1851

Despite just about everything that has happened in 2020, Shake Shack managed to have quite a year, achieving 34.5% growth over last year. That was enough to put the fast-casual chain at the top of <a href="https://www.nrn.com/top-200-restaurants/meet-top-200-restaurant-chains-america?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nrn-rounds-up-the-10-fastest-growing-restaurant-chains-in-america-2713361" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nation’s Restaurant News’s ranking of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America</a> this year, displacing last-year’s top-ranking brand, MOD Pizza, which fell to the number-three spot.Unsurprisingly, given the social-distancing protocols that closed public dining areas in markets across the country, limited-service chains are well represented in this year’s rankings, occupying seven of the ten placements.Perhaps less predictably, chicken is the most popular menu item among the restaurants listed, due in part, no doubt, to a renewed buzz around chicken sandwiches sparked by the wildly successful rollout of Popeyes’ chicken sandwich last year.<blockquote>All 10 had double-digit year-over-year growth in domestic sales, ranging from about 18% to more than 34%, for their latest completed fiscal years, which ended in late 2019 and early 2020. Given that timing, these results largely predate the impact of coronavirus, which continues to unfold. Still, they offer insights as to which brands had the strongest momentum coming into this year.&nbsp;</blockquote><a href="https://www.nrn.com/top-200-restaurants/meet-10-fastest-growing-restaurant-chains-america?NL=NRN-012&amp%3BIssue=NRN-012_20200623_NRN-012_800&amp%3Bsfvc4enews=42&amp%3Bcl=article_1&amp%3Butm_rid=CPG06000022528563&amp%3Butm_campaign=39109&amp%3Butm_medium=email&amp%3Belq2=43db5c0b11ac4e98989afd391c4f73de&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nrn-rounds-up-the-10-fastest-growing-restaurant-chains-in-america-2713361" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Head to nrn.com to see the full list.</a>

NRN Rounds up the 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains in America

1851 Franchise

Shake Shack tops this year’s list with 34.5% year-over-year growth.

nrn-rounds-up-the-10-fastest-growing-restaurant-chains-in-america

Lawn Doctor

Happinest-Lawn-Doctor-Franchisee-Ralph-Valle-Profile-Jacksonville-FL-June-2025

From Near-Quit to 7 Figures: Success With Lawn Doctor in Jacksonville, Florida

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-jacksonville

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings Debuts in Metro East With Fairview Heights Grand Opening

atomic-wings-debuts-in-metro-east-with-fairview-heights-grand-opening

Pet Wants

Pet Wants Shares Expert Tips on Cleaning Pet Gear Safely in the Dishwasher

pet-wants-shares-expert-tips-on-cleaning-pet-gear-safely-in-the-dishwasher

Griswold

Griswold in Andover, Minnesota, Connects Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

griswold-in-andover-minnesota-connects-students-and-seniors-through-pen-pal-program

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee Max Moarefdoust

Corporate Employee Turned Owner Illustrates the Power of the HomeTeam Model

max-moarefdoust-hometeam-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

NRN Rounds up the 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains in America

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS