It’s hard to tell how America’s most successful restaurant chains will emerge from our year-plus of pandemic restrictions and changed eating habits — but the industry got a good head start in 2019, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available.
The 500 largest-grossing chains saw an average growth in U.S. sales that year of 4.2%, the largest gain since 2015. Some operations did even better: Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill, for instance, each enjoyed 7.4% increases.
The key industry publication Restaurant Business, in collaboration with the food service research and consulting firm Technomic, has recently published its annual ranking of those top 500, encompassing both fast-food outlets like McDonald’s and KFC and sit-down restaurant brands like The Cheesecake Factory and T.G.I. Friday’s.
24/7 Wall St. has singled out the top 50 here. The most successful chains were those specializing in burgers (11 of the 50) and chicken (seven entries on the list). So-called “ethnic” concepts didn’t do so well, with only two categorized as Mexican and one as Chinese. (Chains aren’t the only places serving our favorite kind of poultry. These are the 30 best fried chicken places in America.)
As a measure of how much Americans spend on chain-restaurant fare, only one operation on the list, cult favorite In-N-Out Burger at No. 50, brought in less than a billion dollars — and not much less. (Fans of In-N-Out know how to get specialties that aren’t advertised to the general public. For more inside information, read about these secret off-the-menu items to order at your favorite chains.)
Click here to see the most successful restaurant chains in America
Information on U.S. systemwide sales for chain restaurants, and for the number of units each one currently has open, come from “The Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report,” published by Restaurant Business and compiled by the publication in collaboration with the food service research and consulting firm Technomic. Sales figures, which are for the 2019 calendar year, are drawn, says Restaurant Business, from “a combination of public company financial filings, direct operator surveying, franchise disclosure documents and proprietary valuation algorithms.”
The sweet spot was obviously in the $1 to $4 billion range, which accommodated numbers 17 through 49. After that, sales grew in leaps and bounds, reaching all the way to more than $40 billion for the No. 1 chain — McDonald’s.
Source: GreenPimp / Getty Images
50. In-n-Out Burger
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $957 million
> Number of restaurants in US: 351
49. T.G.I. Friday’s
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.09 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 385
Source: helen89 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
48. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.16 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 208
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Bojangles’
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.33 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 746
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
46. Jersey Mike’s Subs
> Menu category: Sandwich
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.34 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,667
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
45. Waffle House
> Menu category: Family style
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.34 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,959
Source: jetcityimage / Getty Images
44. Wingstop
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.36 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,231
24/7 Wall St.
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
43. Carl’s Jr.
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.42 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,095
42. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.47 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 457
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
41. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.55 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 556
40. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.66 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,368
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Golden Corral
> Menu category: Family casual
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.75 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 483
38. Culver’s
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.78 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 732
37. Longhorn Steakhouse
> Menu category: Steak
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.87 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 530
Source: J. Michael Jones / Getty Images
36. Zaxby’s
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $1.89 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 910
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
35. Hardee’s
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.02 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,820
Source: hapabapa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
34. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
> Menu category: Sandwiches
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.11 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,787
Source: ElsvanderGun / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
33. The Cheesecake Factory
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.18 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 206
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. Cracker Barrel
> Menu category: Family style
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.48 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 660
Source: Laslovarga / Wikimedia Commons
31. Red Lobster
> Menu category: Seafood
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.49 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 679
Source: typhoonski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. Whataburger
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.56 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 830
Source: sshepard / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
29. Outback Steakhouse
> Menu category: Steak
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.64 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 724
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
28. Papa John’s
> Menu category: Pizza
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.64 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 3,142
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
27. Denny’s
> Menu category: Family style
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $2.69 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,558
Source: chapin3 / Getty Images
26. Texas Roadhouse
> Menu category: Steak
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.02 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 553
Source: ivanastar / Getty Images
25. IHOP
> Menu category: Family style
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.27 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,710
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Jack in the Box
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.50 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,243
24/7 Wall St.
Source: sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. Chili’s Grill & Bar
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.56 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,242
22. Buffalo Wild Wings
> Menu category: Sports bar
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.67 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,206
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. Dairy Queen
> Menu category: Frozen desserts
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.76 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 4,381
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Little Caesars
> Menu category: Pizza
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.81 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 4,327
Source: jetcityimage / Getty Images
19. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.81 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,476
Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images
18. Arby’s
> Menu category: Sandwiches
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.88 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 3,359
17. Panda Express
> Menu category: Asian/noodle
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $3.95 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,209
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. Applebee’s
> Menu category: Varied
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $4.09 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 1,665
Source: njpPhoto / Getty Images
15. Olive Garden
> Menu category: Italian/pizza
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $4.23 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 866
Source: jetcityimage / Getty Images
14. KFC
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $4.55 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 4,065
13. Sonic Drive-In
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $4.67 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 3,526
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/86530412@N02/
12. Chipotle Mexican Grill
> Menu category: Mexican
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $5.51 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,584
Source: Daniel Oines / Flickr
11. Pizza Hut
> Menu category: Pizza
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $5.56billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 7,306
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
10. Panera Bread
> Menu category: Bakery café
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $5.89 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,160
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Domino’s
> Menu category: Pizza
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $7.04 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 6,126
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images
8. Dunkin’
> Menu category: Coffee café
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $9.23 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 9,630
Source: AWSeebaran / Getty Images
7. Wendy’s
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $9.76 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 5,852
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
6. Subway
> Menu category: Sandwiches
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $10.20 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 23,801
Source: David Silverman / Getty Images
5. Burger King
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $10.20 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 7,346
Source: Joshua Blanchard / Getty Images
4. Taco Bell
> Menu category: Mexican
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $11.23 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 6,766
3. Chick-fil-A
> Menu category: Chicken
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $11.32 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 2,470
Source: DKart / Getty Images
2. Starbucks
> Menu category: Coffee café
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $21.38 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 15,049
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
1. McDonald’s
> Menu category: Burgers
> Total sales in the US in 2019: $40.41 billion
> Number of restaurants in US: 13,846
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