List of Largest Fast Food Restaurant Chains Worldwide | Top 10 Restaurant Chains
Apr 15, 2024 | By Startup Rise EU
Top 10 restaurant chains whose successful business strategies and large international clientele have enabled them to develop into billion-dollar companies. These franchises have extended their reach worldwide, serving a diverse range of markets and countries while upholding high standards for both product and service quality.
1. Starbucks
Restaurant | Starbucks |
Valuation (App.) | $60.7 Billion |
Headquarters | Seattle, WA |
Starbucks was founded in 1971 and headquartered in Seattle, WA, Starbucks is one of the most well-known restaurant brands in the world. Starbucks has a large selection of food items and drinks, such as pastries, coffee, tea, juices, hot and cold beverages, and snacks.
Sales from company-operated locations, royalties, equipment and product sales to licence partners, packaged coffee, single-serve items and ready-to-drink beverages are some of the ways the company makes money. It wants to establish itself as the leading coffee brand and retailer in its target markets by offering superior products and first-rate customer care that fosters steadfast consumer loyalty.
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It aims to become the top specialty coffee retailer by growing its market share in current markets through store development and by breaking into new markets.
2. McDonald's
Restaurant | McDonald's |
Valuation (App.) | $38.0 Billion |
Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
McDonald's was Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, McDonald's is well-known for its cheeseburgers, hamburgers, and french fries. In addition to other menu items including chicken, fish, salads, and fruit.
McDonald's has developed into a well-liked family restaurant that appeals to both adults and children, serving almost 68 million people every day across 118 countries. It has also become a dominant player in the quick-service restaurant industry.
The business makes money by franchising its quick food items to franchisees who rent McDonald's facilities. With rent and royalties from franchisees, this business model guarantees a steady and predictable revenue stream. At the same time, running costs are kept relatively low, which boosts profitability.
3. KFC
Restaurant | KFC |
Valuation (App.) | $14.2 Billion |
Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky |
The American fast-food restaurant business KFC Corporation, usually referred to as Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC, is well-known for its fried chicken products. with Louisville, Kentucky, serving as its headquarters.
After McDonald's, KFC is the second-biggest restaurant chain in the world in terms of sales. Colonel Harland Sanders founded KFC in 1952 with the goal of providing fast-food customers with tasty, convenient meals while putting an emphasis on efficiency and prompt service. Restaurant sales, franchise fees, and royalties/advertising fees are the sources of revenue.
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Food preparation, restaurant management, and brand promotion are important tasks that are aided by vital resources including proprietary recipes, a strong supply chain, and customer devotion to the brand. KFC's marketing approach is to maintain its fundamental identity as a distributor of delectable and convenient meal alternatives while appealing to a wide range of consumers.
4. Subway
Restaurant | Subway |
Valuation (App.) | $7.2 Billion |
Headquarters | Milford, Connecticut |
Subway was founded by Fred DeLuca in 1965 and financed by Peter Buck, headquartered in Milford, Connecticut. Independent store operators pay the corporation upfront franchise fees and periodic royalties.
The "Eat Fresh" advertising slogan from Subway emphasises their dedication to using freshly baked bread and fresh ingredients that are made in front of customers by Subway Sandwich Artists to their exact specifications.
Over 37,000 locations worldwide and more than 100 countries of operation, Subway provides freshly produced salads, bowls, wraps and sandwiches. Franchisees are the ones who own and run Subway businesses.
5. Taco Bell
Restaurant | Taco Bell |
Valuation (App.) | $7.1 Billion |
Headquarters | Irvine, CA, |
Taco Bell was Founded by Glen Bell in 1962 and headquartered in Irvine, CA, Taco Bell is a fast-food restaurant chain with a focus on dishes with Mexican influences. It is known for its imaginative and distinctive menu items, such the Doritos Locos Tacos, which have a taco shell constructed from Nacho Cheese Doritos. The restaurant has a varied menu that includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and more.
