Posted by Top Fast Food Chains in the World
The food industry is a multi-billion dollar business and the fast-food industry has become a staple for many people. It’s estimated that at any given time about one in every eight Americans are eating at a fast-food restaurant, spending around $200 billion dollars annually. The United States is not alone as other countries have their own favorite chains to choose from.
Fast-food chains are the lifeblood of many people. They don’t have time to cook, and they want something quick and easy that tastes good. There is a fast-food chain for every taste, whether you like burgers or tacos or pizzas. Fast food chains come in all shapes and sizes too – you can find one on nearly every street corner in America and there’s no shortage of them around the world either! From McDonald’s to KFC to Pizza Hut, we’ve got the lowdown on which ones are where so you know what your options are when hunger strikes at 3am after a night out clubbing with your friends!
What are fast-food chains?
Fast-food chains are restaurants that specialize in quick service and mainly serve fast food. A fast-food restaurant is a type of establishment that serves customers quickly, with the intention of having them leave as soon as possible. Customers order at the counter without being served by an attendant and then find their own table or booth to eat within the restaurant.
It’s a well-known fact that fast food is unhealthy, but there are some chains out there that provide tasty and nutritious meals for those on the go. In order to help you make an educated decision about where to eat next time you’re in a rush, we have compiled this list of the world’s top 10 Fast Food Chains.
Top 10 Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024
Here are the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024:
- Subway
- McDonald’s
- Burger King
- KFC
- Starbucks
- Papa John’s
- Noodles and Company
- Pizza Hut
- Taco Bell
- Dairy Queen
1. Subway
Subway is the world’s largest submarine sandwich chain, and it boasts a number of healthy options for those looking to limit their caloric intake. Subway foods are made fresh and on the spot, meaning that you can customize your sandwich with a variety of vegetables as well as different breads.
Subway also offers salads for those who prefer to go lighter without sacrificing taste, plus their menu has plenty of options for kids too! It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
In the past half-century, fast food chains have grown in numbers and reach. Why? People want their tasty meals -fast and cheap! With over 33,000 restaurants worldwide today alone (and growing), Subway is one of these global powerhouses with a presence all around the world. In Singapore, for example – just 300 square miles in size – there are already 80 stores to satisfy your appetite no matter what time it may be or where you happen to find yourself that day.
2. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is undoubtedly the best-known fast-food chain in the world in 2024. With over 36,000 restaurants worldwide serving 47 million customers daily and more than $37 billion dollars in annual revenue, it’s also one of the most successful! Started by Ray Kroc back in 1955, it’s no surprise that the company has become such a worldwide success. When you think of McDonald’s, you probably instantly envision their signature golden arches and those delicious burgers and fries they serve up so well in store after store around the globe.
3. Burger King
Burger King is one of the three biggest hamburger chains in America. They offer a wide variety of main dishes, snack foods, and desserts including their signature Whopper sandwich. Burger King has more than 11,000 locations globally with $22 billion in sales for 2014. The first outlet was opened by Keith J. Kramer and his wife’s uncle Harry J. Sonneborn in 1953, and the two had originally planned to sell hot dogs.
As we know by now, this is a common misconception about the creation of Burger King which was actually started by James McLamore (McDonald’s) and David Edgerton whose father owned an ice cream company called Insta-Burger. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
McLamore and Edgerton had opened a small restaurant in San Bernardino, California called Insta-Burger which sold hamburgers with the “instant” 15-minute ground beef patties that they would grind up before cooking them on an electric stovetop grill.
4. KFC
Founded in 1930, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is a chain of fast-food restaurants that specializes in fried chicken. The company’s first outlet was opened by Colonel Harland Sanders near Corbin, Kentucky and the menu offered his original recipe for seasonings with eleven herbs and spices to customers.
In 1952, Sanders franchised out KFC, and over the years that followed, it grew to have a presence in more than 100 countries. KFC is now traded publicly on the New York Stock Exchange with headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
The company has become known for its “Secret Recipe” of eleven herbs and spices which Colonel Sanders never revealed until his death at 90 years old. KFC’s restaurant in Qian Men, China is the biggest of its 16200 eateries worldwide! The three-story building can seat up to 300 people at a time and has over 30 different options for meals including Vegan meals.
5. Starbucks
Founded in 1971, Starbucks is a chain of coffee shops that has grown so quickly and become such an iconic part of the American lifestyle due to its quality beverages, large menu selections, comfortable atmosphere and convenient locations. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
Starbucks started as a small company operating two stores in Seattle’s Pike Place Market but now operates over 20,000 retail locations.
The chain has become the largest coffee shop company in the world with about one-third of all American adults visiting a Starbucks each week.
Starbucks’ atmosphere is inviting and comfortable, their menu selections are both traditional favorites and unique new flavors to try. Plus they offer free Wi-Fi so you can get some work done or enjoy your drink.
6. Papa John’s
Papa John’s began as a pizza shop in 1984 when “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out the walls of his father’s tavern after getting into an argument with him.
