Every year, Nation’s Restaurant News ranks the largest restaurant chains by domestic systemwide sales, giving a detailed look at the biggest players in the industry. This year, we partnered with Datassential and its Firefly data platform to provide information for 500 chains — more than ever before.
2020, of course, was a year unlike any other. For the full Top 500, systemwide sales fell 4.3%, from $319 billion in 2019 to $305.1 billion in 2020. In general, bigger chains dominated throughout the year.
In this gallery, get sales and growth data for restaurant chains ranked No. 100 to No. 51 in the United States in 2020 ranked by domestic systemwide sales. See restaurants from Checkers and Rally’s, with $866.2 million in sales — a 6% drop year-over-year — to Taco John’s, with $387.6 million — a 3.8% increase year-over-year.
Restaurant chains in this group saw growth as high as 21% year-over-year — that number belonging to Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which climbed 25 spots in the list this year. Many others saw negative growth numbers.
Here’s a look at the performance of some of the country’s largest restaurant brands.
Read more:
- 30 big restaurant chains that got even bigger in 2020, against all odds
- 2021 Top 500 countdown: The 50 biggest restaurants in America
- See the largest restaurant chains in America ranked by sales, units and more
The Top 500 report is presented by Nation’s Restaurant News and Datassential, using insights from Datassential’s proprietary Firefly platform. Datassential’s Firefly is the ultimate strategic tool — No. 1 operator database, lead generator, customer marketing and intelligence platform, all-in-one. Learn more about getting complete access at datassential.com/firefly
Update July 20, 2021: The Top 500 report has been updated to reflect newly available information, including revised figures for some restaurant chains.