10 Biggest Fast Food Franchise in the World

A franchise is a business in which a person is allowed to open a branch according to the brand name and get the right to use logo, food, etc. There are many of the biggest fast-food franchise chains in the world, such as McDonald's, KFC, Subway, Starbucks, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Domino's Pizza, are franchises. Each of these fast-food franchises has extensive food-serving stores globally.

However, fast food is more popular and people get that food in many ways like by drive-thru, or online food ordering system. Therefore dine-in facilities are also available in some stores. However, let's see how many largest fast food franchises in the world and their business strategies.

What's the Fast Food Franchise?

A fast food franchise is a business chain where an entrepreneur or a company gets the rights to operate a restaurant. In that case, they use the branding, products, logo, and other operational systems. 

For example a person (who gets a franchise) pays specific fees to the McDonald's, Subway, KFC, Star Starbucks, Wendy’s and other Franchisors. In that case, franchisors provide support, such as training, marketing, and supply chain access. This franchise business policy allows for continuous expansion to run a business.

10 Biggest Fast Food Franchise in the World

Food-serving franchise management is a global chain that is spread out all over the world. Many food businesses offer franchise management strategies to spread their branding, and business, and boost their earning threshold. 

There are thousands of restaurant franchise management or fast food franchise businesses but we have brought the 10 biggest fast food franchises in the world. Let’s go for a deep discussion about them.

1. McDonald's

Best for Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, and French Fries

McDonald's is a top-class US-based global fast food chain. McDonalds was founded in 1940 in the United States. How big a franchise is McDonald's? According to the 2024 report, McDonald’s stores are available in 120 countries, customer appearances are more than 68 million per day, and they have more than 150,000 staff in 41,822 restaurants. Rather more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants are in the United States. Now think how big a fast food franchise it is. This amount is growing arithmetically.

McDonald’s is famous for its hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries, and its diverse healthy menus. Why is it more popular? McDonald's testy and extensive menu, communication channels, customer satisfaction, and community impact have made it more popular and made it different from other fast food chains.

Specification

• Number of stores: 41,822 globally.
• Popular food Items: Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, and French Fries.
• Establish date: 1960 United States.
• McDonald’s annual revenue: $25.494 billion per year.

2. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Best for Fried Chicken in the Fast Food Industry.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is the US-originated leading fast food chain in the world. It started its journey in 1930 at North Corbin, Kentucky, in the United States. It has been nearly 100 years that they have been managing and maintaining a reputation with authentic fried chicken. 

KFC is popular due to its unique fried chicken-making recipe. It is crispy and delicious that snatches people's hearts. Its herbs and spices have brought KFC to a supreme level of popularity.

However, KFC is almost all over the world. KFC outlets are available in 150 countries globally, they have over 30,000 outlets in different countries, and more than 89,863 employees have been engaged with KFC. Indeed, KFC's mission is to provide high-quality food and ensure a better customer experience.    

Specification

• Number of stores: Over 30,000 globally.
• Popular food Item: Fried Chicken
• Establish date: 1930 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
• KFC annual revenue: over US$2.83 billion

3. Burger King

Best for Flame-Grilled or Whopper Burgers

Burger is a popular fast food. It is one of the best and largest fast-food franchises in the world. Burger King offers different types of food items like flame-grilled burgers, Whopper burgers, chicken sandwiches, onion rings, tandoori grill chicken, grilled hot and chili chicken, and others.

Burger King is available in over 100 countries and has more than 19,384 outlets around the world. This fast food franchise offers massive offers for customer privileges. They always focus on their food quality and customer satisfaction. Their attractive offer and wide range of menus have helped them to achieve global popularity.

Specification

• List of burger king store numbers: Approximately 19,384 globally
• Popular food Items: Whopper, Bacon King, flagship sandwich, etc.
• Establish date: 1954 Miami, Florida, United States
• Burger King's annual revenue: More than $27.02 billion in the world.

4. Popeyes

Best for Crispy, Juicy Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popeyes is a renowned fast-food franchise in the US. It started a new journey in 1972 and is located in Louisiana, USA. It offers a wide range of food menus like chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, sides, etc. They also provide seafood, vegetable items, French fries, and others.

This fried chicken fast-food chain is available in around 35 countries like Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and so on. Popeyes has 3,705 outlets or stores globally and 10,000 staff. They have different types of food service strategies like online food ordering, dine-in, drive-thru, etc. This information is enough to prove that it is one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.

