Global fast food giant Burger King generated approximately 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in revenue during the 2022 financial year. This figure reflects an increase over the previous year's total of 1.81 billion. The company's revenue peaked in 2009.

Burger King's whooping success

Founded in 1954, Burger King is a U.S.-based quick service burger restaurant chain that is also known by the abbreviation ‘BK’. Since the 1950’s Burger King evolved into an international brand with more than 19 thousand Burger King restaurants worldwide. Burger King also affirmed its position as one of the most valuable QSR chain worldwide in terms of brand value. It also ranked fifth in terms of the leading QSR chains with the most number of units in the United States.

COVID-19's impact on the fast food industry

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused unprecedented challenges in the QSR industry across the globe. Efforts to contain the spread of the virus caused restaurant chains to restrict its operations to take-out orders or delivery only, as indoor dining was not possible due to social distancing orders. In the United States, restaurant traffic to the fast food restaurants experienced a nearly 20 percent decline in restaurant traffic during this period.

World-famous fast food chain Burger King generated 1.45 billion U.S. dollars in revenue from its global operations during the 2024 financial year. The majority of the company's revenue came from its franchise and property segment, which totaled 731 million U.S. dollars. Burger King is a subsidiary of the multinational quick service holdings company Restaurant Brands International.

World famous burger fast food chain Burger King reported a net income amounting to roughly 1.01 billion from its global operations during the 2022 financial year. This shows a decrease compared to the previous year's total of 1.02 million U.S. dollars. Burger King is a subsidiary of the multinational quick service holdings company Restaurant Brands International.

Burger King India, now run under Restaurant Brands Asia Limited recorded over 40 percent of its revenue through its delivery channels in the third quarter of financial year 2024. Restaurant Brands Asia Limited is the QSR for Burger King in India since 2014. The company expanded to run brands including Tim Hortons, Popeye's, and Burger King in Indonesia.

Globally famous quick service restaurant chain Burger King operated and franchised a total of 19,789 restaurants worldwide in 2022. The vast majority of these, 19,739, were franchised. Only 50 units remain company-operated as more and more were replaced with franchised stores over the past ten years.

Growth of Burger King

Even though Burger King has reduced its number of company-operated restaurants, the overall number of locations has steadily increased since 2009. The worldwide expansion of the Florida-based company has contributed to it being amongst the most valuable quick service brands in the world with a brand value of over six billion U.S. dollars in 2021. In accordance with growing numbers of locations, the revenue of Burger King has also seen growth in the past 4 years, after gradually diminishing in the years before that. However, due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the restaurant chain's operations, Burger King's revenue declined in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Satisfaction remains unchanged

Despite the increase in locations and fluctuations in revenue, Burger King’s score on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) remained relatively consistent since 2018. The restaurant chain scored 75 points out of a possible 100 points in 2022, in overall customer satisfaction. This score fell by one point when compared to the previous year.

This graph presents the revenue of Burger King in Germany from 2005 to 2022. In 2022, the revenue of Burger King amounted to around 1.16 billion euros, an increase compared to 975 million euros the previous year.

Restaurant Brands operating income for the twelve months ending March 31, 2025 was $2.310B, a 7.54% increase year-over-year. Restaurant Brands annual operating income for 2024 was $2.419B, a 17.94% increase from 2023. Restaurant Brands annual operating income for 2023 was $2.051B, a 8.06% increase from 2022. Restaurant Brands annual operating income for 2022 was $1.898B, a 1.01% increase from 2021.

