1851

QSR Magazine's recently released ranking of the top 50 highest-grossing brands <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/slideshow/these-15-fast-food-chains-earn-the-most-per-restaurant/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">includes the top 15 chains that generate the most revenue per location</a>, with franchises like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Whataburger and Culver’s topping the list.&nbsp;Here’s a look at the fast-food chains that reigned supreme.&nbsp;1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chick-fil-A</a>With an astounding $7.45 million in average sales per unit,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-chick-fil-a-franchise-2724659">Chick-fil-A</a> leads the pack. The brand operates 2,552 units, with 2,494 being franchised.&nbsp;2. Raising Cane'sRaising Cane's averages $5.69 million per unit, predominantly through its 703 company-owned stores. This brand is not currently franchising.3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McDonald's</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-mcdonalds-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720737#stories">McDonald's</a>, a global giant, generates $4 million per unit across its 13,457 locations, with 12,772 franchised. The brand’s franchising model continues to fuel its dominance, with systemwide sales of $53.1 billion.4.&nbsp;<a href="https://whataburger.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Whataburger</a>Averaging $3.96 million per unit, Whataburger operates nearly 1,000 locations, with a balance of franchised and company-owned stores.&nbsp;5. Shake ShackKnown for premium burgers, Shake Shack brings in $3.9 million per unit across 334 locations, with a focus on high-traffic areas. This brand is not currently franchising in the U.S.6.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Culver's</a>With an AUV of $3.49 million,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-culvers-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720843">Culver's</a> operates 944 units, primarily franchised, making it a key player in the QSR industry.7.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/company/franchise-information.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Panera Bread</a>Panera Bread, with an AUV of $3.3 million, operates over 2,000 units, split between franchised and company-owned locations.8. In-N-Out BurgerIn-N-Out Burger averages $3.13 million per unit across its 398 company-owned locations, maintaining its no-franchise policy.9. ChipotleChipotle's $3.02 million per unit across 3,437 company-owned locations highlights its strong brand presence without franchising.10.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zaxbys.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Zaxby’s</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-zaxbys-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2723772">Zaxby’s</a>, with $2.69 million in sales per unit, leverages its 756 franchised units to achieve growth.11. Panda ExpressAveraging $2.55 million per unit, Panda Express operates 2,420 units, with a growing number of 172 licensed locations. The brand is not currently franchising.12.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bojanglesfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bojangles</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-bojangles-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721551">Bojangles</a> sees $2.27 million per unit across its 813 units, with 528 franchised.&nbsp;13.&nbsp;<a href="https://elpollolocofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">El Pollo Loco</a>El Pollo Loco, averaging $2.2 million per unit, operates 495 units, with 172 franchised locations.14.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tacobell.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Taco Bell</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-taco-bell-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720788">Taco Bell</a>, with $2.1 million per unit, operates over 7,000 units, most of which are franchised (6,922).&nbsp;15.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wendys.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wendy’s</a>Rounding out the top 15,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-wendys-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722520">Wendy’s</a> averages $2.06 million per unit across 6,030 locations, with 5,627 franchised units.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant-2727308" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Top 15 U.S. Quick-Service Chains Earning the Most per Restaurant

Top 15 Quick-Service Chains with the Highest Revenue per Restaurant

1851 Franchise

Chick-fil-A leads QSR Magazine’s list of top-earning restaurant chains, with Raising Cane’s, McDonald’s, Whataburger and Culver’s also ranking high for average unit sales.

top-15-us-quick-service-chains-earning-the-most-per-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Why Franchisees Are Buying — and Expanding — with Children’s Lighthouse

why-franchisees-are-buying-and-expanding-with-childrens-lighthouse

Mosquito Squad

image of a mosquito squad franchisee visiting a site for bidding

Why More Families Are Saying Goodbye to Mosquitoes — and Hello to Mosquito Squad Plus

mosquito-squad-pest-control-consumer-benefits

image of mosquito squad franchise team in front of a nice home

Built To Outsmart the Buzz: Why Mosquito Squad Plus Is the Franchise Opportunity Pest Control Entrepreneurs Have Been Waiting For

mosquito-squad-franchise-opportunity

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Decided To Invest in KidStrong

why-this-orangetheory-fitness-franchise-owner-decided-to-invest-in-kidstrong

Building Stronger Futures: How KidStrong’s Atlanta Footprint Is Sparking Transformational Growth

building-stronger-futures-how-kidstrongs-atlanta-footprint-is-sparking-transformational-growth

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

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

U.S. Budget Deficit Rises as Tariff Revenues Increase — Potential Considerations for Franchising

us-budget-deficit-rises-as-tariff-revenues-increase-potential-considerations-for-franchising

Dickey's Franchisee Backlash - Lawsuits - Disputes - 1851 Franchise

Texas-Based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grapples with Franchisee Backlash

dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits

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

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

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Top 15 U.S. Quick-Service Chains Earning the Most per Restaurant

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS