The market is expanding steadily due to rising customer preference for ready meals, convenience foods, cold cuts, and on-the-go snacks. The demand for fast food increased as millennials managed busy schedules and working populations expanded internationally. The fast food business will experience global growth thanks to this development. Research indicates that consumer spending on home-based food consumption has experienced an upward trend over the past few years. The worldwide growth of employment stands as a supporting element to this trend. People can now consume on-the-go foods with greater convenience because of this trend.
Top 10 Fast Food Chains in the USA
Subway
Subway is the biggest fast food company in the United States, offering submarine sandwiches and salads that are easy to modify. Subway was started in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as Pete’s Super Submarines. It became Subway in 1968 and expanded through franchising while maintaining a policy of low prices and menu simplicity.
USP: New, tailored, and more nutritious concepts for fast foods. Currently, Subway’s tagline is “Eat Fresh,” which always reminds the public about its ‘fresh’ product offers and customized sandwiches.
Expansion Strategy: Direction in selecting the idea to work with small regional outlets in different areas like airports, schools, and convenience stores. Recent techniques embraced include changes in Meals and the modernization of stores to access the youthful market.
- Number of Locations: 20,484
- States Present: 51 (including territories)
- Cities Present: 6,660
- Subway has the most locations, making it dominant in urban and rural areas.
California is the United States’ top market for Subway restaurants, where 2,002 outlets create a 10% share of the company’s nationwide presence. The large population combined with the diversity of consumers in the state leads California to have one Subway outlet for every 19,736 inhabitants. Texas holds second place among states with 1,813 Subway stores locations, representing 9% of the Subway chain while maintaining a denser distribution because there is one store for every 15,993 residents. Florida is the third largest state for Subway, with 1,189 stores accounting for 6% of the total and maintaining one store for every 18,064 people, thus demonstrating a substantial Subway footprint but less dense than California and Texas.
Starbucks
Starbucks is the number one coffeehouse chain, serving excellent coffee, food, and drinks in a pleasant, social setting. Starbucks, or Starbucks Coffee, was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker in Seattle, Washington. Initially, the company began as a coffee bean seller. After Howard Schultz bought the organization in 1987, it metamorphosed into a coffeehouse chain.
USP: Specialty coffee, variety, quality, and a comfortable café setting.
Expansion Strategy: Sustaining its present strategy of technology advancement (mobile ordering, loyalty concern) and operations growth in world markets. Starbucks also focuses on the environment and the development of vegan products on the company’s menu.
- Number of Locations: 15,270
- States Present: 52
- Cities Present: 3,535
- Starbucks, known for its coffee and beverages, is the second-largest food chain and has a vast presence, especially in metropolitan areas.
California takes the lead for Starbucks with its 3,175 locations, constituting 19% of the company’s US store portfolio. Considering its massive population along with deep coffee-drinking traditions in the state leads to a concentration of Starbucks stores at a rate of one store per 12,445 people. Texas is the second largest market behind California, where Starbucks operates 1,454 stores because of its wide customer base, yet the density remains at one store per 19,942 people. Florida maintains 914 Starbucks locations spread throughout the state (5%) while maintaining a store density of one for every 23,499 people, showing a slightly reduced density than Texas and California.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s Corporation is an international fast food chain famous for its hamburgers, French fries, and fast food systems. Founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, McDonald’s was converted into a franchise brand by Ray Kroc in 1955.
USP: Faster, faster, and cheaper with the addition of the clients’ brand recognition. Some of the inventions are drive-throughs and specials like Mc Rib.
Expansion Strategy: Emphasis on technological advancement (digital kiosk and mobile applications), menu innovation (adding healthier products and increased plant-based products), and global expansion.
- Number of Locations: 13,598
- States Present: 54
- Cities Present: 5,066
- McDonald’s ranks third, offering its iconic fast-food menu across a widespread network.
