More than a chicken sandwich

Here’s one of the most remarkable realities about the fast-food industry, told by the numbers. At the end of 2018, there were only five restaurant brands in America with at least $10 billion in total U.S. systemwide sales—McDonald’s, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A (Wendy’s and Burger King were knocking at the door). While that sounds like a standard heavy-hitters list of quick-service chains, there is one thing that separates them: Unit count. And this is where Chick-fil-A’s rise in recent years is eye-popping. The brand has the 19th most restaurants in the country, yet ranks fifth in total sales.

Heading into 2019, Chick-fil-A stood at $10 billion across 2,400 restaurants.

McDonald’s had 13,914 locations; Starbucks 14,825; Subway 24,798; and Taco Bell 6,588. Not to mention, Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. As you’ll see in the following list, Chick-fil-A has climbed to rare heights despite being significantly smaller than the restaurants it measures against (and being open 52 fewer days a year). The key figure: The chicken chain’s restaurants averaged $4.167 million last year. The nearest competitor was Raising Cane’s, at $2.963 million. But that was counting just 400 restaurants. Of brands with 1,000 locations or more, McDonald’s is the closest at $2.769 million per location. Panera, which had 2,093 stores at year’s end, was next at $2.74 million. Chipotle clocked in at $2 million.

What this all illustrates is something we probably knew already—Chick-fil-A’s surge over the past 12 years, a span in which it doubled its U.S. store count—remains one of the biggest success stories the industry has seen to date. And there’s no reason to think the brand is slowing down.

CHECK OUT LAST YEAR’S LIST

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 2018 results.

Image credits:Chick-fil-A

1. McDonald’s

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

Previous year: $37,480.67

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

Unit count: 13,914

Franchised stores: 13,229

Company stores: 685

Total change in units from 2017: -122

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:McDonald’s

2. Starbucks

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

Previous year: $13,167.61

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

Unit count: 14,825

Franchised stores: 6,332

Company stores: 8,493

Total change in units from 2017: 895

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Starbucks

3. Subway

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

Previous year: $10,800.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $420.00

Unit count: 24,798

Franchised stores: 24,798

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: –1,110

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Subway

4. Taco Bell

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

Previous year: $9,790.15

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

Unit count: 6,588

Franchised stores: 6,126

Company stores: 462

Total change in units from 2017: 142

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Taco Bell

5. Chick-fil-A

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

Previous year: $9,000.00

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

Unit count: 2,400

Franchised stores: 2,400

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: 175

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chick-fil-A

6. Wendy’s

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

Previous year: $9,288.09

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

Unit count: 6,711

Franchised stores: 5,825

Company stores: 353

Total change in units from 2017: 77

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Wendy’s

7. Burger King

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

Previous year: $10,028.32

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

Unit count: 7,327

Franchised stores: 7,278

Company stores: 49

Total change in units from 2017: 101

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

8. Dunkin’

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

Previous year: $9,192.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $933.00

Unit count: 9,419

Franchised stores: 9,419

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2017: 278

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

 