Over the past five years, burger restaurants have ridden a wave of success as consumers have been enjoying a rise in disposable income, feeding an increasing trend for dining out. Despite a highly competitive food service market, burger restaurants are the leading segment, particularly within the limited-service restaurant realm. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has taken a slight bite from burger demand. Demand was somewhat mitigated by a strong appetite for takeout food during lockdowns. With the easing of restrictions in 2021, industry revenue bounced back, resulting in an overall growth estimated at a CAGR of 2.8% to $166.1 billion over the five years to 2024, including a 2.0% growth in 2024 alone. Many burger restaurants have devised innovative measures in light of shifting consumer trends and intensifying competition. As people have become more health-conscious and have developed a taste for diverse ethnic and fusion cuisines, burger menus have had to be spruced up, and restaurants have started including more varied offerings beyond traditional hamburgers. Also, reducing product prices to stay competitive has hampered profit growth. Even then, the industry's profit has swelled over the years due to strengthening burger demand. Yet, burger restaurants might be headed for a rough patch. The economic expansion notwithstanding, the industry faces potential challenges. While diversifying and expanding their menu offerings can help burger restaurants fend off the adverse effects of shifting consumer tastes and rising competition, the industry is closing in on market saturation, forcing big chains to explore growth through mergers, acquisitions or international expansion. However, a slowing labor market and burgeoning interest in healthy eating could deter consumers from dining out at burger establishments. Overall, industry revenue will dip at an annualized rate of 1.4% over the five years to 2029, decreasing to $155.1 billion.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for people to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. Europe's well-established out-of-home dining scene and the public’s willingness to dine out have supported revenue expansion. Industry growth has been slowed by recent challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, severe inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 7.9% over the five years through 2025 to €488.1 billion, including an expected 3.5% climb in 2025. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth. However, this has also raised price competition and weighed on profit. Growing health awareness is a significant trend in the industry, encouraging restaurants and takeaways to roll out more healthy options. The industry has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic damaged dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Food companies have also grappled with severe inflationary pressures, which have eaten into profit and constrained consumer spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways. Companies raised prices to protect profit but were often unable to pass on cost increases in full due to intense competition and consumer price sensitivity. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.2% over the five years through 2030 to €690.6 billion. Improving consumer finances and increasingly busy lifestyles will fuel demand for convenient grab-and-go food, as well as fast-casual restaurants. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering, benefitting companies with delivery capabilities. Many will rely on food ordering platforms like Deliveroo to reach a wider consumer base. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus, including vegan, vegetarian and organic food offerings. Investment in technology will be key to enhancing efficiency and providing a better customer experience.

The global hamburger market is a substantial and dynamic sector, exhibiting strong growth potential. While precise figures for market size and CAGR are absent from the provided data, we can infer a robust market based on the listed companies and regional segmentation. Considering the prevalence of fast-food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's, coupled with the broad geographic reach encompassing North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, we can estimate the 2025 market size to be around $250 billion USD. This estimation considers the significant consumer demand for hamburgers across various demographics and the continuous expansion of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. A conservative Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2025 to 2033 is projected, driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes in emerging economies, increasing urbanization, and evolving consumer preferences towards convenient and readily available food options. This growth will be fueled by innovations in menu offerings, including premium burgers, vegetarian and vegan alternatives, and customized burger options. The market segmentation by type (chicken, beef, vegetarian, others) and application (takeout, dine-in) highlights the diverse consumption patterns and opportunities for market players to cater to specific consumer needs. Geographic factors, including regional variations in taste preferences and consumer spending power, will also play a crucial role in shaping the market's future trajectory. The competitive landscape, characterized by both established global players and local chains, underscores the ongoing battle for market share through aggressive marketing, product diversification, and strategic expansions. The hamburger market's future depends significantly on adapting to shifting consumer demands and maintaining operational efficiency. Growth will be influenced by factors such as fluctuating commodity prices (particularly beef), health and wellness trends (driving demand for healthier options like vegetarian burgers), and regulatory changes related to food safety and sustainability. Companies will need to invest in technology, such as improved delivery systems and digital ordering platforms, to stay competitive and meet evolving customer expectations. The continued expansion of QSR chains into new markets, particularly in developing countries, will further drive market expansion, though success will hinge upon adapting to local tastes and economic realities. Sustainability initiatives, focusing on sourcing ethically and reducing environmental impact, will also become increasingly important for maintaining a positive brand image and attracting environmentally conscious consumers.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for consumers to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. However, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and a challenging economic climate in the years since has suppressed spending on restaurants and takeaways. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 8% over the five years through 2024 to €339.6 billion, including an expected 4% drop in 2024. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth, though this has also raised price competition. The COVID-19 pandemic crippled dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Nevertheless, the boom in online food ordering limited revenue decline. Soaring inflation since 2022 has subdued consumer sentiment and disposable incomes, hindering spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways, holding back the industry’s recovery. Profitability has also weakened amid growing competition and higher operating costs. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2029 to €370.1 billion. Improving economic conditions will improve consumer sentiment and push up disposable incomes, driving spending on full-service restaurants and takeaways. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus.

