It is no mystery that fast food restaurants have steadily increased in popularity over the past years. But fast food chains aren’t big only in the USA and other western societies, as one may think. Numerous fast food chains have spread their influence in all corners of the world, ensuring that you can still enjoy a side of French Fries and your favorite burger anywhere you go.
We would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the 10 biggest fast food chains in the world, ranked according to their number of international venues. The figures used in the making of this countdown were taken from QSR magazine.
Curious to see if your favorite fast food restaurant has made the countdown? Let’s take a look.
No. 10: Papa John’s
No. of restaurants outside the US: 755
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $33.2 million
While Papa John’s has the lowest international revenue out of all fast food chains in our countdown, this pizza empire is working hard at expanding its overseas influence.
No. 9: Dairy Queen
Public Domain Image: Public Domain
No. of restaurants outside the US: 802
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $433. 1 million
Out of Dairy Queen’s 802 international restaurants, 500 are operating within Chinese territory. A further 100 are located in Mexico.
No. 8: Dunkin’ Donuts
No. of restaurants outside the US: 3,005
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $584.00 million
Out of Dunkin’ Donuts’ 3000 international restaurants, a whopping 900 were opened last year. This fast food chain may have only ranked 8th in our countdown, but the future is looking bright.
No. 7: Domino’s Pizza
No. of restaurants outside the US: 4,422
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $2,900.00 million
With restaurants opened in 60 countries, Domino’s Pizza is the sixth largest fast food chain in the world, and the second biggest pizza chain.
No. 6: Burger King
No. of restaurants outside the US: 4,998
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $6,200.00 million
Burger King is the third largest fast food chain in the US, but it is popular overseas as well. The fast food corporation has restaurants opened in more than 70 countries.
No. 5: Starbucks
No. of restaurants outside the US: 5,727
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: 2,288.8 million
Well, Starbucks’ bread and butter might not be exactly fast food, but rather “fast coffee”. Nonetheless, Starbucks is still one of the biggest chains of its kind in the world with restaurants opened in more than 50 countries.
No. 4: Pizza Hut
No. of restaurants outside the US: 5,890
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $4,800.00 million
KFC’s sister company – Pizza Hut – has almost 6,000 units outside US’s borders and is planning on opening more in the year to come. All of Pizza Hut’s international venues are owned by independent franchisees.
No. 3: Subway
No. of restaurants outside the US: 10, 109
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $4,600.00 million
All of you sandwich lovers out there should rejoice, as Subway has more than 10,000 restaurants opened in over 100 countries across the globe.
No. 2: KFC
Public Domain Image: Public Domain
No. of restaurants outside the US: 11,798
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $14,700.00 million
While it came second in our countdown, KFC is quite far behind our number one fast food chain, both in terms of revenue and number of international restaurants. More than 4,000 of its venues located outside the USA are scattered throughout China.
No. 1: McDonald’s
No. of restaurants outside the US: 18,710
Yearly revenue generated outside the US: $44,985.00 million
McDonald’s “golden arches” logo is undoubtedly the most recognized fast food brand in the world. With more than 18,000 international venues, you can rest assured that you can enjoy your Chicken McNuggets virtually anywhere in the world.