{"id":18851,"date":"2026-01-02T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/?p=18851"},"modified":"2026-01-27T05:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T05:39:10","slug":"number-of-fast-food-restaurants-in-america-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/number-of-fast-food-restaurants-in-america-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Number of Fast Food Restaurants in America: Key Statistics, Growth Trends &amp; Market Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18851\" class=\"elementor elementor-18851\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bdeb84 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7bdeb84\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3037cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3037cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. restaurant industry for simple reasons \u2013 it is easily accessible, predictable, and convenient. In most U.S. cities and suburbs, you\u2019re rarely more than a few minutes from a quick-service counter, a drive-thru, or a delivery-ready kitchen. That level of accessibility tells you how dense the market really is and how much demand exists.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So the real question is, how many fast food restaurants does the U.S. market have, and what does that number tell us about demand and competition? Because outlet count shapes pricing power, labor needs, supply chains, and growth opportunities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article explores the current number of fast food restaurants in America, how it\u2019s evolved, and what the numbers signal for expansion, saturation, and strategy.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-843e813 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"843e813\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b2829e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1b2829e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9450144 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9450144\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The U.S. fast food industry supports over 210,000 locations, making up nearly one-third of all restaurants nationwide.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This scale is sustained by consistent consumer demand, especially for convenience and value-focused meals.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchising plays a central role in expansion, allowing brands to grow quickly while managing capital risk.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80% of U.S. consumers have fast food at least once a month, spending over $140 on average.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-thrus and digital ordering channels are highly preferred for ordering fast food in the U.S.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bca140f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bca140f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Number of Fast Food Restaurants in America Statistics<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2024, there are roughly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-states\/number-of-businesses\/fast-food-restaurants\/1980\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">212,888 fast food restaurant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> locations operating across the United States, up roughly 1.7% from the previous year. These are outlets defined under limited-service or quick-service formats where customers order at a counter, drive-thru, kiosk, or digital channel.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>A. Fast Food vs. Total U.S. Restaurants<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To put that number in context, the total number of eating and drinking establishments in the U.S., including full-service restaurants, bars, caf\u00e9s, and fast-casual concepts, is well over 700,000 units.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that fast food accounts for roughly one-third of all restaurant units in the country, reinforcing how central quick service remains to dining patterns.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>B. Market Size and Growth of Fast Food Restaurants in the U.S.<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fast food market in the U.S. is valued at almost <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imarcgroup.com\/united-states-fast-food-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$189 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2024, thanks to the rising consumer demand for convenience, growing delivery and pickup orders, and ongoing menu diversification supporting the growth.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same forecast projects the U.S. fast-food market to grow at about a 3.4% CAGR between 2025 and 2033, reaching <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imarcgroup.com\/united-states-fast-food-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$261.9 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by 2033.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>C. Independent Fast Food Outlets vs. Chain Footprint<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fast food sector consists of both large multi-unit chains and independent operators:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Major chain networks<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> account for the bulk of total units and are typically franchised. For example, in 2025, Subway operated around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scrapehero.com\/location-reports\/10-largest-food-chains-in-the-usa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20,162<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> U.S. locations, followed by Starbucks with 17,286 and McDonald\u2019s with 13,711 outlets.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Independent and regional operators<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serve smaller markets and contribute to local diversity, though they represent a smaller share of total outlet counts.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>What\u2019s Fueling Fast Food Demand in the U.S. Today?<\/b><\/h2><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18866\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-demand.webp\" alt=\"High fast food demand\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-demand.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-demand-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-demand-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The U.S. fast-food footprint continues to expand as demand consistently grows across multiple consumer groups and channels. Here are the key forces shaping this growth-<\/span><\/p><h3><b>1. Convenience Culture and Time-Pressed Consumers<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most Americans, time is the most limited resource, and fast food fills that gap. With urbanization and high workforce participation, the need for quick, ready-to-eat meals is also rising.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s consumers want meals that fit into their daily routines, between work commitments, errands, and family life. Fast food satisfies that demand with low preparation and wait times without requiring a full dining-in experience.