
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,387.81
7. Taco Bell
Unit count: 6,446
Franchised stores: 5,799
Company stores: 647
Total change in units from 2016: 168
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,790.15
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,500.00
8. Wendy’s
Unit count: 5,769
Franchised stores: 5,432
Company stores: 337
Total change in units from 2016: 30
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,288.09
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,610.00
9. Domino’s
Unit count: 5,587
Franchised stores: 5,195
Company stores: 392
Total change in units from 2016: 216
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,900.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,000.00
10. Dairy Queen
Unit count: 4,455
Franchised stores: 4,453
Company stores: 2
Total change in units from 2016: –62
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,640.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,269.75
11. Little Caesars
Unit count: 4,332
Franchised stores: 3,797
Company stores: 535
Total change in units from 2016: 8
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,530.58
Average sales per unit (thousands): $815.00
12. KFC
Unit count: 4,109
Franchised stores: 4,055
Company stores: 54
Total change in units from 2016: –58
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,417.05
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,200.00
13. Sonic Drive-In
Unit count: 3,593
Franchised stores: 3,365
Company stores: 228
Total change in units from 2016: 66
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,408.16
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,250.00
14. Arby’s
Unit count: 3,415
Franchised stores: 2,340
Company stores: 1,075
Total change in units from 2016: 57
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,634.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,130.00
15. Papa John’s
Unit count: 3,314
Franchised stores: 2,606
Company stores: 708
Total change in units from 2016: –127
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,209.30
Average sales per unit (thousands): $968.45
16. Jimmy John’s
Unit count: 2,755
Franchised stores: 2,700
Company stores: 55
Total change in units from 2016: 108
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,139.62
Average sales per unit (thousands): $796.97
17. Baskin-Robbins
Unit count: 2,560
Franchised stores: 2,560
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: 22
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $606.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $360.72
18. Chipotle
Unit count: 2,371
Franchised stores: 0
Company stores: 2,371
Total change in units from 2016: 173
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,476.41
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,940.00
19. Jack in the Box
Unit count: 2,251
Franchised stores: 1,975
Company stores: 276
Total change in units from 2016: –4
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,469.17
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,543.00
20. Popeyes
Unit count: 2,231
Franchised stores: 2,178
Company stores: 53
Total change in units from 2016: 147
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,213.06
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,440.19
21. Chick-fil-A
Unit count: 2,225
Franchised stores: 1,882
Company stores: 343
Total change in units from 2016: 140
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,000.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,090.90
22. Panera
Unit count: 2,043
Franchised stores: 1,112
Company stores: 931
Total change in units from 2016: 43
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,503.64
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,693.90
23. Panda Express
Unit count: 2,011
Franchised stores: 113
Company stores: 1,898
Total change in units from 2016: 118
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,114.80
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,641.00