Output of the quick service restaurant franchise industry in the U.S. 2007-2024

The output of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise industry was estimated to reach 287.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Figures increased by around 40 billion U.S. dollars between 2016 and 2019, and the industry was forecast to strengthen over the following 12-month period. However, the industry saw a decrease in output in 2020, most likely as a result the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Franchised restaurants offer recipe for success

Output is a measurement that is comparable with revenue, referring to the total amount of money brought in from sales, before costs and expenses have been deducted. One of the reasons for the increase in output is the growing number of QSR franchise establishments in the U.S., rising from 191,673 in 2022 to an estimated 195,507 in 2023. More restaurants mean more employees: the sector has seen a general rise in employment, with positions filled by part-time, full-time, or self-employed individuals.

Burger and pizza categories the most popular among consumers

In terms of systemwide sales, McDonald’s is the leading QSR chain in the United States. The burger company generated around 48.67 billion U.S. dollars from restaurant sales in 2022. The QSR burger category is one of the largest within the industry, with the sales generated by McDonald’s a contributing factor. In 2023, consumer spending in the U.S. pizza industry reached approximately 41.3 billion U.S. dollars. Carryout orders accounted for around 20.2 billion U.S. dollars of that figure.