In this article, we will be covering the top 5 countries with the highest fast food consumption. If you want to go through our detailed analysis of the fast food industry and consumption trends, go directly to the Top 20 Countries With Highest Fast Food Consumption.
5. Austria
With both local and international chains operating within the country, Austria has a history of fast food. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) for example is, by now, widespread, but the first one opened in the late 1970s in Vienna. While fast food consumption has increased in Austria over the years, it is important to note that traditional Austrian cuisine and dining culture still hold significant importance.
4. Sweden
Fast food consumption in Sweden is notably high, and this has resulted in significant consequences. A large proportion of the Swedish population grapples with obesity or being overweight, largely attributed to the excessive consumption of fast food. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), the leading fast-food chain, holds a dominant position in the Swedish market, accounting for 28% of the market share as of 2021.
3. France
While more than half of the French enjoy eating in fast food restaurants, these establishments attract more parents with young children and young people since an overwhelming majority of 18-24-year-olds frequented fast food establishments, compared to 50 percent of those aged over 50. While the fast food industry performed well in France in recent years, 2020 marked a break, as the Covid-19 pandemic led to many establishments closing their doors to the public for months on end.
2. United Kingdom
While fast food restaurants in the United Kingdom may not be as abundant as in the United States, the industry has experienced consistent growth over the last decade. However, the year 2021 witnessed a decline in the market size of the UK’s fast food and takeaway industry, reaching 18.9 billion British pounds ($24.16 billion), primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the fast food buying frequency in Great Britain remained relatively stable from July 2019 to January 2022. As of January 2022, approximately 12% of Brits reported that they ate fast food once a week.
1. United States
Unsurprisingly, the United States ranks first on our list of the countries with the highest fast food consumption. According to a study, 43.7% of Americans ate fast food at lunch and 42% at dinner, while spending more than $1,200 on fast food annually. As of June 2022, the fast food industry in the United States held a significant value of approximately $331.4 billion, accounting for slightly more than one-third of the overall global fast food market.
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