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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: 19 Fastest-Growing Quick-Service Restaurant Chains for 2019
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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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