As this year’s QSR 50 showed, the biggest fast-food chains in America found a way to sling-shot out of crisis times. Brands like Starbucks, Domino’s, Jersey Mike’s, Wingstop, Chipotle, and more grew by triple-digits as customers flocked to digital-focused and convenience-centric outlets, like the drive-thru, amid lockdowns. But what about the category’s emerging chains?

Here’s a look at 42 brands to keep an eye on in 2021, how they fared last year, and which concepts could potentially breakthrough in the coming years.

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1. Auntie Anne’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $349

Average sales per unit (thousands): $397

Unit count: 1,197

Franchised stores: 1,185

Company stores: 12

Total change in units from 2019: -25

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

2. WNB Factory 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $327

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,020

Unit count: 62

Franchised stores: 48

Company stores: 16

Total change in units from 2019: 18

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

3. Schlotzsky’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $270

Average sales per unit (thousands): $840

Unit count: 333

Franchised stores: 309

Company stores: 24

Total change in units from 2019: -19

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

4. A&W

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $235

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,100

Unit count: 541

Franchised stores: 538

Company stores: 3

Total change in units from 2019: -34

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

5. Golden Chick

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $229

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,159

Unit count: 198

Franchised stores: 192

Company stores: 6

Total change in units from 2019: 14

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

6. Mountain Mike’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $206

Average sales per unit (thousands): $946

Unit count: 228

Franchised stores: 228

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 13

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

7. Donatos

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,213

Unit count: 168

Franchised stores: 114

Company stores: 54

Total change in units from 2019: 10

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

8. Chicken Salad Chick

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $175

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,060

Unit count: 176

Franchised stores: 126

Company stores: 50

Total change in units from 2019: 32

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

9. Slim Chickens 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $163

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,834

Unit count: 102

Franchised stores: 92

Company stores: 10

Total change in units from 2019: 79

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

10. Pollo Campero 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $148

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,924

Unit count: 79

Franchised stores: 17

Company stores: 62

Total change in units from 2019: 1

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

11. Cinnabon

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $143

Average sales per unit (thousands): $396

Unit count: 942

Franchised stores: 941

Company stores: 1

Total change in units from 2019: 32

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

12. Waba Grill 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $140

Average sales per unit (thousands): $729

Unit count: 192

Franchised stores: 175

Company stores: 17

Total change in units from 2019: 0

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

13. Ledo Pizza

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $115

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,100

Unit count: 107

Franchised stores: 107

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 4

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

14. Nékter Juice Bar 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $79

Average sales per unit (thousands): $600

Unit count: 148

Franchised stores: 115

Company stores: 33

Total change in units from 2019: -11

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

15. Pizza Factory 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $67

Average sales per unit (thousands): $736

Unit count: 101

Franchised stores: 100

Company stores: 1

Total change in units from 2019: -4

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

16. Toppers 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $65

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,030

Unit count: 67

Franchised stores: 47

Company stores: 20

Total change in units from 2019: -4

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

17. Teriyaki Madness

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $61

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,079

Unit count: 89

Franchised stores: 89

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 29

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

18. Cottage Inn

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $53

Average sales per unit (thousands): $981

Unit count: 54

Franchised stores: 45

Company stores: 9

Total change in units from 2019: 2

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

19. Bahama Buck’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $51

Average sales per unit (thousands): $485

Unit count: 107

Franchised stores: 103

Company stores: 4

Total change in units from 2019: 5

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

20. Cheba Hut

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,500

Unit count: 37

Franchised stores: 37

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 9

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

21. Clean Juice

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $41

Average sales per unit (thousands): $485

Unit count: 102

Franchised stores: 89

Company stores: 13

Total change in units from 2019: 25

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

22. Your Pie

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $40

Average sales per unit (thousands): $720

Unit count: 76

Franchised stores: 76

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 7

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

23. Dog Haus

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,179

Unit count: 43

Franchised stores: 38

Company stores: 5

Total change in units from 2019: 5

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

24. Robeks

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $34

Average sales per unit (thousands): $491

Unit count: 83

Franchised stores: 82

Company stores: 1

Total change in units from 2019: 0

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

25. Juice It Up!

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $33

Average sales per unit (thousands): $459

Unit count: 79

Franchised stores: 78

Company stores: 1

Total change in units from 2019: -3

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

26. Vitality Bowls

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $29

Average sales per unit (thousands): $444

Unit count: 74

Franchised stores: 70

Company stores: 4

Total change in units from 2019: -4

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

27. Mo’ Bettahs

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $29

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,695

Unit count: 17

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 17

Total change in units from 2019: 6

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

28. Pokeworks

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $27

Average sales per unit (thousands): $800

Unit count: 58

Franchised stores: 49

Company stores: 9

Total change in units from 2019: 9

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

29. Fresh Brothers

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $27

Average sales per unit (thousands): $145

Unit count: 21

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 21

Total change in units from 2019: 1

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

30. Kona Ice

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $26

Average sales per unit (thousands): $90

Unit count: 1,333

Franchised stores: 1,304

Company stores: 29

Total change in units from 2019: 138

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

31. Bubbakoo’s Burritos

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $26

Average sales per unit (thousands): $901

Unit count: 43

Franchised stores: 32

Company stores: 11

Total change in units from 2019: 11

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

32. SoBol

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $23

Average sales per unit (thousands): $650

Unit count: 48

Franchised stores: 45

Company stores: 3

Total change in units from 2019: 10

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

33. Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $23

Average sales per unit (thousands): $256

Unit count: 90

Franchised stores: 67

Company stores: 23

Total change in units from 2019: -3

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

34. Swig

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $21

Average sales per unit (thousands): $956

Unit count: 29

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 29

Total change in units from 2019: 9

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

35. The Chicken Shack 

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $20

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

Unit count: 22

Franchised stores: 3

Company stores: 19

Total change in units from 2019: 3

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

36. Ziggi’s Coffee

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $17

Average sales per unit (thousands): $827

Unit count: 27

Franchised stores: 20

Company stores: 7

Total change in units from 2019: 6

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

37. Nardelli’s

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $872

Unit count: 15

Franchised stores: 13

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2019: 0

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

38. Kettleman’s Bagel

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,250

Unit count: 4

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores:  4

Total change in units from 2019: 1

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

39. Chaps Pit Beef

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,253

Unit count: 6

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 6

Total change in units from 2019: 2

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

40. Tso Chinese Delivery

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,890

Unit count: 2

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2019: 1

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

41. Fresh Catch Poke Co. 

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $840

Unit count: 2

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2019: 1

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up

42. Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ

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

Average sales per unit (thousands): $350

Unit count: 5

Franchised stores: 5

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: 3

Read More in the QSR 50: Next Up