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Fast casual has stormed the <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/reports/qsr50-2016-top-50-chart?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-ranks-the-top-50-limited-service-restaurant-brands-in-the-us-5404" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">QSR 50</a> in the last few years, with Panera Bread entering the top 10 and Chipotle close at its heels. That trend continued in 2015; Panera and Chipotle each padded their sales, with the latter leap-frogging both Sonic and KFC in the rankings. (Of course, Chipotle&#8217;s food-safety woes struck at the end of 2015, a sales hit that will likely be reflected in next year&#8217;s QSR 50). Elsewhere in fast casual, a pair of sandwich chains&#8212;Jersey Mike&#8217;s and Firehouse Subs&#8212;continued their incredible momentum up the list, while Wingstop similarly managed to jump multiple spots in the rankings. Meanwhile, legacy quick-service chains were a mixed bag in 2015. McDonald&#8217;s finally found its footing after years of disappointing sales returns, and Taco Bell managed to jump Wendy&#8217;s and solidify a spot in the QSR 50&#8217;s top five. But KFC ceded more ground in the chicken wars, slipping to spot No. 14 overall&#8212;only six spots and just over $1 billion in sales ahead of Popeyes, which enjoyed a major boost in 2015. <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/QSR-50?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=qsr-magazine-ranks-the-top-50-limited-service-restaurant-brands-in-the-us-5404" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read the full list.

1851 Franchise

The QSR 50 shows that fast casual brands are continuing to move up the ranks.

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The Junkluggers

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How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers Franchise

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BIGGBY COFFEE

 BIGGBY® COFFEE Cracks Top 200 on Franchise Times Top 400, Climbing More Than 100 Spots in Four Years

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