The quick-service restaurant industry doesn't grade on a curve. In a sector where consumer attention is fragmented, commodity costs are volatile, and labor markets remain persistently tight, the gap between the chains that are winning and the chains that are merely surviving has never been wider. To cut through the noise, we built QSR Pro's inaugural Power Rankings: a composite score based on three-year domestic unit growth rate (2023 - 2025), same-store sales trajectory over the trailing four quarters, international expansion momentum, and forward pipeline visibility from FDD Item 20 disclosures and public earnings guidance. The result is a snapshot of the industry's pecking order heading into 2026 - and some of the findings may surprise you. ## The Methodology Our ranking system weighs four equally critical dimensions of chain health: - Unit Growth Rate (3-year CAGR, 2023 - 2025): Net new restaurants added relative to the base, sourced from Technomic Top 500, FDD Item 20 unit counts, and public filings. - Same-Store Sales Trajectory: Not just the latest quarter, but the direction and consistency of comps over the past 12 months. A chain posting 2% comps after four quarters of decline scores differently than one posting 2% after four quarters of acceleration. - International Expansion: Global pipeline commitments, market entries, and international unit growth rates. - Forward Pipeline Visibility: Signed franchise agreements, development commitments in the pipeline, and management guidance for near-term openings. Each dimension is scored on a 1 - 25 scale, and the composite determines the final ranking. Let's get into it. ## Tier 1: The Dominators (Ranks 1 - 5) ### 1. McDonald's There's a reason the Golden Arches still sit atop every industry ranking. McDonald's ended fiscal 2025 with approximately 42,000 restaurants worldwide, with management reiterating its target of 50,000 units by the end of 2027. Global comparable sales grew 3.6% in Q3 2025, and while the U.S. business faced some traffic headwinds earlier in the year, successful marketing promotions - including the continued strength of the $5 Meal Deal and savvy celebrity collaborations - drove positive check and guest count growth by Q4. The international story is equally compelling. McDonald's continues to be the most reliable unit-growth machine in the industry at scale. When you're adding roughly 1,500 net new restaurants annually across 100+ countries, you're playing a different game than everyone else. The sheer gravitational pull of the McDonald's system - its supply chain, its real estate expertise, its digital ecosystem with 60 loyalty markets generating approximately $33 billion in trailing twelve-month systemwide sales to loyalty members - makes this the unquestioned number one. Power Score: 96/100 ### 2. Chick-fil-A The most remarkable franchise operation in the industry continues to defy every conventional rule. Chick-fil-A generates an estimated $9.4 million in average unit volume - roughly triple the industry average - from just over 3,000 domestic locations, and it's closing in on $19 billion in systemwide sales. The chain opened 132 new locations plus 13 licensed stores in its latest fiscal year, and it has now begun pursuing international expansion after decades of North America exclusivity. What makes Chick-fil-A's position so formidable isn't just the sales per unit - it's the demand backlog. The chain receives roughly 100,000 franchise inquiries annually and approves fewer than 100. Every new opening is a calculated, high-conviction bet. The recent push into international markets signals that the leadership team sees a long runway for the brand's highly differentiated model. Power Score: 94/100 ### 3. Taco Bell Taco Bell is arguably the most innovative chain in the QSR sector right now, and the numbers prove it. U.S. same-store sales grew approximately 8% in Q1 2025, fueled by a relentless cadence of menu innovation and a digital-first strategy that's resonating with Gen Z consumers. Parent company Yum! Brands reported a 5% increase in worldwide system sales for Q1, with Taco Bell's 11% sales increase leading the portfolio. The international ambitions are equally bold. Taco Bell has announced a target of 3,000 international restaurants by 2030 - a massive expansion from its current global footprint - while simultaneously pushing domestic average unit volumes from $2.2 million toward $3 million. With approximately 8,700 U.S. locations and accelerating development, Taco Bell's combination of comps momentum and unit growth puts it firmly in Tier 1. Power Score: 91/100 ### 4. Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle hit a milestone in December 2025: its 4,000th restaurant. The company plans to open 315 to 345 new units in 2025, with 80% featuring the Chipotlane mobile-order pickup window that has become a critical throughput driver. First-quarter 2025 revenue was $2.9 billion, up 6.4% year-over-year. Management is standing by its long-term target of 7,000 North American restaurants - essentially doubling the current footprint by decade's end - and annual unit growth is targeting 8 - 10%. International expansion is still nascent but represents optionality. The stock may have pulled back from its highs, but the operating model remains best-in-class for fast casual, and the growth trajectory is the most predictable in the industry. Power Score: 89/100 ### 5. Popeyes Popeyes ended 2025 with 5,413 restaurants globally, including 3,578 in the