Consumer spending in the quick service restaurant sector in the U.S. 2004-2023

The quick service restaurant sector (QSR) in the United States has seen a near year-over-year growth since 2004, with its peak consumer spending exceeding 349 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Consumer spending in this sector saw a notable decline in 2020, however, as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Fast food industry in the U.S. - additional information

Quick service restaurants (QSRs) are fast food restaurants, set apart from full service or table restaurants by their limited menus, minimal table service and, as their name implies, fast service. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) carried out in 2023, the quick service restaurant chain in the United States with the highest ACSI score was Chick-fil-A. With a score of 85 out of 100. McDonald’s scored the lowest with a score of 69. 

Is McDonald's the largest QSR chain?

Despite McDonald's low score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index, McDonald’s was the largest fast food company worldwide in terms of brand value in 2022. That year, the company generated a global brand value of almost 196.5 billion U.S. dollars. McDonald's closest competitor in terms of brand value was Starbucks, with 61.7 billion U.S. dollars. KFC followed with 22.2 billion U.S. dollars.