Changes in Restaurant Chain Ranking
Starbucks Jumps Burger King & Wendy’s To Become No. 3 U.S. Restaurant Chain
by Slashfood Editor, Posted Apr 27th 2011 @ 1:00PM
Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Despite its coffee-centric menu, Starbucks is now the third largest restaurant chain in terms of domestic sales, according to Technomic’s listing of America’s top 500 restaurant chains in total 2010 U.S. sales. Completing the trifecta is McDonald’s in the number one spot, followed by Subway at number two. USA Today explains that Starbucks’ rise to the top signifies a shift in the American palate. For decades, McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s dominated the top three, and all served a similar hamburger-focused menu. Now, within the new top three, only McDonald’s serves burgers. Overall, the top 500 chains reported a 1.8% sales growth in 2010, with total estimated sales of $234 billion.
Here’s the Top 5 list:
1. McDonald’s
2. Subway
3. Starbucks
4. Burger King
5. Wendy’s
