Stack them up

From systemwide sales to average-unit volumes, the restaurant industry will always have its steadfast metrics. But few are more closely watched than unit count. Simply, which brands are growing? And which are retracting?

Each year, the QSR 50 takes the pulse of the quick-service landscape by diving into these figures, and more. The result is a telling peek inside one of the country’s most dynamic industries, often referred to as the heartbeat of the American consumer.

While it’s pulled back significantly in the last couple of years, sandwich giant Subway remains far and away the largest restaurant chain. It’s 24,798 domestic locations are 9,973 ahead of Starbucks—the second-biggest U.S. brand.

CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S RESULTS

CHECK OUT THE UPDATED 2021 RANKINGS: America’s 50 Biggest Fast-Food Chains

Here’s a breakdown of where the largest restaurants in the nation rank, if they’re expanding, shrinking, and which chains have sales to back it up.

Note: The unit count are by U.S. restaurants as of 2018 year end.

1. Subway

Unit count: 24,798

Franchised stores: 24,798

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: –1,110

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,410.34

Average sales per unit (thousands): $420.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

2. Starbucks

Unit count: 14,825

Franchised stores: 6,332

Company stores: 8,493

Total change in units from 2017: 895

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $19,700.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,349.32

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

3. McDonald’s

Unit count: 13,914

Franchised stores: 13,229

Company stores: 685

Total change in units from 2017: -122

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $38,524.05

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,768.73

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

4. Dunkin’

Unit count: 9,419

Franchised stores: 9,419

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: 278

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $8,787.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $933.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

5. Pizza Hut

Unit count: 7,456

Franchised stores: 7,432

Company stores: 24

Total change in units from 2017: -41

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,500.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $878.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

6. Burger King

Unit count: 7,327

Franchised stores: 7,278

Company stores: 49

Total change in units from 2017: 101

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,950.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,357.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

7. Wendy’s

Unit count: 6,711

Franchised stores: 5,825

Company stores: 353

Total change in units from 2017: 77

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,993.70

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,636.40

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

8. Taco Bell

Unit count: 6,588

Franchised stores: 6,126

Company stores: 462

Total change in units from 2017: 142

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,300.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,600.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

9. Domino’s

Unit count: 5,876

Franchised stores: 5,486

Company stores: 390

Total change in units from 2017: 258

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $6,600.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,123.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

10. Dairy Queen

Unit count: 4,406

Franchised stores: 4,404

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2017: -49

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,650.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,204.58

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

11. Little Caesars

Unit count: 4,262

Franchised stores: 3,700

Company stores: 562

Total change in units from 2017: -74

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,800.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $874.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

12. KFC

Unit count: 4,074

Franchised stores: 4,019

Company stores: 55

Total change in units from 2017: -35

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,400.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,210.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

13. Sonic Drive-In

Unit count: 3,606

Franchised stores: 3,427

Company stores: 179

Total change in units from 2017: 13

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,447.10

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,250.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

14. Papa John’s

Unit count: 3,337

Franchised stores: 2,691

Company stores: 646

Total change in units from 2017: 23

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,720.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $815.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

15. Arby’s

Unit count: 3,329

Franchised stores: 2,197

Company stores: 1,132

Total change in units from 2017: 46

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,886.90

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,177.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

16. Jimmy John’s

Unit count: 2,803

Franchised stores: 2,748

Company stores: 55

Total change in units from 2017: 48

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,200.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $772.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

17. Baskin-Robbins

Unit count: 2,550

Franchised stores: 2,550

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: -10

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $612.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $240.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

18. Chipotle

Unit count: 2,491

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2,491

Total change in units from 2017: 83

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,800.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,000.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

19. Chick-fil-A

Unit count: 2,400

Franchised stores: 2,400

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: 175

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,000.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,166.67

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

20. Popeyes

Unit count: 2,368

Franchised stores: 2,327

Company stores: 41

Total change in units from 2017: 148

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,325.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,415.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

21. Jack in the Box

Unit count: 2,237

Franchised stores: 2,100

Company stores: 137

Total change in units from 2017: -14

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,466.13

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,553.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

22. Panda Express

Unit count: 2,104

Franchised stores: 125

Company stores: 1,979

Total change in units from 2017: 93

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,400.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,616.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

23. Panera Bread

Unit count: 2,093

Franchised stores: 1,131

Company stores: 963

Total change in units from 2017: 50

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,734.63

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,739.91

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

24. Hardee’s

Unit count: 1,864

Franchised stores: 1,745

Company stores: 119

Total change in units from 2017: 16

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,120.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,131.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

25. Jersey Mike’s

Unit count: 1,494

Franchised stores: 1,412

Company stores: 82

Total change in units from 2017: 151

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,148.49

Average sales per unit (thousands): $769.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

26. Papa Murphy’s

Unit count: 1,437

Franchised stores: 1,331

Company stores: 106

Total change in units from 2017: -86

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $795.58

Average sales per unit (thousands): $568.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

27. Five Guy’s

Unit count: 1,358

Franchised stores: 866

Company stores: 492

Total change in units from 2017: 37

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,615.84

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,274.80

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

28. Auntie Anne’s

Unit count: 1,295

Franchised stores: 1,282

Company stores: 13

Total change in units from 2017: -16

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $558.24

Average sales per unit (thousands): $538.18

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

29. Wingstop

Unit count: 1,252

Franchised stores: 1,095

Company stores: 29

Total change in units from 2017: 225

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,261.03

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,139.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

30. Carl’s Jr.

Unit count: 1,156

Franchised stores: 1,106

Company stores: 50

Total change in units from 2017: -7

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,261.03

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,425.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

31. Firehouse Subs

Unit count: 1,115

Franchised stores: 1,078

Company stores: 37

Total change in units from 2017: 40

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $810.95

Average sales per unit (thousands): $711.66

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

32. Church’s Chicken

Unit count: 1,086

Franchised stores: 811

Company stores: 165

Total change in units from 2017: -46

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $750.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $714.00

Read more in the QSR 50 here.