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>2. Value Perception vs Full-Service Restaurants<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Value is another reason why fast food is in demand. Even as discretionary spending shifts, many consumers continue choosing quick service because it feels more affordable and offers clear portion value.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fast food sector grew at a 3.7% CAGR to reach roughly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-states\/industry\/fast-food-restaurants\/1980\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$412.7 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by 2025, outpacing some full-service segments and illustrating continued consumer reliance on quick meals.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers often compare cost with perceived quality and portion size. Fast food outlets offer value meals, bundles, and deals more aggressively than many full-service competitors, keeping demand strong even when broader dining spending fluctuates.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>3. Delivery, Takeout, and Digital Ordering<\/b><\/h3><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18867\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-takeout.webp\" alt=\"Digital ordering and takeout\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-takeout.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-takeout-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Fast-food-takeout-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Off-premise dining has become a staple of how Americans eat, and popular fast food chains have adapted quickly.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the pandemic era and beyond, the U.S. food delivery market more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cloudkitchens.com\/blog\/food-delivery-statistics-and-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doubled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, building on historical growth rates and making delivery a core revenue stream for restaurants of all types.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumer data <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indicates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that around 23% of Americans prefer having fast food delivered, while another 10% favor online ordering and pickup.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Takeout and delivery now drive a substantial share of restaurant traffic, with recent industry reports showing about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodandwine.com\/restaurant-takeout-trend-national-restaurant-association-report-2025-11733929\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75% of all restaurant orders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are takeout or delivery. This trend makes fast food more attractive than sit-down dining for many consumers.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>4. Familiarity and Brand Recognition<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand strength drives repeat visits. Many fast food concepts have become household names across generations, and that recognition helps bring in repeat business when choosing where to eat.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Familiar menus and consistent customer experiences make marketing more efficient and reduce the trial barrier for customers, which helps large chains convert casual diners into frequent guests.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>5. Portion Expectations and Price Anchoring<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers don\u2019t just want fast food because it\u2019s fast. They want perceived value in portion size and pricing psychology.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast-food pricing strategies use anchoring (e.g., combo deals, upsell bundles) to make higher-priced tiers feel more economical relative to classic full-service offerings. This approach keeps customers coming back for both everyday meals and occasional indulgences.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>EXPERT OPINION<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1b0219 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e1b0219\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdfa242 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fdfa242\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-412064e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"412064e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robertdwright\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bob Wright<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, CEO, Potbelly, says, \u201cOur primary challenge lies in evolving with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qsrmagazine.com\/growth\/fast-casual\/14-restaurant-leaders-on-the-trends-challenges-and-opportunities-of-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shifting consumer behaviors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and expectations for convenience in QSR. With 40 percent of our total sales coming from digital channels, we\u2019ve seen a clear signal that customers are seeking seamless digital ordering experiences to get their orders when and how they want.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He further adds, \u201cCustomers today are weighing the overall value of their meals, focusing on more than just the lowest price. Still, we see that diners aren\u2019t willing to compromise on quality or the dining experience. We\u2019re taking all of that into consideration, thinking about how we can provide dependable value for our guests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-183994a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"183994a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>The Role of Franchising in Fast Food Restaurant Expansion<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchising is one of the biggest reasons the U.S. fast food industry continues to scale to hundreds of thousands of locations. It spreads capital requirements across thousands of owner-operators while allowing brands to grow quickly, standardize operations, and compete on a national scale.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Share of Outlets Run by Franchisees<\/b><\/h3><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vast majority of chain restaurants in the U.S. rely on franchise operators:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barandrestaurant.com\/chains\/what-percentage-chain-restaurants-are-franchise-operated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roughly 74%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of all chain restaurant locations are operated by franchisees or licensees rather than corporate ownership. This represents more than 191,000 franchised units among nearly 260,000 total chain restaurants.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In specific fast food systems, this share can be even higher. For example, historically, around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fool.com\/investing\/general\/2016\/04\/03\/what-percentage-of-mcdonalds-restaurants-are-owned.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">82% of McDonald\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> U.S. restaurants were owned by franchisees, and several other major brands follow similar models.