The largest restaurant chains in America ranked by U.S. systemwide sales growth
The largest restaurant chains in America ranked by U.S. systemwide sales growth
The largest restaurant chains in America ranked by U.S. systemwide sales growth
NRN’s annual Top 200 report tracks the performance of the country’s largest restaurant chains. Here, the group is ranked by growth in Latest-Year U.S. systemwide sales.
The average systemwide sales growth rate of Top 200 chains was 1.4% in the Latest Year, down from a growth rate of 3.2% a year earlier.
The majority of brands, or 120, saw sales increase in the Latest Year, while the remaining 80 saw declines. Topping the list this year was Shake Shack, which had 34.5% Latest Year sales gain, following a 27.3% increase a year earlier. At the other end of the spectrum, Latest-Year sales were down 26.6% at Ruby Tuesday, following a 5.2% decrease a year earlier.
Among the fastest-growing chains by sales, chicken chains were standouts. In fact, four of the top 10 — Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Chick-fil-A, Wingstop and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen — have chicken as a core menu item.
For more on how results are calculated, see the Top 200 methodology.
Get the full results below.
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The largest restaurant chains in America ranked by U.S. systemwide sales
The methodology behind the Nation's Restaurant News Top 200
RANK | PRECEDING YEAR RANK | CHAIN | FISCAL YEAR | % CHANGE, LATEST VS. PRECEDING | % CHANGE, PRECEDING VS. PRIOR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Shake Shack | Dec. '19 | 34.52% | 27.31% |
2 | 2 | First Watch | Dec. '19 | 30.44% | 33.04% |
3 | 1 | MOD Pizza | Dec. '19 | 26.21% | 44.70% |
4 | 6 | Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers | Dec. '19 | 23.89% | 22.46% |
5 | 8 | Tropical Smoothie Cafe | Dec. '19 | 22.05% | 20.25% |
6 | 4 | Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar | Dec. '19 | 21.19% | 27.08% |
7 | 12 | Chick-fil-A | Dec. '19 | 21.14% | 16.68% |
8 | 14 | Wingstop | Dec. '19 | 20.24% | 15.71% |
9 | 11 | Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant | Dec. '19 | 19.94% | 16.75% |
10 | 63 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | Dec. '19 | 18.35% | 5.12% |
11 | 5 | The Habit Burger Grill | Dec. '19 | 16.91% | 22.86% |
12 | 9 | Jersey Mike's Subs | Dec. '19 | 16.67% | 17.82% |
13 | 13 | Black Bear Diner | Dec. '19 | 15.36% | 16.18% |
14 | 35 | Chipotle Mexican Grill | Dec. '19 | 14.95% | 8.95% |
15 | 31 | Culver's | Dec. '19 | 13.89% | 10.52% |
16 | 7 | True Food Kitchen | Dec. '19 | 13.77% | 22.17% |
17 | 20 | Saltgrass Steak House | Dec. '19 | 12.99% | 12.85% |
