The most popular fast food chains in the US generated nearly $400 BILLION in sales last year

The largest fast food chains in the United States will generate around $400 billion by 2021, with one major chain alone amassing a whopping $46 billion.

New data shared by Quick Service Restaurant Magazine revealed that the top fast food chains in the US include fast food chains such as Taco Bell, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks and Dunkin’.

The country’s most popular fast food chain has just over 13,000 locations across the country and opened in 1940, with the first franchise opening in 1955.

In addition, the chain has a huge commercial success all over the world and is currently present in more than 100 countries.

Do you think you know which chain it is? Keep scrolling to find out if you’re right.

Starbucks also made the top 10 list in the new survey data

At the bottom of the list was White Castle at number 50, which grossed some $615 million

Here are the top 10 fast food chains in the US according to a breakdown of earnings in 2021

If your best bet was McDonald’s, you were right.

McDonald’s, which came in at number one on the top 50 list, has a significant number of locations across the country, with more than 12,000 franchised stores.

The report also notes that the iconic burger joint owns and operates nearly 1,000 of its own stores.

Second behind McDonald’s on the list is Starbucks, which made just over $24 billion in 2021.

Starbucks and Dunkin’ also both made the top 10 earnings list with Dunkin’ at number 6 and grossing $10.4 billion.

However, the second most profitable food chain is Chick-Fil-A, which ranks third on the list.

Despite having fewer than 3,000 locations across the country, the company reported a massive $16.7 billion in 2021 sales from their beloved chicken products.

Finishing off the top ten list is Taco Bell at #4 ($12.6 billion), Wendy’s at #5 ($11.1 billion), Burger King at #7 ($10 billion), Subway at #8 ($9 .4 billion), Domino’s at #9 ($8.6 billion) and Chipotle at #10 ($7.5 billion).

At the bottom of the list at No. 50 was White Castle, which grossed approximately $615 million, alongside Moe’s and Baskin Robins.

The list of total sales is somewhat in line with the ranking of which fast food restaurants currently operate the most franchised locations, with one major exception.

A breakdown of fast food chains in the United States by profit

The country’s most popular fast food chain was, unsurprisingly, McDonald’s with a profit of almost $50 billion in 2021

Chipotle, which was number 10 on the list with the most sales, was number 16 in the number of locations with a measly 3,100 stores in the US.

Here are the top fast food chains based on the number of locations across the country

The most franchised fast food location in the United States is Subway.

The sandwich shop known for offering healthier options has more than 20,000 stores nationwide.

Just behind Subway is Starbucks with 15,966 stores, followed by McDonald’s with 13,515 and Dunkin’ with just under 10,000.

Hunt Brothers Pizza — which operated primarily in the Midwest and South — ranks just below Dunkin’ at 9,240 locations.

Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Wendy’s and Dairy Queen all track the top five fast food chains with a number of stores ranging from 8,000 to 4,300.

Chipotle, which was number 10 on the list with the most sales, was number 16 in the number of locations with a measly 3,100 stores in the US.