Cooks working in fast food restaurants in the United States had a median hourly wage of 14.50 U.S. dollars as of May 2024. Meanwhile, 10 percent of fast food cooks earned less than 10.76 U.S. dollars per hour.

While shifting consumer preferences and a crowded foodservice landscape, fast food restaurants have maintained a steady pace of growth. Over the five years to 2025, industry revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 3.7%, reaching $412.7 billion. Notably, 2025 alone will experience a 1.1% increase in revenue. The trend towards fast casual dining has bolstered the industry, helping fast food chains hold their ground amid fierce competition. As health awareness continues to rise, consumers demand healthier and alternative options to conventional fast food. To an extent, major chains have met this demand by introducing healthier menu selections. Other innovative measures included investments in meat substitutes and introducing various dietary preferences to attract a broader consumer base. However, the shift towards a healthier lifestyle has somewhat dampened demand for traditional fast food staples, leading to a decline in industry profit. Between 2022 and 2025, fast food restaurants have grappled with surging operational costs, including purchase, utility, rent and labor. The collective force of these cost increases has depressed industry profit, reaching 4.4% of revenue in 2025. Higher minimum wages, especially in California, have been detrimental to fast food restaurant's bottom lines, which subsequently boost technology adoption such as AI drive-thus. Over the next five years, the fast food industry is expected to maintain its growth trajectory, albeit slower. With fast casual restaurants on the rise and consumer spending expected to climb, further revenue growth for the fast food industry is expected. However, the environment is forecast to grow slowly for fast food chains, as many segments within the industry approach saturation. Despite these challenges, successful operations in the industry will likely pivot in response to changing consumer preferences. In this evolving scenario, the concept of fast food is likely to expand beyond its traditional confines to include a broader range of choices. However, intense competition within the industry will continue to put downward pressure on prices, and hence, revenue growth is expected to slow over the next five years. Projections indicate a CAGR of 1.0% over the next five years, bringing the industry revenue to $433.6 billion by 2030.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Fast Food Restaurants industry in the US

In 2023, the fast food chain McDonald's generated over 1.8 billion British pounds in turnover in the United Kingdom. This represented an increase of over nine percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, Domino's Pizza's revenue in the UK and Ireland stood at 624.5 million British pounds in the same year.

In 2023, the market size of the quick service restaurant industry worldwide reached *** trillion U.S. dollars, representing a slight increase over the previous year. Quick service restaurants, also known as limited service or fast food restaurants, are establishments which typically serve food to customers quickly while having minimal table service. What are the leading fast food restaurant chains worldwide? As of 2024, ********* held the title of the highest-valued restaurant brand in the world. With a brand value exceeding ** billion U.S. dollars, it was nearly double that of the second most valuable brand, **********. In the ranking of the leading food and drink service chains by global sales, ********* was among the top three, generating over ** billion U.S. dollars. The company closely followed the UK-based food service leader, *****************. Which country has the highest number of Starbucks locations? In 2023, the country with the most Starbucks stores was *************************************, where there were over *********** locations. The coffee shop chain also had a significant presence in China and Korea. In the U.S., ********* was the coffee shop chain with the highest sales, generating approximately ** billion U.S. dollars more than its closest competitor, *******. Additionally, Starbucks enjoyed popularity among U.S. consumers, receiving an average American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) score of *************.

The global fast food market size was valued at over USD 938.16 billion in 2025 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 5.3%, surpassing USD 1.57 trillion revenue by 2035, attributed to growing consumption of fast food among the working population.

Snapshot img

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.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 35% growth during the forecast period.
By the Product - Non-vegetarian fast food segment was valued at USD 424.90 billion in 2023
By the Service Type - Eat-in segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 28.51 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 119.60 billion 
CAGR : 3%
APAC: Largest market in 2023

Market Summary

The global fast food market was valued at USD 712 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 895 billion by 2029, driven by rising urbanization, convenience trends, and changing dietary preferences. The U.S. accounts for over 28% of global fast food sales, with more than 194,000 fast-food establishments operating nationwide. Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) dominate, representing over 60% of market revenue, while online food delivery platforms contribute to over 30% of total orders globally. Increasing demand for plant-based menu options, gluten-free offerings, and low-calorie meals reflects growing health-conscious consumer behavior. Additionally, AI-driven personalization and self-service kiosks are transforming customer experience in the industry. Internal linking opportunities include Functional Food Ingredients Market, Plant-Based Food Market, and Online Food Delivery Market, which align with evolving fast-food trends and consumer expectations.

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

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The fast food market continues to expand, driven by innovations in restaurant technology and the integration of food service equipment designed to improve speed and efficiency. Brands are adopting POS terminal integration and online ordering integration to streamline transactions and meet growing consumer demand for convenience. Enhancing kitchen workflow efficiency and implementing structured employee training programs are critical to reducing errors and ensuring consistency in service.

Modern operators rely heavily on customer feedback systems and data driven decision making to refine operations. Advanced supply chain traceability, stringent food quality control, and robust sanitation protocols support compliance and safety, while strategies for operational efficiency and cost reduction strategies remain essential for maintaining margins. Growth initiatives include revenue generation, customer acquisition, and customer retention, supported by menu optimization and targeted campaigns informed by marketing analytics and brand positioning.