18 | 16 | Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Dec. '19 | 12.89% | 15.50% |
19 | 80 | Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House | Dec. '19 | 12.79% | 3.57% |
20 | 10 | Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza | Dec. '19 | 12.37% | 17.06% |
21 | 19 | Panda Express | Dec. '19 | 12.08% | 13.04% |
22 | 37 | Mountain Mike's Pizza | Dec. '19 | 11.60% | 8.45% |
23 | 54 | Wawa | Dec. '19 | 11.51% | 6.08% |
24 | 32 | Smoothie King | Dec. '19 | 11.04% | 10.41% |
25 | 33 | Texas Roadhouse | Dec. '19 | 10.94% | 9.55% |
26 | 43 | Jack's | Dec. '19 | 10.92% | 7.67% |
27 | 36 | Miller's Ale House | Dec. '19 | 10.32% | 8.87% |
28 | 26 | Firebirds Wood Fired Grill | Dec. '19 | 10.20% | 11.22% |
29 | 49 | Costco | Aug. '19 | 10.11% | 6.71% |
30 | 24 | Cafe Rio Mexican Grill | Dec. '19 | 9.14% | 11.48% |
31 | 57 | Taco Bell | Dec. '19 | 9.00% | 5.83% |
32 | 41 | Starbucks Coffee | Sept. '19 | 8.76% | 7.85% |
33 | 30 | Golden Chick | Dec. '19 | 8.20% | 10.62% |
34 | 27 | Charleys Philly Steaks | Dec. '19 | 8.10% | 10.97% |
35 | 51 | Zaxby's | Dec. '19 | 8.00% | 6.56% |
36 | 47 | Pizza Ranch | Dec. '19 | 7.88% | 6.79% |
37 | 69 | Panera Bread | Dec. '19 | 7.73% | 4.45% |
38 | 55 | Sheetz | Sept. '19 | 7.50% | 6.06% |
39 | 106 | Hungry Howie's Pizza | Dec. '19 | 7.27% | 1.69% |
40 | 29 | Dave & Buster's | Jan. '20 | 7.26% | 10.70% |
41 | 73 | In-N-Out Burger | Dec. '19 | 7.14% | 4.18% |
42 | 42 | Chuy's | Dec. '19 | 7.08% | 7.74% |
43 | 25 | Domino's | Dec. '19 | 6.87% | 11.25% |
44 | 91 | Peet's Coffee & Tea | Dec. '19 | 6.59% | 2.85% |
45 | 23 | Fogo de ChÜo | Dec. '19 | 5.96% | 11.74% |
46 | 58 | Krispy Kreme Doughnuts | Dec. '19 | 5.94% | 5.72% |
47 | 68 | Cinnabon | Dec. '19 | 5.93% | 4.67% |
47 | 84 | McAlister's Deli | Dec. '19 | 5.93% | 3.29% |
49 | 75 | Qdoba Mexican Eats | Sept. '19 | 5.86% | 4.05% |
50 | 56 | Whataburger | Dec. '19 | 5.80% | 6.03% |
51 | 123 | Sonic Drive-In | Aug. '19 | 5.42% | 0.87% |
52 | 44 | Portillo's | Dec. '19 | 5.41% | 7.59% |
53 | 64 | Caribou Coffee | Dec. '19 | 5.24% | 5.05% |
54 | 21 | Fuzzy's Taco Shop | Dec. '19 | 5.23% | 12.73% |
55 | 76 | Dunkin' | Dec. '19 | 5.03% | 3.88% |
56 | 53 | Sarku Japan | Dec. '19 | 5.00% | 6.17% |
57 | 100 | McDonald's | Dec. '19 | 4.90% | 2.35% |
58 | 48 | Marco's Pizza | Dec. '19 | 4.81% | 6.77% |
59 | 61 | Wienerschnitzel | Dec. '19 | 4.74% | 5.22% |
60 | 182 | Rally's Hamburgers | Dec. '19 | 4.71% | -5.55% |
62 | 34 | Pret A Manger | Dec. '19 | 4.20% | 9.52% |
63 | 109 | Wendy's | Dec. '19 | 4.18% | 1.53% |
64 | 70 | Del Taco | Dec. '19 | 4.01% | 4.32% |
65 | 39 | BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse | Dec. '19 | 3.99% | 8.25% |
66 | 62 | Wetzel's Pretzels | Dec. '19 | 3.87% | 5.18% |
67 | 40 | Twin Peaks | Dec. '19 | 3.78% | 7.88% |