U.S. and approximately 1,835 international units across 45+ countries. That international number is up from 975 in Q2 2023 to roughly 1,400 by mid-2025, and it's still accelerating. Parent company Restaurant Brands International highlighted Popeyes international as generating $500 million in Q4 revenue alone, placing it at a $2 billion annual run rate. The domestic story is more nuanced. Same-store sales have been inconsistent, and RBI's own leadership has acknowledged that the chain "isn't meeting its potential" on the operations front. But the raw expansion numbers - particularly internationally - are undeniable. Popeyes is now entering Mexico through strategic local partnerships and has opened in Italy, Costa Rica, and the Balkans. If the operations catch up to the unit growth, this brand could climb higher. Power Score: 85/100 ## Tier 2: The Breakout Class (Ranks 6 - 10) This is the most exciting tier in the industry - chains that are growing so fast they're rewriting the competitive map. ### 6. Wingstop The numbers tell the story. Wingstop ended fiscal 2025 with 3,056 system-wide restaurants, a net increase of 493 units during the year - a record. The company has guided for 15 - 16% global unit growth in 2026, supported by a committed pipeline of 2,300 restaurant agreements. Revenue grew 11.4% to $696.9 million in 2025, and adjusted EBITDA rose 15.2% to $244.2 million. Here's the thing about Wingstop: the unit growth story is real even as domestic same-store sales declined 3.3% for fiscal 2025 - the first annual SSS decline in 22 years. That decline is a function of lapping extraordinarily strong comps from prior years and normalizing demand, not a structural problem. Management guided for flat to low-single-digit domestic comps in 2026, with the national launch of the "Club Wingstop" loyalty program in Q2 2026 expected to drive a 7% increase in frequency among enrolled members. Internationally, Wingstop is just getting started. With 470 international units at year-end 2025 and a 10,000-unit long-term target, the global white space is enormous. Power Score: 83/100 ### 7. Raising Cane's No chain in America has a hotter growth trajectory on a per-unit basis than Raising Cane's. The privately held, company-owned chicken finger chain pushed past 950 U.S. locations by the end of 2025, adding nearly 100 restaurants during the year - matching its record-setting 2024 pace. The long-term target is 1,600+ domestic units, and with plans to enter Mexico in the second half of 2026 through a development agreement with Alsea, S.A.B., international expansion is finally on the table. What separates Raising Cane's from other growth stories is the model. This is a company-owned system - no franchisees, no FDD disclosures, no royalty streams. Every restaurant is built, staffed, and operated by the company. That gives founder Todd Graves an extraordinary level of quality control but also means growth is inherently capital-constrained. The fact that Cane's is sustaining nearly 100 openings per year on a company-owned basis is shows the unit economics and the operational machine Graves has built. Average unit volumes are estimated north of $5 million, drive-through throughput is best-in-class in the chicken segment, and the brand's cult following - particularly among younger consumers - shows no signs of softening. The Mexico entry with Alsea (which also operates Starbucks and Domino's across Latin America) signals that Cane's is ready to scale beyond the U.S. Power Score: 81/100 ### 8. Dutch Bros The drive-through coffee chain opened 154 new shops in 2025 - including 141 company-owned locations - and guided for 16% shop growth in 2026, which would push the total past 1,300 by year-end. Q4 2025 same-store sales grew 7.7%, and the full-year 2026 guidance of 3 - 5% comps growth sits on top of a projected total revenue range of $2.0 - 2.03 billion. Dutch Bros is executing a playbook that's part Starbucks, part Chick-fil-A: obsessive culture-building, a loyalty-first digital strategy (the Dutch Rewards program now drives over 70% of transactions at mature shops), and disciplined market entry. Revenue surged 29% in Q4 2025. The company has a long-term target of 4,000 U.S. shops, meaning it's less than a third of the way through its domestic TAM. The risks are real - the stock is down 35% over the past year as the market digests the heavy company-owned investment model - but the operational metrics are getting stronger, not weaker. The food program rollout is adding a new revenue stream and increasing ticket sizes. If Dutch Bros can maintain 15%+ annual unit growth while holding comps above 3%, it will be one of the defining growth stories of the decade. Power Score: 79/100 ### 9. Jersey Mike's The submarine sandwich chain surpassed 3,000 domestic locations in 2025 and is now the fastest-growing sub chain in America by a wide margin. Jersey Mike's has been the primary beneficiary of Subway's domestic contraction, aggressively backfilling markets where Subway has retreated. Average unit volumes are strong at approximately $1.3 million, and the franchisee satisfaction scores consistently rank among the highest in the industry. The Blackstone investment in 2024 provided the capital and operational infrastructure to accelerate development. Jersey Mike's is now opening at a pace that suggests 4,000+ domestic units within the next three years, with international expansion discussions underway. The brand's "fresh sliced, fresh grilled" positioning has