The United States is known as the home of fast food. But in this competitive market, what kind of fast food do consumers order the most? During a 2023 survey,****** emerged as the most frequently ordered fast food in the U.S., with ** percent of respondents indicating it as their top choice. Comparatively, only **** percent of participants reported TexMex as their most ordered type of fast food.

Employment statistics on the Global Fast Food Restaurants industry in Global

Number of Businesses statistics on the Fast Food Restaurants industry in United States

The Allegheny County Health Department has generated this list of fast food restaurants by exporting all chain restaurants without an alcohol permit from the County’s Fee and Permit System. A chain restaurant defined by the County is any restaurant that has more than one location in the County. Chain restaurants capture both local and national chains (including locally owned national chains) so long as there is one or more establishments in operation within the County.

According to a survey on fast food conducted in Indonesia in February 2023, around 73 percent of respondents stated that they ate fast food once a week. In comparison, 4.2 percent of respondents said that they ate fast food more than seven times a week.

This statistic shows the results of a survey conducted by Cint on the average number of times fast food from quick service restaurants was consumed per week in the United States between 2016 and 2018. In 2018, 29.42 percent of respondents in the United States stated they eat fast food less than once per week.

The United States fast food market reached 212.89 in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.20% between 2025 and 2034, reaching 321.24 by 2034.

During a survey carried out in Brazil in October 2019, ** percent of responding internet users stated they had bought food in McDonald's in the previous twelve months. During the same period, ** percent of respondents had been Burger King's clients while around *** out of ten Brazilians surveyed also reported to have consumed Subway sandwiches. Nevertheless, when asked about their plans for future fast-food consumption, all named restaurants could expect a decline in consumption intention among Brazilian online consumers. For instance, ** percent of respondents considered to buy food in McDonald's in the future. Meanwhile, ** and ** percent of respondents saw themselves as potential consumers of Burger King and Subway, respectively.

This statistic shows the most popular global fast food chains in the United States as of August 2014. During the survey, 12 percent of respondents selected Chick-Fil-A, making it the most popular fast food chain in the U.S.

In a 2013 market breakdown of fast food brands in the United States, McDonalds ranked first with a market share of 21.7 percent.

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Fast Food Market Size 2025-2029

The fast food market size is forecast to increase by USD 119.6 billion, at a CAGR of 3% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is witnessing significant shifts, driven by the increasing online presence of companies and the growing number of fast-food outlets. The digital transformation (Food management) of the industry is reshaping consumer behavior, with more individuals opting for contactless ordering and delivery options. Simultaneously, the proliferation of new outlets is intensifying competition, making it essential for players to differentiate their offerings. However, the market faces challenges as well.
Health concerns surrounding the excessive consumption of fast foods continue to mount, with consumers increasingly seeking healthier alternatives. As a result, companies must innovate to cater to this demand, introducing more nutritious options or reformulating existing menus. Navigating this delicate balance between convenience, affordability, and health will be crucial for market success.

What will be the Size of the Fast Food Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market dynamics shaping various sectors. Employee training and development are crucial for maintaining high-quality food production and customer service. Energy efficiency initiatives, such as optimizing kitchen equipment and implementing waste management systems, contribute to cost savings and sustainability. Nutritional information and health-conscious options cater to diverse customer demographics, while recycling programs and compostable packaging address growing concerns for the environment. Profit margins are influenced by inventory management and pricing strategies. Allergen information and food waste reduction programs ensure customer satisfaction and adherence to food safety regulations. Catering services and delivery options expand reach and convenience, while brand loyalty programs foster repeat business.

Chicken sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches remain popular menu items, with menu engineering and calorie counts shaping consumer choices. Digital marketing and advertising campaigns leverage social media to engage customers and promote new offerings. Sustainability initiatives, such as fair trade practices and local sourcing, enhance brand image and appeal to socially conscious consumers. Operating expenses, including labor costs, kitchen management software, and lease agreements, impact profitability. Franchise fees and franchise opportunities provide growth opportunities for entrepreneurs, while dietary restrictions and health inspections necessitate adaptability and compliance. Water conservation, real estate, data analytics, and supply chain management are essential areas of focus for long-term success.The market's continuous evolution requires ongoing adaptation and innovation.

How is this Fast Food Industry segmented?