68 | 79 | La Madeleine Country French Cafe | Dec. '19 | 3.76% | 3.65% |
69 | 18 | Mastro's Steakhouse/Ocean Club | Dec. '19 | 3.68% | 13.34% |
70 | 28 | Le Pain Quotidien | Dec. '19 | 3.60% | 10.92% |
71 | 133 | Dairy Queen | Dec. '19 | 3.09% | 0.34% |
72 | 124 | Einstein Bros. Bagels | Dec. '19 | 3.05% | 0.78% |
73 | 87 | El Pollo Loco | Dec. '19 | 3.01% | 3.16% |
74 | 22 | Five Guys Burgers and Fries | Dec. '19 | 2.84% | 12.48% |
75 | 108 | Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits | Dec. '19 | 2.73% | 1.58% |
76 | 85 | Burger King | Dec. '19 | 2.67% | 3.28% |
76 | 97 | Target Cafe (Target stores) | Jan. '20 | 2.67% | 2.43% |
76 | 90 | The Cheesecake Factory | Dec. '19 | 2.67% | 2.93% |
79 | 131 | KFC | Dec. '19 | 2.53% | 0.38% |
80 | 144 | Cold Stone Creamery | Nov. '19 | 2.43% | -1.02% |
81 | 92 | Hooters | Dec. '19 | 2.40% | 2.82% |
82 | 107 | White Castle | Dec. '19 | 2.21% | 1.63% |
83 | 46 | Casey's General Store | April '20 | 2.19% | 6.83% |
84 | 140 | Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores | Dec. '19 | 2.09% | -0.38% |
86 | 141 | Chuck E. Cheese's | Dec. '19 | 1.74% | -0.55% |
87 | 86 | Donatos Pizza | Dec. '19 | 1.56% | 3.23% |
88 | 17 | Firehouse Subs | Dec. '19 | 1.53% | 14.83% |
89 | 93 | P.F. Chang's China Bistro | Dec. '19 | 1.48% | 2.70% |
90 | 82 | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | July '19 | 1.34% | 3.48% |
91 | 129 | Captain D's Seafood Kitchen | Dec. '19 | 1.22% | 0.40% |
92 | 103 | Ruth's Chris Steak House | Dec. '19 | 1.17% | 2.11% |
93 | 152 | Carl's Jr. | Jan. '20 | 1.13% | -1.73% |
93 | 112 | Stripes | Dec. '19 | 1.13% | 1.41% |
95 | 135 | Jack in the Box | Sept. '19 | 1.11% | -0.09% |
96 | 122 | Denny's | Dec. '19 | 1.09% | 0.92% |
97 | 113 | Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Dec. '19 | 1.02% | 1.37% |
98 | 181 | Sam's Cafe (Walmart) | Jan. '20 | 1.01% | -5.53% |
99 | 110 | Little Caesars Pizza | Dec. '19 | 0.93% | 1.45% |
100 | 127 | Outback Steakhouse | Dec. '19 | 0.92% | 0.64% |
101 | 77 | IHOP | Dec. '19 | 0.88% | 3.86% |
102 | 138 | Auntie Anne's | Dec. '19 | 0.86% | -0.30% |
103 | 99 | Penn Station East Coast Subs | Dec. '19 | 0.85% | 2.40% |
104 | 136 | Round Table Pizza | Dec. '19 | 0.83% | -0.18% |
105 | 97 | Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom | Dec. '19 | 0.82% | 2.43% |
106 | 149 | Golden Corral | Dec. '19 | 0.77% | -1.45% |
107 | 132 | Noodles & Company | Dec. '19 | 0.68% | 0.36% |
108 | 156 | Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken | Dec. '19 | 0.65% | -2.37% |
109 | 121 | Baskin-Robbins | Dec. '19 | 0.53% | 0.93% |
110 | 114 | Taco John's | Dec. '19 | 0.48% | 1.23% |
111 | 200 | Romano's Macaroni Grill | Dec. '19 | 0.41% | -14.48% |