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to market projections, fast food franchises were expected to grow by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchise.org\/2025\/02\/led-by-fast-food-restaurants-franchising-is-expected-to-have-a-big-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 2.2%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2025, adding new establishments even as some independents face tighter competition.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This franchise dominance enables brands to aggressively expand their footprint without deploying their full capital.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A broader look at franchising in the U.S. shows that food franchises account for about 30% of all franchise establishments nationally and a large share of total franchise employment and output.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Franchise vs. Corporate Ownership<\/b><\/h3><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18871\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Franchise.webp\" alt=\"Fast food franchising\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Franchise.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Franchise-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Franchise-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchise ownership changes the expansion equation-<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Franchise Model<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchisees invest their own capital to build, staff, and operate units.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operators carry local risk and incentivize performance because earnings tie directly to store success.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parent brands collect royalties, marketing contributions, and technology fees without financing most builds.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Corporate Ownership<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brands retain full control but must fund expansions themselves, which limits expansion speed and increases capital strain.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A minority of units remain corporate-run for strategic control points, test kitchens, or high-visibility markets.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Across fast-food chains, multi-unit franchisees dominate the landscape, a trend that lowers overhead for parents and speeds network growth.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>What are the Advantages of Franchises for Fast Food Restaurants?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The franchise model offers real operational benefits that directly influence how fast food brands expand and grow. Key advantages include:<\/span><\/p><h4><b>1. Supply Chain Power<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larger franchised systems can negotiate better pricing on food, packaging, and equipment because they purchase at high volume. That lowers unit costs and protects margins for both franchisor and franchisee, especially when input prices rise.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>2. National Marketing<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchised brands pool marketing dollars to fund national advertising, loyalty programs, and brand-building activity that independents simply can\u2019t match. Local operators get the benefit of national visibility without carrying the full spend alone.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>3. Shared Technology Infrastructure<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchisees often have standardized POS systems, online ordering, loyalty, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/restaurant-inventory-management-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inventory management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and delivery integrations across thousands of units. That spreads tech investment over a larger base, reducing per-unit cost and speeding up adoption of new tools.<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18880\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tech-support.webp\" alt=\"Technology support\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tech-support.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tech-support-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tech-support-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><h4><b>4. Data and Performance Benchmarking<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big franchise networks operate with huge volumes of unit-level data, from labor efficiency to menu mix and throughput. That allows brands to test, optimize, and roll out proven strategies quickly, helping new and existing locations ramp up faster.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>5. Financing and Expansion Support<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scale improves access to capital for operators and investors. Lenders are more comfortable financing units tied to established systems with predictable economics, which accelerates market expansion.<\/span><\/p><h4><b>6. Training, Support, and Talent Pipelines<\/b><\/h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Franchised brands also benefit from centralized training, playbooks, and leadership development, creating consistent execution across markets and reducing onboarding time for new staff and new stores.<\/span><\/p><h2><b>Fast Food Restaurants in America: Consumer Behavior and Preferences<\/b><\/h2><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18872\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Consumer-preferences.webp\" alt=\"Consumer preferences\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Consumer-preferences.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Consumer-preferences-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Consumer-preferences-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the size of the fast-food footprint is only half the picture. The other half is consumer behavior. This includes how often people choose fast food, how much they spend, and what drives those decisions. These patterns explain why the category continues to scale, even in a competitive and cost-pressured environment.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>A. Frequency of Fast-Food Consumption<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zappi.io\/web\/blog\/how-consumers-view-qsr-and-fast-food-restaurants-today\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80% of U.S. consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> eat fast food at least once a month, and 43% do so four or more times a month.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">65% of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consume fast food at least once a week.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13% of Americans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> report eating fast food every day.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">95% of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have eaten fast food in the past 12 months, showing near-universal penetration.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>B. Spending and Purchase Behavior in Fast Food<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers spend an average of about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$148 per month<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on fast food, reflecting how routine quick-service dining is in household budgets.