Leading QSR burger chains in the U.S. in 2021, by systemwide sales

McDonald’s generated more revenue in systemwide sales than any other quick-service burger restaurant chain in the United States in 2021. The burger chain made 45.96 billion U.S. dollars in sales, which was around 30 billion U.S. dollars more than the next ranked burger chain, Wendy's.

Where does McDonald’s rank across the entire QSR industry?

McDonald’s was not only the leading quick-service burger restaurant chain in 2020, but it was also the leading chain across the entire quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry in the United States. In terms of numbers, McDonald’s had around 13,600 restaurant units in 2020, but the company ranked behind Starbucks and Subway. Chicken restaurant Chick-fil-A was the QSR chain that generated the most sales per unit in the United States in 2020.

How much is spent on pizza in the United States?

Consumer spending in the QSR industry remained high despite a drop in 2020. Spending totaled around 272 billion U.S. dollars during the year, with sales from burger, pizza, and chicken restaurants contributing significant amounts. Consumers spent nearly 38 billion U.S. dollars in quick-service pizza restaurants in the United States, making it the second-largest category within the QSR industry behind burger restaurants.