Image credits:Dunkin’ Donuts

9. Domino’s

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

Previous year: $5,900.00

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

Unit count: 5,876

Franchised stores: 5,486

Company stores: 390

Total change in units from 2017: 258

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Domino’s

10. Panera Bread

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

Previous year: $5,503.64

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

Unit count: 2,093

Franchised stores: 1,131

Company stores: 963

Total change in units from 2017: 50

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Panera Bread

11. Pizza Hut

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

Previous year: $5,510.84

Average sales per unit (thousands): $878.00

Unit count: 7,456

Franchised stores: 7,432

Company stores: 24

Total change in units from 2017: -41

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Pizza Hut

12. Chipotle

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

Previous year: $4,476.41

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

Unit count: 2,491

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2,491

Total change in units from 2017: 83

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Chipotle

13. Sonic Drive-In

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

Previous year: $4,408.16

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

Unit count: 3,606

Franchised stores: 3,427

Company stores: 179

Total change in units from 2017: 13

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Sonic Drive-In

14. KFC

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

Previous year: $4,417.05

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

Unit count: 4,074

Franchised stores: 4,019

Company stores: 55

Total change in units from 2017: -35

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:KFC

15. Arby’s

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

Previous year: $3,634.00

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

Unit count: 3,329

Franchised stores: 2,197

Company stores: 1,132

Total change in units from 2017: 46

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Arby’s

16. Little Caesars

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

Previous year: $3,530.58

Average sales per unit (thousands): $874.00

Unit count: 4,262

Franchised stores: 3,700

Company stores: 562

Total change in units from 2017: -74

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Little Caesars

17. Dairy Queen

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

Previous year: $3,640.00

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

Unit count: 4,406

Franchised stores: 4,404

Company stores: 2

Total change in units from 2017: -49

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Dairy Queen

18. Jack in the Box

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

Previous year: $3,469.17

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

Unit count: 2,237

Franchised stores: 2,100

Company stores: 137

Total change in units from 2017: -14

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Thomas Hawk

19. Panda Express

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

Previous year: $3,114.80

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

Unit count: 2,104

Franchised stores: 125

Company stores: 1,979

Total change in units from 2017: 93

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Panda Express

20. Popeyes

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

Previous year: $3,213.06

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

Unit count: 2,368

Franchised stores: 2,327

Company stores: 41

Total change in units from 2017: 148

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Popeyes

21. Papa John’s

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

Previous year: $3,209.30  

Average sales per unit (thousands): $815.00

Unit count: 3,337

Franchised stores: 2,691

Company stores: 646

Total change in units from 2017: 23

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Papa John’s

22. Whataburger

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,416.00

Previous year: $2,278.62

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,928.50

Unit count: 825        

Franchised stores: 126

Company stores: 699

Total change in units from 2017: 4

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Whataburger

23. Jimmy John’s

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

Previous year: $2,139.62

Average sales per unit (thousands): $772.00

Unit count: 2,803

Franchised stores: 2,748

Company stores: 55

Total change in units from 2017: 48

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Jimmy John’s

24. Hardee’s

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

Previous year: $2,168.00

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

Unit count: 1,864

Franchised stores: 1,745

Company stores: 119

Total change in units from 2017: 16

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:CKE Restaurants

25. Zaxby’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,850.00

Previous year: $2,091.50

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,060.00

Unit count: 898

Franchised stores: 757

Company stores: 141

Total change in units from 2017: 21

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Zaxby’s

26. Five Guys

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

Previous year: $1,436.52

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

Unit count: 1,358

Franchised stores: 866

Company stores: 492

Total change in units from 2017: 37

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Mike Mozart

27. Culver’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,580.00

Previous year: $1,400.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,390.00

Unit count: 686

Franchised stores: 680

Company stores: 6

Total change in units from 2017: 45

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Culver’s

28. Carl’s Jr.

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

Previous year: $1,487.00

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

Unit count: 1,156

Franchised stores: 1,106

Company stores: 50

Total change in units from 2017: -7

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Carl’s Jr.

29. Bojangles’

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,296.21

Previous year: $1,278.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,741.06

Unit count: 759

Franchised stores: 440

Company stores: 319

Total change in units from 2017: -5

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Bojangles’

30. Wingstop

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

Previous year: $1,087.43   

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

Unit count: 1,252

Franchised stores: 1,095

Company stores: 29

Total change in units from 2017: 225

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:wikimedia commons/Leahdi

31. Raising Cane’s

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,185.00

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,963.00

Unit count: 400

Franchised stores: 70

Company stores: 330

Total change in units from 2017: 0

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Raising Cane’s

32. Jersey Mike’s

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

Previous year: $974.78

Average sales per unit (thousands): $769.00

Unit count: 1,494

Franchised stores: 1,412

Company stores: 82

Total change in units from 2017: 151

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:Jersey Mike’s

33. Steak ‘n’ Shake

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,035.00

Previous year: $939.99

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,739.00

Unit count: 594

Franchised stores: 185

Company stores: 409

Total change in units from 2017: 9

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:flickr: Kent Kanouse

34. In-N-Out Burger

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

Previous year: $647.80

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,794.00     

Unit count: 338

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 338

Total change in units from 2017: 10

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

Image credits:In-N-Out Burger
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