Specification

• Number of stores: 3,705 globally
• Popular food Items: Chicken sandwiches, wings, chicken sides, and beverages.
• Establish date: 1972 In Louisiana, United States
• Annual revenue: over $579 million per year

5. Domino's Pizza

Domino's Pizza is best for wide variety of customizable pizza options

Domino Pizza is a multinational pizza restaurant chain. It was founded in 1960 in the United States.  Domino’s provides food delivery service and dine-in service as well. This business has been spread over 90 countries worldwide and has more than 20,591 outlets.

A lot of people work in different global stores around 9,250 people. This food-service franchise has an extensive menu that includes chicken wings, dessert, pasta, different shapes of pizza, and others. Domino’s has gained popularity all over the world due to its fast food delivery service.

Specification

• Number of stores: 20,591 globally
• Popular food Item: Chicken wings, Dessert, Pasta, Pizza, Submarine sandwiches
• Establish date: 1960 Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA.
• Annual revenue: Around $519.1 million

6. Taco Bell

Best for Mexican-inspired foods

Taco Bell is a multinational American fast food franchise restaurant. This fast food giant franchises Mexican cuisine or Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and so on. It is well known in the United States, Mexico, and other countries. 

Taco Bell is available in 32 countries over 8500 outlets. Taco Bell serves over 5.5 million people every day in the world. So, these massive amounts of stores and countries prove their food priority. So, choose the best fast food franchise and get your delicious meal.

Specification

• Number of stores: Around 8500 outlets globally
• Popular food Items: Crunchy Taco, Soft Taco, and Chicken Quesadilla.
• Establish date: 1962 Downey, California, USA
• Annual revenue: Around $2 billion per year

7. Del Taco

Best for Mexican-inspired dishes

Del Taco is an American fast-food company. They have an extensive food menu and offer a variety of fast food like tacos, burritos, French fries, burgers, and others. Del Tao prepares Mexican food that is more demandable all over the world. Del Tacos is popular for including tacos, burritos, and French fries.

However, it was founded 64 years ago (1964). It has more than 600 outlets around the United States. Does Del Taco offer online orders? Yes, Del Taco offers online orders and a food delivery system through mobile apps like and it also offers drive-thru, and take-way service.  

Specification

• Number of stores: Around 600 stores
• Popular food Items: Tacos Mission burritos Mexican-style cuisine Salads Hamburgers
• Establish date: 1964 Yermo, California, USA.
• Annual revenue: more than $513 million

8. Wendy's

Best for fresh beef patties burgers

Wendy's is a renowned fast-food restaurant chain in the United States. It was founded in 1969 in the USA. It was the largest hamburger fast food franchise after McDonald's and Burger King. Wendy’s food menu includes hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and French fries in their different stores.

As of late they have changed their business policy and have been serving hamburger patties on circular buns, sea salt fries, and soft ice cream mixed with starches. They have more than 7,240 store chains in 30 countries but over 6,700 licensed restaurants are in the US. So, it is a comparatively large franchise fast food chain in the world.

Specification

• Number of stores: around 7,240 globally
• Popular food Items: hot & crispy French fries, and the largest burger
• Establish date: 1969 Columbus, Ohio, USA
• Annual revenue: $2.18 Billion

9. Subway

Subway is best for sandwiches with a lean protein option

It is one of the best US-based multinational fast-food franchises. It offers high-quality sandwiches that carry fresh flavors and authentic food. The largest Subway restaurant in the world is in the USA. Subway is also a famous and the world's largest submarine sandwich chain. This franchise provides an extensive fast-food menu that contains Pizza, chef salads, sandwiches, beverages, and breakfast items.

Subway is available in 110 countries and has over 44,000 food store chains. Do subways have a drive-thru? Of course, there are different types of food delivery and ordering systems like drive-thru, take away, online ordering, etc. So, if you want to take a test of fresh fast food and protein then you should go to the Subway store.    

Specification

• Number of stores: over 44,000 globally
• Popular food Items: submarine sandwich chains like pizza, salads, sandwich
• Establish date: 1965 Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
• Annual revenue: Approximate $16.1 billion

10. Dunkin'

Best for donut flavors

Dunkin is a coffee shop and donut food chain located in the United States. It is popular due to its variety of food items and comprehensive menus. In most cases, Dunkin offers coffee, donuts, baked food, sandwiches, and beverages. 

Dunkin was founded in 1950 and it is one of the oldest fast food chains in the world. They have more than 13,200 outlets globally in 40 different countries. So, if you want to get coffee, and baked food then Dunkin may be the best choice.