In the last five years, the self-service restaurant sector has been characterised above all by increasing urbanisation, growing consumer health awareness and rising net household incomes. The coronavirus pandemic contributed to a significant slump in sales in 2020, causing industry turnover to fall by an average of 4.2% per year between 2019 and 2024. Thanks to the lifting of infection control measures, sales in self-service restaurants have been recovering since 2022. For the current year, turnover is expected to grow by 3% to €7.1 billion.In recent years, the market for traditional fast food chains has gradually become saturated, partly due to increasing health awareness. Instead, new market players specialising in healthier dishes and offering their customers an appealing ambience have shaped the industry's sales growth before and after the pandemic. This has been made possible in part by rising household net incomes, which have helped more consumers to afford the higher prices of these new industry players. As other catering sectors competing with this industry have also been able to benefit from rising household incomes, the competitive pressure on companies in this sector has increased. This in turn has prompted the leading fast food chains to expand their product range and offer vegetarian and vegan burgers as well as other meat-free dishes alongside salads in order to cater more closely to current consumer trends. During the pandemic, restaurant operators who had their own apps, delivery services or drive-ins were at an advantage, as contactless ordering and payment of meals was made much easier and the pandemic-related decline in sales was somewhat mitigated as a result. By 2029, industry sales are expected to grow by an average of 2.2% per year to €8 billion, which is primarily due to the success of new quick-service restaurant concepts. This is also likely to be reflected in an increasing number of businesses and employees in the self-service restaurant sector.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for people to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. Europe's well-established out-of-home dining scene and the public’s willingness to dine out have supported revenue expansion. Industry growth has been slowed by recent challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, severe inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 7.9% over the five years through 2025 to €488.1 billion, including an expected 3.5% climb in 2025. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth. However, this has also raised price competition and weighed on profit. Growing health awareness is a significant trend in the industry, encouraging restaurants and takeaways to roll out more healthy options. The industry has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic damaged dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Food companies have also grappled with severe inflationary pressures, which have eaten into profit and constrained consumer spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways. Companies raised prices to protect profit but were often unable to pass on cost increases in full due to intense competition and consumer price sensitivity. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.2% over the five years through 2030 to €690.6 billion. Improving consumer finances and increasingly busy lifestyles will fuel demand for convenient grab-and-go food, as well as fast-casual restaurants. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering, benefitting companies with delivery capabilities. Many will rely on food ordering platforms like Deliveroo to reach a wider consumer base. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus, including vegan, vegetarian and organic food offerings. Investment in technology will be key to enhancing efficiency and providing a better customer experience.

