Leading quick service restaurant chains in the U.S. in 2021, by number of units

Subway was the quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain with the most stores in the United States in 2021. The sandwich chain had 21,147 locations across the country, which was nearly six thousand more than any other QSR chain.

Subway staying afloat despite store closures

As part of a plan to have the best restaurants in the best locations, the number of Subway units in the United States decreased by 997 between 2018 and 2019. In the past, the company focused on opening more stores because of the money it made from franchise royalties and fees. However, in an attempt to halt declining restaurant sales, some franchise store owners have been asked to redesign, relocate, or even close their units.

Subway sandwiched between Starbucks and Taco Bell

The terms quick-service restaurant and fast-food restaurant are interchangeable: they are stores that do not have table service, require customers to order and pay for their food at a counter, and to collect the order themselves once it is ready. Despite falling figures, Subway was still ranked among the leading QSR chains in the United States in terms of sales in 2021 – the company generated around five billion U.S. dollars more than its nearest competitor in the sandwich category, Arby's. Other QSR categories include pizza, burger, and chicken.