111 | 170 | Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q | Dec. '19 | 0.41% | -3.84% |
113 | 89 | Peter Piper Pizza | Dec. '19 | 0.38% | 3.06% |
114 | 128 | Pizza Hut | Dec. '19 | 0.36% | 0.49% |
115 | 102 | Newk's Eatery | Dec. '19 | 0.31% | 2.22% |
116 | 142 | Shari's Cafe & Pies | Dec. '19 | 0.24% | -0.70% |
117 | 172 | Which Wich Superior Sandwiches | Dec. '19 | 0.15% | -4.02% |
118 | 120 | Legal Sea Foods | Dec. '19 | 0.12% | 0.99% |
119 | 115 | Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub | Dec. '19 | 0.06% | 1.19% |
120 | 129 | California Pizza Kitchen | Dec. '19 | 0.03% | 0.40% |
121 | 66 | Godfather's Pizza | May '20 | -0.04% | 4.86% |
122 | 45 | Arby's | Dec. '19 | -0.05% | 6.96% |
123 | 165 | Corner Bakery Cafe | Dec. '19 | -0.25% | -3.44% |
124 | 94 | Fazoli's | March '20 | -0.34% | 2.59% |
125 | 191 | Buca di Beppo | Dec. '19 | -0.35% | -7.19% |
126 | 117 | Moe's Southwest Grill | Dec. '19 | -0.50% | 1.02% |
127 | 126 | Sbarro | Dec. '19 | -0.51% | 0.65% |
128 | 150 | Checkers | Dec. '19 | -0.55% | -1.47% |
129 | 71 | Benihana | March '20 | -0.62% | 4.27% |
130 | 157 | Big Boy/Frisch's Big Boy | Dec. '19 | -0.63% | -2.44% |
131 | 15 | Circle K | April '20 | -0.77% | 15.61% |
132 | 174 | Bonefish Grill | Dec. '19 | -0.86% | -4.35% |
133 | 185 | Rubio's Coastal Grill | Dec. '19 | -0.90% | -5.75% |
134 | 171 | Carrabba's Italian Grill | Dec. '19 | -0.99% | -4.00% |
135 | 78 | Morton's the Steakhouse | Dec. '19 | -1.07% | 3.79% |
136 | 148 | Beef 'O' Brady's Family Sports Pub | Dec. '19 | -1.15% | -1.44% |
137 | 81 | Bar Louie | Dec. '19 | -1.36% | 3.51% |
138 | 134 | Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches | Dec. '19 | -1.65% | 0.04% |
139 | 166 | Subway | Dec. '19 | -2.02% | -3.61% |
140 | 143 | Potbelly Sandwich Shop | Dec. '19 | -2.19% | -1.01% |
141 | 163 | Tim Hortons | Dec. '19 | -2.31% | -3.42% |
142 | 83 | Black Angus/Cattle Company Steakhouse | Dec. '19 | -2.60% | 3.31% |
143 | 196 | Papa John's Pizza | Dec. '19 | -2.70% | -9.78% |
144 | 168 | Logan's Roadhouse | Dec. '19 | -2.71% | -3.77% |
145 | 161 | Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews | Dec. '19 | -2.76% | -3.08% |
146 | 96 | Jamba Juice | Dec. '19 | -2.90% | 2.45% |
148 | 160 | Hardee's | Jan. '20 | -3.00% | -3.03% |
149 | 178 | On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina | Dec. '19 | -3.15% | -5.24% |
150 | 144 | Buffalo Wild Wings | Dec. '19 | -3.30% | -1.02% |
151 | 125 | Pollo Tropical | Dec. '19 | -3.31% | 0.66% |
152 | 183 | Uno Chicago Grill/Pizzeria Uno | Sept. '19 | -3.32% | -5.61% |
153 | 38 | Zoes Kitchen | Dec. '19 | -3.34% | 8.35% |
154 | 154 | Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. | Dec. '19 | -3.50% | -2.10% |
155 | 59 | Taco Cabana | Dec. '19 | -3.70% | 5.65% |