A weak spending environment amid economic headwinds casts a shadow over industry performance. Squeezed budgets amid the cost-of-living crisis were a double-edged sword for takeaways and fast-food restaurants over the two years through 2023-24: some consumers cut back on takeaways, while others traded down from full-service restaurants to takeaways and fast food. Inflationary pressures resulted in hikes in labour, energy and sourcing costs, straining profitability. Those with higher disposable incomes have been less impacted, demanding higher quality and healthier options, typically with a higher price tag. Subsiding inflation and growing consumer confidence support spending in 2024-25, though economic uncertainty persists and limits growth. Revenue is projected to drop at a compound annual growth rate of 0.8% over the five years through 2024-25, reflecting ongoing challenges. However, forecast growth of 2.1% in 2024-25 suggests a rebound in the industry as cost-of-living pressures subside. The surge of online food ordering has fuelled revenue growth. While online sales peaked during the pandemic, consumers drawn to convenience have become accustomed to ordering takeaways and fast food online. The development of state-of-the-art online platforms and third-party online ordering platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats are becoming the bread and butter for takeaway and fast-food outlets, encouraging new players into the industry. Britons' growing health and sustainability consciousness presents an opportunity for takeaway and fast-food businesses to introduce more expensive organic and meat-free menu items to boost revenue and profit. Britons’ tastes for healthy and sustainable takeaway options will continue to climb. Stricter legislation regarding the adverse effects of consuming junk food will promote product development innovation and healthy fast-food alternatives, driving additional revenue streams. As workers return to the office more permanently, demand for takeaway lunch options will swell. Fast food chains will pump money into aggressive expansion plans to secure market share and streamline costs. Investment in marketing will likely swell as operators turn to social media and online advertising to attract younger consumers and secure long-term revenues. Spending on innovation will persist as major players leverage AI and technology advancements to differentiate themselves from competitors and further demand. Revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.9% to £26.6 billion over the years through 2029-30.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for consumers to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. However, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and a challenging economic climate in the years since has suppressed spending on restaurants and takeaways. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 8% over the five years through 2024 to €339.6 billion, including an expected 4% drop in 2024. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth, though this has also raised price competition. The COVID-19 pandemic crippled dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Nevertheless, the boom in online food ordering limited revenue decline. Soaring inflation since 2022 has subdued consumer sentiment and disposable incomes, hindering spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways, holding back the industry’s recovery. Profitability has also weakened amid growing competition and higher operating costs. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2029 to €370.1 billion. Improving economic conditions will improve consumer sentiment and push up disposable incomes, driving spending on full-service restaurants and takeaways. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for people to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. Europe's well-established out-of-home dining scene and the public’s willingness to dine out have supported revenue expansion. Industry growth has been slowed by recent challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, severe inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 7.9% over the five years through 2025 to €488.1 billion, including an expected 3.5% climb in 2025. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth. However, this has also raised price competition and weighed on profit. Growing health awareness is a significant trend in the industry, encouraging restaurants and takeaways to roll out more healthy options. The industry has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic damaged dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Food companies have also grappled with severe inflationary pressures, which have eaten into profit and constrained consumer spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways. Companies raised prices to protect profit but were often unable to pass on cost increases in full due to intense competition and consumer price sensitivity. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.2% over the five years through 2030 to €690.6 billion. Improving consumer finances and increasingly busy lifestyles will fuel demand for convenient grab-and-go food, as well as fast-casual restaurants. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering, benefitting companies with delivery capabilities. Many will rely on food ordering platforms like Deliveroo to reach a wider consumer base. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus, including vegan, vegetarian and organic food offerings. Investment in technology will be key to enhancing efficiency and providing a better customer experience.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for consumers to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. The well-established out-of-home dining scene in Europe, coupled with European’s willingness to dine out, has supported revenue expansion. Industry growth has been slowed by recent challenges stemming from the COVID19 pandemic, severe inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 8% over the five years through 2025 to €488.1 billion, including an expected 3.5% climb in 2025. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth, though this has also raised price competition and weighed on profit. Growing health awareness is a significant trend in the industry, encouraging restaurants and takeaways to roll out more healthy options. The industry has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic crippled dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Food companies have also grappled with severe inflationary pressures, which have eaten into profit and constrained consumer spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways. Companies raised prices to protect profit, but were often unable to pass on cost increases in full due to intense competition and consumer price-sensitivity. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.2% over the five years through 2030 to €690.6 billion. Improving consumer finances and increasingly busy lifestyles will fuel demand for convenient grab-and-go food, as well as fast-casual restaurants. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering, benefitting companies with delivery capabilities, while many will rely on food ordering platforms like Deliveroo to reach a wider consumer base. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus, including vegan, vegetarian and organic food offerings. Investment in technology will be key in enhancing efficiency and providing a better customer experience.

The European restaurants and takeaways market has enjoyed strong demand from consumers seeking varied dining options to suit their busy lifestyles. There’s a huge number of food establishments for consumers to visit, providing various cuisines from all over the world. The well-established out-of-home dining scene in Europe, coupled with European’s willingness to dine out, has supported revenue expansion. Industry growth has been slowed by recent challenges stemming from the COVID19 pandemic, severe inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Revenue is forecast to contract at a compound annual rate of 8% over the five years through 2025 to €488.1 billion, including an expected 3.5% climb in 2025. Consumer habits and strong income levels encourage European consumers to frequent restaurants and order takeaways. The convenience of ordering tasty dishes to doorsteps has also fuelled demand, with platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat reporting strong growth, though this has also raised price competition and weighed on profit. Growing health awareness is a significant trend in the industry, encouraging restaurants and takeaways to roll out more healthy options. The industry has rebounded well since the COVID-19 pandemic crippled dine-in revenue as restrictions kept consumers at home, shifted work patterns and drastically reduced tourism. Food companies have also grappled with severe inflationary pressures, which have eaten into profit and constrained consumer spending on pricey restaurants and takeaways. Companies raised prices to protect profit, but were often unable to pass on cost increases in full due to intense competition and consumer price-sensitivity. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.2% over the five years through 2030 to €690.6 billion. Improving consumer finances and increasingly busy lifestyles will fuel demand for convenient grab-and-go food, as well as fast-casual restaurants. A preference for convenience will continue to support online food ordering, benefitting companies with delivery capabilities, while many will rely on food ordering platforms like Deliveroo to reach a wider consumer base. Evolving consumer tastes and intense competition will stimulate the introduction of new, healthier food options to menus, including vegan, vegetarian and organic food offerings. Investment in technology will be key in enhancing efficiency and providing a better customer experience.