11 Most Successful Fast Food Chains In The World

We all have to eat to survive, and chances are we’ve all been to some of the most successful fast food chains in the world to curb our appetites.

Even if you hate fast food, you probably also kind of love fast food. Most people really do. It’s not just the convenience of ordering and receiving food in less than five minutes; it’s also the food itself, even though you know deep down it’s actually pretty disgusting. Yet I’ll still get McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)‘s french fries and I probably will until I die, because they’re just that good. I doubt there’s ever going to be a time when fast food falls out of fashion. Even when it comes to how unhealthy the food is, most chains are trying to combat that somewhat by displaying calorie counts or offering healthier options. I don’t know how healthy a salad from Burger King could possibly be, but it’s the sentiment that counts.

Copyright: photopips / 123RF Stock Photo

Certain fast food chains are obviously more popular than others. Some of this has to do with the fact that there are many that are regional. For example, In-N-Out is mainly a West Coast establishment and Whataburger is primarily in the south. They’re regionally popular, but not overall when it comes to national and international sales. That’s something to keep in mind when looking at this list — just because your favorite isn’t on here doesn’t mean it’s not special. It’ll always be special in your heart. Building a chain restaurant is simply a challenge and takes some time, and there is intense competition in the space. You have to ensure that the risk will be worthwhile. The fast food chains that made our list took the risk and it paid off.

If you’re a foodie and want to take a dive into the industry, try taking a look at some cool and unique food truck ideas.

In order to create this list of most successful fast food chains in the world, we found sales statistics for inside the U.S and outside the U.S from QSR to find out what the most successful chains in each category are. We took the total number of system-wide sales from each of those lists and added them together to get a total figure for international sales. We then arranged them in ascending order, so the fast food chain that has the most system-wide sales internationally is at the top of the list.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the most successful fast food chains in the world.

11. Dairy Queen – Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A)

System-wide Sales: $3.64 billion

The first Dairy Queen was opened in Illinois on June 22, 1940. Today, there are more than 6,400 restaurants in 27 countries. The chain’s menu consists of ice cream, milkshakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, fries, drinks, and more. It’s one of the most famous chains not only in the U.S, but around the world, as evidenced by its billions in annual sales. Dairy Queen is a subsidiary of Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A).

Suphatthra China/Shutterstock.com

10. Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ)

System-wide Sales: $7.00 billion

Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ) was founded in 1960 and there are now more than 8,000 Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ) restaurants in 82 countries. It’s the second largest pizza franchise in the world.

Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com

9. Dunkin Donuts – Dunkin Brands Group Inc (NASDAQ:DNKN)

System-wide Sales: $7.76 billion

Dunkin’ Donuts, owned by Dunkin Brands Group Inc (NASDAQ:DNKN), is based in Boston and was opened in 1950. The chain now has more than 12,000 locations in 36 countries. You can stop there for baked goods, coffees, sandwiches, and other specialty drinks.

Ken Wolter/Shutterstock.com

8. Taco Bell – Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)

System-wide Sales: $8.50 billion

Taco Bell is based in Irvine, California and was opened on March 21, 1962. It now serves more than 2 billion people at its 7,000 restaurants. Many would argue that the food here isn’t authentic, but when the tacos are so cheap, does it really matter? Taco Bell is owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), the restaurant division spun off by PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) in 1997.

Jeramey Lende/Shutterstock.com

7. Wendys Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

System-wide Sales: $9.50 billion

The first Wendys Co (NASDAQ:WEN) was opened on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio. Today, Wendys Co (NASDAQ:WEN) is the third-largest hamburger restaurant chain in the world with more than 6,500 locations.

Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com

6. Pizza Hut – Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)

System-wide Sales: $10.30 billion

Pizza Hut is the largest pizza franchise in the world, with over 15,000 locations. It was founded on June 15, 1958 in Wichita, Kansas.

withGod / Shutterstock.com

5. Burger King – Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR)

System-wide Sales: $14.84 billion

Burger King was founded in 1953 and there are now more than 15,738 locations around the world. It’s the second-largest hamburger chain in the world, and one of the most successful fast food chains in the world. Burger King is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR), which also owns Tim Hortons.

Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com

4. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)

System-wide Sales: $14.98 billion

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) was founded in Seattle, Washington on March 31, 1971. It’s one of the most famous coffee houses in the world, with more than 24,464 locations where you can get coffee, smoothies, teas, baked goods, and other specialty items. If you’ve been outside lately, you’ve probably seen at least three Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) in the span of a few minutes.

Copyright: buschmen / 123RF Stock Photo

3. Subway

System-wide Sales: $16.50 billion

Subway was founded on August 28, 1965 and now has more than 44,834 locations in 112 countries. You can get a wide variety of sandwiches and flatbreads there.

Settawat Udom / Shutterstock.com

2. KFC – Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM)

System-wide Sales: $18.90 billion

Completing the Yum Brands’ trifecta of restaurants is KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, which has been in operation since March 20, 1930. Today, there are more than 20,000 KFC locations in 123 countries.

Nils Versemann / Shutterstock.com

1. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

System-wide Sales: $80.43 billion

It’s not shocking that McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is at the top of our list. The first McDonald’s was opened on May 15, 1940 and today there are more than 36,899 locations in 120 countries. McDonald’s serves about 68 million customers per day, which explains the astronomical sales and success of the chain.

saknakorn / Shutterstock.com

That concludes our list of the most successful fast food chains in the world. If it made you hungry to read about these, maybe you can stop into one for a meal today. There are so many locations, you’re bound to find at least one!

Disclosure: None