When it comes to total sales, nobody holds a candle to McDonald’s. The fast-food behemoth, in 2017, reported $37,480.67 (in millions) across its 14,000 domestic units—more than double its nearest competitor. 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.
Here’s a look at where the top-earning restaurants in America stack up by total systemwide sales.
Note: These figures reflect end of year fiscal 2017 results.
1. McDonald’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $37,480.67
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,670.32
Unit count: 14,036
Franchised stores: 13,194
Company stores: 842
Total change in units from 2016: –119
2. Starbucks
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $13,167.61
Average sales per unit (thousands): $945.27
Unit count: 13,930
Franchised stores: 5,708
Company stores: 8,222
Total change in units from 2016: 758
3. Subway
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,800.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $416.86
Unit count: 25,908
Franchised stores: 25,908
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: –866
4. Burger King
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,028.32
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,387.81
Unit count: 7,226
Franchised stores: 7,176
Company stores: 50
Total change in units from 2016: 70
5. Taco Bell
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,790.15
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,500.00
Unit count: 6,446
Franchised stores: 5,799
Company stores: 647
Total change in units from 2016: 168
6. Wendy’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,288.09
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,610.00
Unit count: 5,769
Franchised stores: 5,432
Company stores: 337
Total change in units from 2016: 30
7. Dunkin’ Donuts
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,192.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $733.13
Unit count: 12,538
Franchised stores: 12,538
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: 280
8. Chick-fil-A
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,000.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,090.90
Unit count: 2,225
Franchised stores: 1,882
Company stores: 343
Total change in units from 2016: 140
9. Domino’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,900.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,000.00
Unit count: 5,587
Franchised stores: 5,195
Company stores: 392
Total change in units from 2016: 216
10. Pizza Hut
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,510.84
Average sales per unit (thousands): $900.00
Unit count: 7,522
Franchised stores: 7,426
Company stores: 96
Total change in units from 2016: –167
11. Panera
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,503.64
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,693.90
Unit count: 2,043
Franchised stores: 1,112
Company stores: 931
Total change in units from 2016: 43
12. Chipotle
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,476.41
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,940.00
Unit count: 2,371
Franchised stores: 0
Company stores: 2,371
Total change in units from 2016: 173
13. KFC
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,417.05
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,200.00
Unit count: 4,109
Franchised stores: 4,055
Company stores: 54
Total change in units from 2016: –58
14. Sonic Drive-In
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,408.16
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,250.00
Unit count: 3,593
Franchised stores: 3,365
Company stores: 228
Total change in units from 2016: 66
15. Dairy Queen
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,640.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,269.75
Unit count: 4,455
Franchised stores: 4,453
Company stores: 2
Total change in units from 2016: –62
16. Arby’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,634.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,130.00
Unit count: 3,415
Franchised stores: 2,340
Company stores: 1,075
Total change in units from 2016: 57
17. Little Caesars
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,530.58
Average sales per unit (thousands): $815.00
Unit count: 4,332
Franchised stores: 3,797
Company stores: 535
Total change in units from 2016: 8
18. Jack in the Box
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,469.17
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,543.00
Unit count: 2,251
Franchised stores: 1,975
Company stores: 276
Total change in units from 2016: –4
19. Popeyes
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,213.06
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,440.19
Unit count: 2,231
Franchised stores: 2,178
Company stores: 53
Total change in units from 2016: 147
20. Papa John’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,209.30
Average sales per unit (thousands): $968.45
Unit count: 3,314
Franchised stores: 2,606
Company stores: 708
Total change in units from 2016: –127
21. Panda Express
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,114.80
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,641.00
Unit count: 2,011
Franchised stores: 113
Company stores: 1,898
Total change in units from 2016: 118
22. Whataburger
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2278.62
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,775.43
Unit count: 821
Franchised stores: 124
Company stores: 697
Total change in units from 2016: 15
23. Hardee’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,168.00
Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,164.00
Unit count: 1,864
Franchised stores: 1,745
Company stores: 119
Total change in units from 2016: 16
24. Jimmy John’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,139.62
Average sales per unit (thousands): $796.97
Unit count: 2,755
Franchised stores: 2,700
Company stores: 55
Total change in units from 2016: 108
25. Zaxby’s
U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,091.50
Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,350.00
Unit count: 890
Franchised stores: 890
Company stores: 0
Total change in units from 2016: 74