proven remarkably durable in a segment that Subway defined and subsequently neglected. Power Score: 77/100 ### 10. Sweetgreen The salad-and-bowl chain is an unconventional inclusion in a QSR ranking, but the numbers justify it. Sweetgreen ended 2025 with 237 restaurants and guided for 25+ new openings in 2026. More importantly, the company achieved its first full quarter of GAAP profitability in Q4 2025 - a milestone that validates the unit economics of its premium fast-casual model. What earns Sweetgreen its spot here isn't the current scale - it's the automation thesis. The "Infinite Kitchen" robotic assembly line, deployed in a growing number of locations, is delivering measurably better throughput, consistency, and labor efficiency. If the Infinite Kitchen works at scale, Sweetgreen has a path to unit economics that look more like tech than restaurants. The company's long-term target of 1,000+ domestic locations is ambitious but increasingly plausible. Power Score: 74/100 ## Tier 3: The Established Middle (Ranks 11 - 15) ### 11. Wendy's Wendy's global system grew to approximately 7,300 restaurants by the end of 2025, with management targeting 2% net unit growth. U.S. same-store sales have been modest - low single digits - but the FreshAI voice-ordering initiative and aggressive breakfast push provide growth levers. The international pipeline, particularly through the Flynn Restaurant Group's massive development commitment, offers upside. Wendy's isn't breaking out, but it's executing steadily. Power Score: 72/100 ### 12. Domino's Domino's remains the dominant pizza delivery chain globally, with 21,000+ locations across 90 markets. U.S. same-store sales grew 3% in 2025, and the company is targeting 1,100+ net new global stores annually. The Uber Eats partnership continues to drive incremental U.S. orders. The challenge: domestic delivery is a mature market, and carryout growth - while real - has a lower ticket than delivery. Domino's is a cash flow machine, not a growth story. Power Score: 70/100 ### 13. Panda Express The largest Asian-concept QSR in America, with approximately 2,700 locations, continues to expand methodically. Panda Express is company-owned (like Raising Cane's), which limits growth velocity but ensures operational consistency. Average unit volumes north of $2 million are strong for the segment. International expansion remains minimal. The brand's challenge is breaking out of the food court / strip mall format into more diverse real estate. Power Score: 68/100 ### 14. KFC KFC's U.S. business has been in structural decline for years, with domestic unit counts shrinking. But the international story - 22,000+ restaurants in 140+ countries - is a different narrative entirely. Yum! Brands continues to invest heavily in KFC's global expansion, particularly in emerging markets. The U.S. turnaround strategy, including menu innovation and digital acceleration, has stabilized comps but hasn't reversed the unit decline. KFC is a global giant with a domestic problem. Power Score: 66/100 ### 15. Five Guys The privately held premium burger chain operates approximately 1,900 locations globally and continues to expand steadily, particularly in international markets. Five Guys' unit economics are among the best in the burger segment, with estimated AUVs above $1.5 million. The challenge is the premium price point - Five Guys tickets average $15 - 18 per person, which limits the addressable market in a value-conscious environment. Growth is steady but not explosive. Power Score: 64/100 ## Tier 4: The Turnaround Watch (Ranks 16 - 20) ### 16. Burger King RBI's "Reclaim the Flame" turnaround plan is showing tangible results. U.S. same-store sales grew 1.6% in 2024, and the $400 million "Royal Reset" remodel program is upgrading the physical plant at a meaningful pace. But the U.S. system is still losing net units - closures of underperforming franchisee locations are outpacing new openings. International growth, particularly through the Carrols Restaurant Group refranchising, provides a tailwind. The turnaround is real but far from complete. Power Score: 61/100 ### 17. Subway The world's largest restaurant chain by unit count has been through a bruising decade of contraction. The U.S. system has dropped below 20,000 locations - down from a peak of 27,000+ - and while the Roark Capital acquisition has injected new management discipline, the path to growth remains unclear. Same-store sales have stabilized, and menu quality has improved under the "Subway Series" platform, but franchisee sentiment remains mixed, and Jersey Mike's is eating their lunch (literally) in key markets. Power Score: 58/100 ### 18. Papa John's Papa John's ended 2025 with 5,900+ global locations and has been executing a steady international expansion that now accounts for approximately half the system. Domestic comps have been sluggish - the U.S. pizza segment is brutally competitive - and the company has cycled through strategic pivots. The recent focus on technology (voice AI ordering) and menu innovation (papadias, chicken pops) hasn't moved the needle on traffic. International growth keeps it relevant. Power Score: 55/100 ### 19. Jack in the Box Jack in the Box is at an inflection point. The company acquired Del Taco in 2022, creating a dual-brand platform, but integration has been uneven. Domestic same-store sales for Jack in the Box have been negative in recent quarters, and the Del Taco brand hasn't found a growth catalyst. The company is attempting