156 | 189 | Pei Wei Asian Kitchen | Dec. '19 | -3.97% | -6.59% |
157 | 173 | Church's Chicken | Dec. '19 | -4.14% | -4.10% |
158 | 139 | Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill | Dec. '19 | -4.57% | -0.33% |
159 | 116 | Jason's Deli | Dec. '19 | -4.74% | 1.08% |
160 | 151 | Schlotzsky's | Dec. '19 | -4.87% | -1.58% |
161 | 194 | Mimi's Bistro & Bakery | Dec. '19 | -5.00% | -9.13% |
162 | 179 | Hard Rock Cafe | Dec. '19 | -5.06% | -5.37% |
163 | 175 | Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza | Dec. '19 | -5.21% | -4.38% |
164 | 118 | Krystal | Dec. '19 | -5.54% | 1.01% |
165 | 190 | Smashburger | Dec. '19 | -5.80% | -6.95% |
166 | 187 | Cicis | Dec. '19 | -5.86% | -5.83% |
166 | 65 | Olive Garden | May '20 | -5.86% | 5.02% |
168 | 158 | Shoney's | Dec. '19 | -5.91% | -2.48% |
169 | 192 | BRIO Italian Mediterranean | Dec. '19 | -6.03% | -8.73% |
169 | 52 | LongHorn Steakhouse | May '20 | -6.03% | 6.25% |
171 | 180 | Perkins Restaurant & Bakery | Dec. '19 | -6.09% | -5.47% |
172 | 198 | Famous Dave's | Dec. '19 | -6.27% | -10.40% |
173 | 72 | Huddle House | April '20 | -6.33% | 4.21% |
174 | 166 | Houlihan's | Sept. '19 | -7.33% | -3.61% |
175 | 153 | Luby's Cafeteria | Aug. '19 | -7.47% | -1.87% |
176 | 164 | Bob Evans Restaurants | April '20 | -8.21% | -3.43% |
177 | 197 | Johnny Rockets | Dec. '19 | -8.38% | -9.85% |
178 | 176 | Dickey's Barbecue Pit | May '20 | -9.12% | -4.85% |
179 | 119 | Red Lobster | May '20 | -9.43% | 1.00% |
180 | 169 | Joe's Crab Shack | Dec. '19 | -9.44% | -3.80% |
181 | 193 | Au Bon Pain | Dec. '19 | -9.63% | -8.76% |
182 | 147 | Boston Market | Dec. '19 | -10.04% | -1.33% |
183 | 188 | Fuddruckers | Aug. '19 | -10.56% | -6.53% |
184 | 50 | Yard House | May '20 | -11.44% | 6.59% |
185 | 95 | Chili's Grill & Bar | June '20 | -11.48% | 2.49% |
186 | 67 | The Capital Grille/Burger | May '20 | -11.49% | 4.70% |
187 | 60 | The Melting Pot | Dec. '19 | -11.91% | 5.64% |
188 | 184 | TGI Fridays | Dec. '19 | -13.11% | -5.72% |
189 | 195 | Long John Silver's | Dec. '19 | -13.15% | -9.26% |
189 | 111 | Seasons 52 | May '20 | -13.15% | 1.44% |
191 | 155 | Sizzler | April '20 | -13.65% | -2.18% |
192 | 186 | O'Charley's | Dec. '19 | -13.90% | -5.80% |
193 | 159 | Steak 'n Shake | Dec. '19 | -15.32% | -3.01% |
194 | 136 | Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen | May '20 | -16.72% | -0.18% |
195 | 104 | Waffle House | May '20 | -17.21% | 1.98% |
196 | 74 | Bahama Breeze | May '20 | -17.81% | 4.10% |
197 | 199 | Friendly's | Dec. '19 | -17.82% | -11.11% |
198 | 105 | Maggiano's Little Italy | June '20 | -18.21% | 1.79% |
199 | 162 | Village Inn | Dec. '19 | -18.89% | -3.12% |
200 | 177 | Ruby Tuesday | May '20 | -26.56% | -5.16% |
Average Top 200 Sales Growth Rate: | 1.38% | 3.25% |