Specification

• Number of stores: Around 13,200 globally
• Popular food Items: coffee, donuts, baked food, sandwiches
• Establish date: 1950 in the USA
• Annual revenue: approximately $1.370 billion

Benefits of Fast Food Franchise

In most cases, the food business is profitable. It can be started at a cheap expense compared to other commercial businesses but sometimes counts loss. All the entrepreneurs want a risk-free business. Does any business have a risk-free? Not really, but franchised businesses may have some reliability and privileges. However, let’s see some essential benefits of fast-food franchise management.   

Low-Risk Business: A renowned fast-food franchise takes the lead to grow more sales due to its popularity. Most franchises have a compensation and restaurant business insurance policy and that can save from business loss.

The Low Expense For Branding And Promotional Activity: If you have a KFC outlet then no need to worry about expenses a huge amount for its branding and marketing. So, you may share promotional deals on specific items.   

Increase Customer Appearance: I have never heard that no one likes KFC, Big Mac, Hamburger, and other lucrative fast food items. A branded and well-established franchise must have a huge customer appearance, especially on holiday deals, weekly deals, and other occasions.

Opportunity to Grow Faster: Most fast food franchises are renowned and fast food lovers always find their favorite branded food. In that case, KFC, McDonalds, Culver's, Arby's, Pizza Hut, Wingstop, Denny's, Jimmy John's, and other renowned fast food franchises will get more privileges to grow faster. So, no worries about building their reputation.

Biggest Fast Food Chains in the World by Revenue

There are thousands of fast food franchise restaurants in the world. If we consider some franchises according to their popularity, largest outlet, number of employees, revenues, longest food chain, the highest restaurant in the world, and country-based then we can find some renowned franchises. However, let’s see some essential country-based popular fast food franchise food chains.   

American Fast Food Franchises

Most of the world's dominant fast-food companies originated in the United States. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Starbucks, and others. These are popular for burgers, Snacks, chicken, and multiple food menus. Why is American fast food more popular? Due to their food quality, convenience, affordability, and speed of business ideas.

Asian Fast Food Franchise

Asian food is popular and around 48 countries are in Asia. Different types of traditional foods are available in Asia. However, Asian fast-food franchises dominate all over the world. Let’s see some of the popular Asian Fast Food Franchises:

• Teriyaki Madness
• Manchu Wok
• Sushi Wok
• PRESOTEA
• GO GRILL
• ZORKO
• A&W
• Wrapchic

Australian Fast Food Franchises

Australia is another peaceful and geographically located place. Many people come to Australia to travel and tourism, business, and other purposes. For this reason, different types of food businesses have originated in Australia. Let’s see some of the popular fast-food franchises in Australia

• Hungry Jack's
• Noodle Box
• Red Rooster
• Guzman y Gomez
• Oporto

British Fast Food Franchises

The United Kingdom is another developed and business establishment country. They love fast food and their traditional food as well. However, there are many fast food business chains in the UK. So, let’s see some of the popular and biggest British fast food chains.

• West Cornwall Pasty
• Leon
• Wimpy
• Greggs
• Honest Burgers
• Pret a Manger

Fast Food Franchise Requirements

There are extensive privileges to opening a franchise outlet but you must follow some policies. Indeed, all the individual food franchises have their business policy. To open an outlet, you must meet their restaurant opening requirements. So, take a look in short what kind of requirements you should focus on to start a food serving business or open a store.

• One-time Franchise cost for using their Logo, brand, training, website, restaurant management software, etc.  
• Sign an agreement paper with your franchise to ensure that you are a franchisor.
• Store rent cost (fixed cost and monthly fees). It is noted that most fast-food franchises have their business rules, and you must follow that by consulting with them.
• Monthly royalty fee that you have to pay to your franchise.
• Get a business license from your local government.

If you think about how to open a fast food franchise or how to buy a fast food franchise then you should focus on these requirements. The best way is to contact your best food-serving franchise, get their business policy, and take steps to open a fast food chain.

Final Thought

Fast food is a famous food menu in the world. We have referred here to the Biggest Fast Food Franchise in the World based on various factors. However, if you want to become a franchisor of any of them then you may focus on the requirements and their business policy and fast food franchise information. On the other hand, different types of cheapest fast food franchises have the best junk food restaurant chains like Shake Shack, Five Guys, The Burger Joint (TBJ), and others. So, you may focus on that.