Strategic decisions like location analysis and franchise development influence expansion, while effective store operations, staff management, and inventory control are key for sustaining performance. Tools for food cost control, quality assurance, and sales forecasting help operators maintain profitability. Additionally, profitability analysis, risk management, and a strong focus on customer experience are shaping the competitive landscape. With digitalization and analytics driving innovation, the sector is evolving toward faster, smarter, and more customer-centric models.

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, various strategies are employed by outlets to attract consumers and drive growth. Menu engineering principles introduce innovative non-vegetarian dishes, primarily focusing on fish, seafood, chicken, beef, and other options. Consumers' preference for low-calorie and high-protein food products, such as meat-based offerings, further propels market expansion. Chicken, in particular, is a highly demanded non-vegetarian fast food category. Resta

The market size of the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry in the United States surpassed *** billion U.S. dollars in 2024. This represented an increase of around *** percent over the previous year.

The United States fast food market size reached USD 188.9 Billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 261.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% during 2025-2033. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of key trends across market segments, with detailed forecasts at regional and country levels for the period 2025-2033. It categorizes the market based on product type and end user.

This dataset features the 2024 rankings of the top 50 fast food chains, highlighting key metrics such as revenue, number of locations, market growth, and brand performance. Compiled from insights published on QSR Magazine, it provides a comprehensive view of the fast-food industry leaders, offering valuable data for market analysis, trend identification, and comparative studies. Ideal for data enthusiasts, business analysts, and researchers exploring the fast-food industry.

Potential Use Cases:

Analyzing market trends in the fast-food sector. Visualizing revenue and growth patterns. Predictive modeling for future rankings or performance. Competitive analysis for market strategists.

The global fast food market size reached approximately USD 797.14 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90% between 2025-2034, reaching a value of around USD 1286.14 Billion by 2034.

The fast food sector is booming rapidly thanks to the changing of consumers' habits and behavior. The global market size is promising due to urbanisation and the desire for fast food. Yet, sustained competition is ongoing with market leaders, with the CAGR soaring up for fast food demand, who are continuing to invent new approaches in an effort to meet changing customer urges, and thus sustains the prosperity of the fast food market.

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%

Discover the booming fast food & quick service restaurant market! Explore key trends, growth drivers, leading companies (McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks), and regional insights (North America, Europe, Asia) shaping this $800 billion industry through 2033. Learn more about market segmentation, competitive analysis, and future growth projections.

China Chain: Fast Food: Business Revenue data was reported at 150.120 RMB bn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 121.256 RMB bn for 2022. China Chain: Fast Food: Business Revenue data is updated yearly, averaging 80.409 RMB bn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2023, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 150.120 RMB bn in 2023 and a record low of 10.848 RMB bn in 2003. China Chain: Fast Food: Business Revenue data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Commerce, China General Chamber of Commerce. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Wholesale, Retail and Catering Sector – Table CN.CCAC: Fast Food.

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

This statistic shows the fast food market share in the United States in 2015. Yum! Brands Inc. accounted for **** percent of the U.S. fast food industry. U.S. fast food industry - additional information McDonald’s held, by far, the largest market share of the fast food industry in the United States in 2015. Its closest competitor was Yum! Brands - owner of popular chains Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and WingStreet. The leading five brands account for over ** percent of the entire U.S. fast food industry, which, in 2014, generated over 198.9 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. This revenue was forecasted to rise above *** billion dollars in 2020. As well as leading the U.S. fast food industry, McDonald’s was also the most valuable fast food brand worldwide in 2016. With a brand value of more than ** billion U.S. dollars, the company was worth more than double its closest competitor, Starbucks. McDonald’s worldwide revenue reached **** billion U.S. dollars in 2016, with over **** billion of this being accumulated in the U.S. Fast food is clearly popular with U.S. consumers. In a November 2016 survey, 44 percent of Americans admitted to eating in quick service restaurants at least once a week. The popularity of fast food is perhaps unsurprising, considering that children aged between two and 11 years watch hundreds of fast food ads annually. Once again, McDonald’s topped the list, with two- to five-year-olds watching an average of ***** of McDonald’s ads, and six- to 11 year-olds watching ***** ads that year.

Discover the booming fast-food market trends! Our in-depth analysis reveals a $722.86B market in 2025, projected to grow at a 3.2% CAGR through 2033. Explore key drivers, regional insights, competitive landscapes, and top players shaping this dynamic industry.

The Mexico fast food market size reached USD 11.00 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.80% between 2025 and 2034, reaching almost USD 17.58 Billion by 2034.

Dataset

This dataset was created by Matthew Bengtson

Released under CC0: Public Domain

Contents

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The fast food market industry overview presents a positive picture for vendors in APAC. It will offer the highest growth opportunities for market vendors and encourage them to make significant investments to improve their presence in the region.

The fast food market overview offers several other valuable insights such as:

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024
Detailed information on factors that will drive fast food market growth during the next five years
Precise estimation of the fast food market size and its contribution to the parent market
Accurate predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
The growth of the fast food market industry across North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA
A thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of fast food market vendors