It is a quick-service restaurant (QSR) that places an emphasis on price, quickness, and convenience. The company's restaurants sell food and drinks, but it also offers franchises to independent business owners who want to run Taco Bell locations under its name and business plan. This is how the majority of its revenue is made.
6. Domino's Pizza
Restaurant | Domino's Pizza |
Valuation (App.) | $6.1 Billion |
Headquarters | Ann Arbor, MI. |
Domino's Pizza was Founded by James Monaghan in 1960 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI. With more than 90 countries under its belt, Domino's caters to a sizable clientele and ships almost three million pizzas every day. Domino's is a well-known international brand that leads the pizza delivery industry globally, with a network of both company-owned and franchised locations.
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Pizza sales, both online and offline, are the company's main source of income, making up the majority of its total revenue. Pizzas of all shapes, sizes, and toppings are available at Domino's, along with a selection of drinks.
Franchise fees and delivery fees are two further sources of income. Clients can choose from a wide variety of pizza items that are tailored to meet individual preferences and ethnic interests.
7. Tim Hortons
Restaurant | Tim Hortons |
Valuation (App.) | $5.9 Billion |
Headquarters | Toronto, Canada |
Tim Hortons was Founded in 1964 by Jonah Collins, Jim Charade, Ron Joyce Sr., and Tim Horton and headquartered in Toronto, Canada. With 5,701 locations spread throughout 13 countries as of September 2023, Tim Hortons is the largest quick-service restaurant business in Canada, well-known for its coffee, donuts, sandwiches, and other fast-food products.
The company uses a franchise business model in which restaurant locations are owned and operated by individual franchisees. While franchisees handle day-to-day operations including personnel, inventory management, and customer service, Tim Hortons offers support and resources, including marketing, training, and supply chain management.
8. Burger King
Restaurant | Burger King |
Valuation (App.) | $5.2 Billion |
Headquarters | Miami, Florida |
Burger King was founded in 1953 by Keith Cramer and his stepfather Matthew Burns in Jacksonville, Florida, and headquartered in Miami, Florida. The organisation makes sure there is something for everyone with a varied menu that accommodates different consumer tastes.
It offers to a wider range of customers and accommodates dietary preferences by providing options other than burgers, such as salads, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items. The business makes money from a variety of sources, such as sales through its restaurants and property rentals. However, franchise fees account for a sizable amount of company revenue.
9. Pizza Hut
Restaurant | Pizza Hut |
Valuation (App.) | $5.1 Billion |
Headquarters | Plano, Texas |
Pizza Hutwas Founded in 1958 by Dan Carney and Frank Carney, and headquartered in Plano, Texas. Pizza Hut wants to swiftly and effectively serve distinctive, premium pizza and related food items to all of its consumers globally, both in its restaurants and by delivery.
In addition to producing excellent pizzas, pastas, and side dishes, Pizza Hut also creates novel products and regionally-specific pizza toppings in order to satisfy its wide range of foreign patrons.
The company's restaurant operations and food and drink sales provide revenue. purchases fees, which are collected directly from customers at the point of sale and include purchases through the company's network of restaurants and online ordering platforms, account for the majority of its revenue. Pizza Hut also makes money by leasing and franchising its properties to other companies.
10. Chipotle
Restaurant | Chipotle |
Valuation (App.) | $4.9 Billion |
Headquarters | Denver, Colorado |
Chipotle was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells and headquartered headDenver, Colorado, Famous for its "build-your-own" philosophy, Chipotle lets patrons customise their meals with an assortment of toppings. Tacos, bowls, and Mission burritos prepared to order in front of customers are the restaurant's specialties. T
he main sources of income for Chipotle include the sales of food and drink items, gift cards, delivery services, and catering. Furthermore, the business periodically partners with other companies or sponsors events to launch temporary menu items or promotions that draw in new clients and increase sales for a set amount of time.