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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.

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Pool Scouts

John Breton of Pool Scouts Named Franchisee of the Year

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Integrity Franchise Group

How to Work with Integrity Franchise Group: The Seven-Step Process

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Mainland

Top Chicago PR Firm Mainland: Why the Consistency of PR Drumbeat Matters in Sales

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Fresh Coat

photo of Fresh Coat Painters franchisees Isabel Calero and Diego Berto

Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees Expand to Serve Roswell, Sandy Springs, Duluth and Alpharetta

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Layne's Chicken Fingers

"Layne’s Is My Final Hurrah": Scott Davis on Finding the Right Franchise and Building for the Future

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

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