McDonald’s maintains a large restaurant presence in California through its 1,221 locations, which account for 9% of nationwide McDonald’s numbers. Texas follows closely with 1,186 locations, which compose another 9%. Texas shows greater McDonald’s prominence than California due to having one store per 24,449 population, while California has one for every 32,360 inhabitants. Florida holds the third spot with 878 McDonald’s locations, which totaled 6% of the overall units, while one restaurant exists for every 24,462 Texans, much like the saturation level seen in Texas.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ – a fast-food restaurant serving coffee, donuts, and breakfast foods—is perfect for customers on the go. William Rosenberg started Dunkin Donuts in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it mainly sold coffee and donuts. It changed its name to “Dunkin’” in 2019 because of the expansion of its menu.
USP: Fresh coffee and diverse, cheap breakfast products for Kent or students.
Expansion Strategy: New stores in large suburbs and abroad, innovation in the menu (cold brands, meatless products), new drive-thru restaurants.
- Number of Locations: 9,731
- States Present: 45
- Cities Present: 3,321
- Dunkin’ Donuts is popular for its coffee and donuts, mainly concentrated in the northeastern United States.
New York tops the Dunkin’ Donuts market by operating 1,439 locations, representing 15% of the company’s total US presence. Dunkin’ maintains its powerful position in northeastern states because it serves one store for every 13,519 residents within the region, which extends through New York. Massachusetts, where Dunkin’ Donuts first originated, stands flas Dunkin”s home base, with 1,038 stores representing 11% of the entire Dunkin’ chain while having one store per 6,641 residents, which highlights the brand’s significant position within the local culture. Florida maintains the third position with 917 outlets across 9% of Dunkin’s locations and shows rising consumer interest outside the established regions.
Hunt Brothers Pizza
Hunt Brothers Pizza is a fast and cheap pizza chain dominated by convenience stores and service station stores. The chain was established in 1991 by the Hunt brothers in Nashville, Tennessee, and expanded to include non-traditional conventional retail outlets.
USP: Some great, cheap, customizable options are available in precise places convenient for people.
Expansion Strategy: The company will continue to work with convenience stores and gas stations and expand into rural areas and underserved markets.
- Number of Locations: 9,703
- States Present: 36
- Cities Present: 4,356
- Hunt Brothers Pizza operates primarily through convenience stores and gas stations, giving it a unique distribution model.
Texas has the most Hunt Brothers Pizza stores among all American states through its 1,041 locations, representing 11% of the Hunt Brothers Pizza chain. The state has a moderate store density because it maintains one Hunt Brothers Pizza store for every 27,854 inhabitants. Alabama demonstrates strong market dominance through 998 locations (10%), but its store density reaches one store per 4,913 residents because of its intense presence in local areas. Georgia holds the third position with its 869 Hunt Brothers Pizza stores, constituting a 9% share of the total while maintaining a store density of one for every 12,217 people in the state.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a fast-food restaurant with a Mexican theme. Its key values are low prices and product differentiation. Glen Bell started Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, introducing Tex-Mex cuisine to the USA.
USP: Menu offerings of well-recognized products, such as the Crunchwrap Supreme and Doritos Locos Tacos, are cheap, colorful, and attractive to the youth.
Expansion Strategy: Increased market coverage, vegetarian products, technology-based ordering, and delivery system.
- Number of Locations: 8,016
- States Present: 51
- Cities Present: 3,571
- Known for its Mexican-inspired menu, Taco Bell ranks sixth.
California holds leadership status in the United States regarding Taco Bell restaurants by operating 880 stores out of the national total of 8087 restaurants, which amounts to 11%. While California maintains many Taco Bell restaurants, there is a lower density of these shops because each facility serves a population of approximately 44,900 people. Texas maintains 9% of all Taco Bell locations while having a better store density of one outlet for every 41,013 residents when compared to its state population. Florida holds the third position by hosting 482 Taco Bell locations (6%), which produces restaurant density equivalent to California by serving every 44,560 residents.
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s is the largest pizza chain famous for delivering pizzas swiftly and at reasonable quality. Established in 1960 by Tom Monaghan, Domino’s Pizza Company began in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and specialized in serving colleges before it expanded nationwide.
USP: The convenience of fast delivery, novelties like tracking numbers, and the ability to order online.
Expansion Strategy: Promoting the investment in digital technologies, broadening the delivery services, and focusing on new markets.
- Number of Locations: 6,985
- States Present: 52
- Cities Present: 3,613
- Domino’s stands out for its efficient delivery and carryout services.
Texas leads Domino’s store, which has 751 locations and represents 11% of the US chain. One Domino’s restaurant exists for every 38,610 state residents, indicating intense market penetration. California has 592 Domino’s outlets while maintaining one restaurant for every 66,743 residents despite its extensive territory. Florida occupies the third spot for Domino’s locations with 479 stores (7%) while maintaining a store density that allows one establishment for every 44,839 state residents.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut offers a variety of pizzas, pasta dishes, and wings as dinner delivery, dining, and carryout services. It was established in 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney in Wichita, Kansas, and expanded rapidly, mainly to serve families.
USP: Product diversification and focus on dine-in, a new product called stuffed crust pizzas.
Expansion Strategy: Improving operational effectiveness, fewer and fewer stores with delivery points, and growth in new countries.
- Number of Locations: 6,739
- States Present: 52
- Cities Present: 3,188
- Pizza Hut continues to be a major player in the pizza segment.
Texas maintains its leadership position as the US state with the greatest number of Pizza Hut restaurants, with 918 locations (14% of the total) and a density of one restaurant for every 31,586 inhabitants. California maintains 553 Pizza Hut restaurants (8%) despite having among the lowest store density, which stands at one location per 71,450 residents. Florida is the third largest state for Pizza Hut outlets, with 461 locations and one restaurant for every 46,590 residents, demonstrating appropriate market saturation.
Burger King
Burger King sells hamburgers (prepared using flame grilling) and other fast foods. It was established in Miami, Florida, in 1954 by James McLamore and David Edgerton. Though it started as a franchise, the Burger King Whopper became its first famous product the following year.
USP: Cooking technique and well-known products like Whopper.
Expansion Strategy: More on value items, international coverage, and items with vegetable protein, such as the Impossible Whopper.
- Number of Locations: 6,718
- States Present: 51
- Cities Present: 3,263
- Burger King is recognized for its flame-grilled burgers and various menu options.
Texas maintains the leading position for Burger King restaurants nationwide through its 571 locations, representing 8% of the total outlets while achieving a density of one restaurant per 50,781 people. Florida maintains its position as second regarding B.K. locations with 515 restaurants (8%), and this density translates to one store for every 41,705 people. California stands at position three regarding Burger King establishments with 488 outlets but has lower density since each plant serves 80,967 residents.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is a fast-food restaurant that specializes in hamburgers and is most famous for its policy of serving burgers that have never been frozen. It was founded in 1969 and owned by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Initially, it featured square burgers and better-quality products.
USP: Higher quality ingredients and greater portions, more importantly, separate menus with no relevance to speed.
Expansion Strategy: Entering new domestic regions and pop-up stores, enlarging drive-thru facilities, aiming at breakfast and application orders.
- Number of Locations: 6,009
- States Present: 51
- Cities Present: 2,819
- Wendy’s is famous for its fresh, never-frozen beef and iconic Frosty desserts.
Florida holds the top position nationwide for Wendy’s outlets, with 513 locations accounting for 9% of all Wendy’s restaurants in the United States. Florida demonstrates a high Wendy’s density because there is one restaurant for every 41,867 residents. Texas has 466 Wendy’s locations, which account for 8% of the Wendy’s chain, but there is one restaurant for every 62,223 people who reside in Texas. Ohio is the third state in Wendy’s restaurant presence, with 400 stores (7%) distributed across a population density of one Wendy’s for every 29,222 people, indicating intense Midwest region penetration.
Conclusion
The American fast food sector maintains its market development due to changing consumer behavior, technological developments, and heightened marketplace competition. The company aims to grow by establishing franchises across different markets, developing plant-based protein choices, and using technological improvements to optimize digital services and loyalty plans. Fast-food companies improve drive-thru efficiency and develop ghost kitchens and third-party delivery networks, thus increasing customer accessibility and building sustainability by improving their packaging methods. The fast-food industry possesses market potential through serving health-conscious customers and delivering multicultural cuisine with automatic processes, and it also needs subscription-based services to maintain client loyalty. The strategic application of these performance frameworks and adaptation to market changes enables fast food chains to preserve their sustainable operational development while maintaining industry competitiveness.