a franchise-heavy unit growth strategy, but franchisee interest has been tepid given the soft comps. Jack in the Box needs a menu and marketing refresh - urgently. Power Score: 51/100 ### 20. Sonic Drive-In Inspire Brands' drive-in concept has struggled to find its footing in the post-pandemic landscape. Sonic's unique format - stalls, carhops, the iconic drink menu - remains differentiated, but same-store sales have underperformed the broader QSR sector. The brand has approximately 3,500 locations, and net unit growth has been negligible. Sonic's drink and snack business is strong (the chain sells more slushes and drinks than many dedicated beverage concepts), but the core food business needs reinvigoration. Power Score: 48/100 ## Tier 5: The Wildcard Watch (Ranks 21 - 25) ### 21. Cava The Mediterranean fast-casual chain is the post-IPO darling of the restaurant sector, with 367 locations at last count and a 17% unit growth target. Cava's same-store sales grew an extraordinary 21.2% in Q1 2025 - numbers that would make any QSR operator jealous. The question is whether Cava can scale past 500 units without diluting the experience or the unit economics. If it can, this brand jumps to Tier 2 within two years. Power Score: 73/100 (high score, low rank due to scale constraints) ### 22. Shake Shack Shake Shack has finally found its growth footing after years of margin disappointment. The company ended 2025 with approximately 580 global locations and is targeting 80+ new openings in 2026. Restaurant-level margins have improved to the high teens, and the drive-through format expansion is opening up suburban markets that were previously inaccessible. International licensing deals in Asia, the Middle East, and the UK provide additional runway. Power Score: 65/100 ### 23. Portillo's The Chicago-born hot dog and Italian beef chain has 100+ locations and is scaling into new markets including Texas, Arizona, and Florida. Portillo's unit economics are compelling - AUVs north of $9 million at mature locations - but the brand has struggled with consistency as it expands beyond its core Midwest market. The restaurant-level complexity (multiple protein preps, wide menu, high volume) makes replication harder than simpler concepts. Power Score: 60/100 ### 24. Dave's Hot Chicken The Nashville-style hot chicken chain has rocketed past 230 U.S. locations since its founding in a parking lot in 2017. The brand is backed by Samuel L. Jackson, Drake, and a stable of celebrity investors, but more importantly, the franchise pipeline is deep - with development agreements for 900+ locations. Average wait times at new openings are legendary (30+ minutes in some markets), indicating strong brand heat. The question: can the concept sustain interest as novelty fades and competition in the hot chicken space intensifies? Power Score: 62/100 ### 25. Salad and Go The most intriguing micro-chain on this list, Salad and Go operates approximately 165 drive-through locations across Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada. The concept is deceptively simple: healthy food (salads, wraps, breakfast items, cold-pressed juices) at fast-food prices ($6 - 8 range) through a drive-through-only format. The unit economics are impressive - the small footprint, limited menu, and drive-through-only model keep build costs under $1 million. The brand recently raised growth capital and is targeting aggressive expansion. If health-conscious fast food has a breakout moment, Salad and Go is positioned to lead it. Power Score: 58/100 ## The Big Picture: What the Rankings Tell Us Three themes emerge from this year's rankings: 1. The chicken segment is the growth engine of QSR. Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Wingstop, Raising Cane's, and Dave's Hot Chicken - five of the top 25 chains are chicken-first concepts, and four of them are in the top 10 for unit growth rate. The chicken sandwich wars may have faded from headlines, but the economic aftermath is a permanent reshuffling of the protein hierarchy in QSR. 2. International expansion separates the contenders from the pretenders. McDonald's, Popeyes, Taco Bell, and Wingstop are the chains making the most aggressive international bets. The domestic market is mature and increasingly zero-sum. The brands building global infrastructure now will compound that advantage for decades. 3. The middle is getting squeezed. The chains in Tier 3 and Tier 4 - Wendy's, Domino's, Burger King, Subway - are large enough to matter but not growing fast enough to excite investors or franchisees. In a market where capital flows to either dominant scale or explosive growth, the established middle is an uncomfortable place to be. The QSR industry in 2026 isn't just competitive. It's Darwinian. The chains at the top of these rankings aren't just winning market share - they're redefining what it means to be a quick-service restaurant in an era of digital transformation, labor disruption, and consumer value recalibration. Our Power Rankings will update quarterly as new earnings data and unit counts come in. Expect some movement - this is an industry that punishes complacency and rewards execution. The only constant is that standing still is falling behind.#
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QSR Pro Staff
The QSR Pro editorial team covers the quick service restaurant industry with in-depth analysis, data-driven reporting, and operator-first perspective.
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