The fast food industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Product

  Non-vegetarian fast food
  Vegetarian fast food


Service Type

  Eat-in
  Take away
  Home delivery
  Others


End-User

  Quick Service Restaurants
  Fast Casual Restaurants
  Others


Target Audience

  Youth
  Families
  Professionals


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada
    Mexico


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    Spain
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The non-vegetarian fast food segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the dynamic the market, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options cater to diverse consumer preferences. While non-vegetarian choices, including fish, seafood, chicken, beef, and more, continue to be popular due to their appetizing flavors and varying preparation methods, the demand for health-conscious options is on the rise. This trend is driven by the increasing awareness of nutritional values and the preference for low-calorie, high-protein meals. Social media marketing and digital platforms have become essential tools for fast food businesses to reach customers, with delivery services and mobile ordering further enhancing convenience. Compostable packaging and recycling programs are also gaining traction as part of sustainability initiatives.

Restaurant equipment, food safety regulations, and inventory management are crucial aspects of the industry, ensuring efficient kitchen operations and

As of mid-2024, there were nearly ** thousand fast-food establishments in Mexico, out of which more than ***** were located in the homonymous state. Jalisco was the Mexican state with the second largest number of outlets preparing this type of food, with around *****.

In the first quarter of 2023, consumers in the United States were surveyed on which fast food categories they ordered from the most. Across all age groups, pizza was the fast food that the highest percentage of respondents said they ordered the most. Meanwhile, a higher percentage of 18 to 34 year olds said that they ordered coffee and snacks the most, with 17 percent saying so, compared to 11 percent of 35 to 54 year olds and eight percent of those who were over 55.

The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) obtained the food permit list from the Baltimore City Health Department in August 2011, which includes all sites that sell food, such as stores, restaurants and temporary locations such as farmers' market stands and street carts. The restaurants were grouped into three categories, including full service restaurants, fast food chains and carryouts. Carryout and fast food chain restaurants were extracted from the restaurant layer and spatially joined with the 2010 Community Statistical Area (CSA) data layer, provided by BNIA-JFI. The prepared foods density, per 1,000 people, was calculated for each CSA using the CSA's population and the total number of carryout and fast food restaurants, including vendors selling prepared foods in public markets, in each CSA. Source: Johns Hopkins University, Center for a Livable FutureYears Available: 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019

The market is estimated to reach USD 207,415.5 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 341,089.4 million by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% throughout the assessment period.

Metric	Value
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 207,415.5 million
Industry Value (2035F)	USD 341,089.4 million
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	5.1%

Country wise Outlook

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
USA	5.0%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
UK	5.2%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
European Union	5.3%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Japan	5.1%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
South Korea	5.4%

Competitive Outlook

Company Name	Estimated Market Share (%)
McDonald's	18-22%
Yum! Brands	15-19%
Darden Concepts, Inc.	10-14%
Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC	8-12%
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.	6-10%
Other Companies (combined)	30-40%

Global Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurant market size is expected to reach $436.07 billion by 2029 at 7.2%, the surge in restaurant popularity fueling fast-food and quick-service restaurant market growth

Fast Food Market holds a forecasted revenue of USD 816.0 Bn in 2025 and is likely to cross USD 1,117.92 Bn by 2032 with a steady annual growth rate of 4.6%.

In 2023, Hispanic Americans were more likely to eat at fast food restaurants than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Almost ** percent of U.S. Hispanics surveyed indicated eating weekly or monthly at a quick service restaurant, while only roughly half of non-Hispanic respondents did.

Comprehensive dataset of 20,874 Fast food restaurants in Germany as of June, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

The U.S. Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Market Size Was Worth USD 405 Billion in 2023 and Is Expected To Reach USD 663 Billion by 2032, CAGR of 10.3%.

The global fast food market size reached USD 902.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 1,298.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.09% during 2025-2033. The increasing consumer preference for RTE food products, rising number of commercial establishments, and the growing adoption of fast food like frozen ready meals in the food service industry are some of the major factors propelling the market.

Report Attribute	Key Statistics
Base Year	2024
Forecast Years	2025-2033
Historical Years	2019-2024
Market Size in 2024	USD 902.1 Billion
Market Forecast in 2033	USD 1,298.5 Billion
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033	4.09%

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global fast food market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type and end user.