Most popular restaurant chains in the United States

In 2019, McDonald's was the leading restaurant chain in the United States and the most valuable quick-service restaurant brand worldwide. With an estimated brand value of approximately 129 billion U.S. dollars and annual sales of over 40 billion U.S. dollars, the global fast-food giant surpassed all other leading burger franchises, including Burger King and Wendy's. In terms of sales, the company also outperformed the most successful fine dining chains in the country. Overall, quick-service restaurants (QSR) have experienced steady revenue growth over the past few years following the ever-increasing consumer appetite for quick and affordable meals. Today, the number of QSR establishments stands at an all-time high, and while many locations had to close their doors at least temporarily in 2020, drive-thru and delivery infrastructures have enabled restaurants to resume operations during the pandemic.

The future of the U.S. restaurant industry: is takeout taking over?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the restaurant industry in the United States. While full-service restaurants faced competition before the pandemic due to the fast-food phenomenon and overall saturation of the market, the shift away from sit-down dining was accelerated even further as stay-home orders kept consumers from visiting dining rooms in 2020. Visits to full-service restaurants in the United States declined by almost 50 percent, whereas quick-service restaurants were not as severely affected. In light of this situation, small eateries and leading full-service restaurant chains like Applebee's expanded their digital presence and introduced delivery services to stay afloat. Today, the marketplace for food delivery and takeaway is soaring, a trend that will likely continue to influence restaurant operations and reshape the dining experience in the United States for years to come.

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