The first store was built on three simple ideas: quality, service, and cleanliness. It now operates more than 5000 locations around the world with plans to open another 1000 in the next five years.
The company has received a number of awards, including being named “No. 12 Greatest Global Brand” by Forbes magazine and one of the top 500 fastest-growing companies from Inc Magazine. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
Papa John’s offers simple menu items that are usually available for delivery or pickup at most locations such as pizzas, breadsticks, and salads.
7. Noodles and Company 
Noodles and Company is different from the other fast-food restaurants in that they do not have a traditional menu. Instead, their meals are made by customers who can make any combination of noodles, rice or pasta with more than 20 toppings available for them to choose from. This customization makes Noodles and Company popular among those seeking variety.
Noodles and Company offers a variety of soups, side dishes, and beverages. With all the options available for customers to add on their food items it is no wonder that Noodles & Company has been named one of Best Places in America by Esquire magazine.
This place is also unique because they don’t have any traditional tables or chairs. Noodles and Company is a grab-and-go restaurant that uses a process called “spoke & wheel” meaning customers get their food, fill up their water bottles and go to the next station which then becomes the place where they will either eat or work.
8. Pizza Hut
The oldest of the big pizza chains, Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by two brothers. The chain is known for its pan crust as well as unusual offerings like the Stuffed Crust. With over 16,000 restaurants worldwide and a menu that includes pasta, wings, breadsticks, and desserts such has cheesecake or chocolate lava cake, Pizza Hut is a top-selling pizza franchise.
The oldest of the big pizza chains, Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by two brothers. The chain is known for its pan crust as well as unusual offerings like the Stuffed Crust. With over 16,000 restaurants worldwide and a menu that includes pasta, wings, breadsticks, and desserts. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
9. Taco Bell
Taco Bell is the only restaurant on this list that was not founded in the United States. The company started out as a taco stand, and eventually grew to become one of the biggest Mexican fast-food chains with over 74 restaurants across 15 countries.
10. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is the last of the top ten fast-food chains. This restaurant offers a wide selection of burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream treats such as blizzards and Dilly Bars. There are over 5000 Dairy Queen restaurants worldwide, with more than 800 in the United States. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
DQ, the popular fast-food chain that specializes in Blizzards and other desserts has over 5700 restaurants worldwide. That’s some number for sure which speaks of their popularity with everyone from children to grown adults who are looking for a quick snack on their way home or during lunch break
11. Bon Au Pain
Bon Au Pain is a bakery chain that was founded in 1983. They offer a wide variety of freshly baked goods such as cookies, cakes, muffins and bread. There are over 170 different Bon Au Pain stores worldwide. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
The Au Bon Pain menu has something for everyone. It’s a healthy fast-food chain that is expanding at a rapid pace and includes everything from soups, salads to sandwiches with vegetables as the main ingredient. The founder of this company was Louis Kane who started three decades ago on his quest to provide people across the globe with tasty dishes made out of wholesome ingredients such as veggies and whole grains while still being affordable for most budgets!
12. Panera Bread
Panera Bread is a chain of bakery-cafes that was founded in 1974. They offer dine-in and take-out options for their customers which include soups, sandwiches, salads, and pastries as well as catering services with breads from the company’s own bakeries! Everything offered on this menu has some healthy components.
Panera Bread is the perfect choice for a healthy fast food restaurant. With over 1230 locations across North America, you’ll never have to go more than 100 miles before being back at one of their establishments. They are known for using only whole-grain bread in sandwiches and antibiotic/hormone-free chicken on salads, proving that not all “healthy” means giving up your favorite foods!
13. Chipotle
Chipotle is one of the fastest-growing Mexican quick-service restaurants in America. They offer a menu that’s made with fresh ingredients and without artificial preservatives, colors, flavors or genetically modified organisms. For people who want to eat healthy food on the go but don’t have time to do so at home, this is an excellent option!
The allure of Chipotle’s healthy dishes is that you get to pick your ingredients. As a buffet-style eatery, it allows customers like me the opportunity to add tinges of green tomatillo salsa and fajita veggies for extra flavor without adding too much fat or calories. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
14. Taco Del Mar
Taco Del Mar’s mission is to provide a quick stop for people who are looking for quality food at an affordable price. Taco del mar has outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of beautiful Gulf shores without having to go inside. It is definitely one of the Best Fast Food Chains in the World 2024.
The menu includes tacos, burritos and other Mexican favorites with just enough spice! If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by for a meal.
Taco Del Mar is one of my favorite places to go when someone tells me they want Mexican food on the go but don’t have time to do so at home this is an excellent option!
Conclusion
It’s a well-known fact that fast-food chains are no longer just about burgers and fries. Many people these days seek out restaurants with healthier options like the ones listed on this list. Whether you’re looking for tacos, salads or something in between, there is a place to suit your needs!
I hope this list has been helpful for those of you who are looking to eat healthier but still enjoy the quick and delicious experience that fast food chains have to offer!