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online food delivery is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top preference<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for purchasing fast food for Millennials.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/merchants.doordash.com\/en-us\/blog\/food-delivery-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70% of U.S. diners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say they\u2019ve used delivery in the past month, and fast-food\/quick service restaurant brands are among the most frequently ordered categories.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.escoffier.edu\/blog\/world-food-drink\/consumer-dining-trends-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">63% of Americans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> choose fast-food cuisine when they order takeout or delivery, making it the single most popular category for off-premise spending.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>C. Preferences &amp; Attitudes<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers in the South and West regions report a higher frequency of eating fast food, with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zappi.io\/web\/blog\/how-consumers-view-qsr-and-fast-food-restaurants-today\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 10%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> getting fast food more than 10 times per month.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On any given day,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/products\/databriefs\/db533.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roughly 32%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of adults aged 20 and older consume fast food, with younger adults more likely to include it as part of their daily diet.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Younger adults (ages 18-34) have the highest regular consumption, with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/yougov.com\/en-us\/articles\/51403-american-fast-food-whos-eating-what-and-wheres-the-best-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around 42%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> eating fast food several times per week, compared with lower shares among older adults.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>How Ordering Channels Influence Fast Food Operations?<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ordering behavior can influence the way restaurants design locations, staff teams, and plan growth. Let\u2019s take a look at them-<\/span><\/p><h3><b>1. Drive-Thru<\/b><\/h3><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18876\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Drive-thru-ordering.webp\" alt=\"Drive thru ordering\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Drive-thru-ordering.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Drive-thru-ordering-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Drive-thru-ordering-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-thru is a dominant ordering channel in the U.S. fast food market.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industry reports show <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.driveresearch.com\/market-research-company-blog\/fast-food-consumption-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40% of American diners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer drive-thrus to purchase fast food.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That share increased during the pandemic and is consistently growing because consumers still choose car-based ordering for speed and convenience, especially in suburban markets.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because such a high share of revenue comes through drive-thrus, restaurants are designed around traffic flow, order accuracy, and throughput optimization. That directly impacts building footprint, staffing patterns at peak times, and even site selection strategy.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>2. Mobile Ordering and Delivery<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital ordering keeps expanding, driven by loyalty apps and third-party delivery platforms.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At many leading QSR brands, online and mobile orders now <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accio.com\/business\/fast-food-sales-trends\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">represent 20%+<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of total transactions, and much higher for some chains.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delivery usage remains widespread, with a majority of U.S. diners reporting delivery use in the past month, and fast-food cuisine consistently ranking as the top delivery category.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/restroapp-food-delivery-app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">app ordering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have streamlined operations by shifting volume away from traditional counter queues and into off-premise workflows. Kitchens now cater to drive-thru, walk-in, mobile, and delivery orders simultaneously, , which means they often need-<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dedicated pickup shelves or cubbies<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Separate staff roles for digital order assembly<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration of third-party delivery platforms into <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/restaurant-pos-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">POS systems<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes make fast food operations more complex but also contribute to higher average checks and customer frequency over time.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>C. In-Store Ordering<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though drive-thru and digital channels dominate sales, in-store ordering still plays a meaningful role in fast food, especially in dense urban areas and walk-up locations. Many popular quick-service brands accommodate counter, kiosk, or table ordering for customers who choose to dine in or pick up on site.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even as off-premise channels expand, in-store ordering supports brand visibility, upsell opportunities through menu displays and staff suggestions, and complements digital loyalty engagements. It\u2019s also a key touchpoint for younger or experience-oriented diners who value customization and brand interaction.<\/span><\/p><h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taken together, the data show how the fast-food category in the U.S. has reached its current scale through a combination of high location density, franchise-led expansion, strong consumer demand, and ordering channels built for speed and volume.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The data across consumption patterns, spending behavior, and channel usage explain why fast food continues to support such a large footprint.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Understanding these patterns is essential for fast-food restaurant owners to evaluate where the market is still expanding, where growth opportunities lie, and how fast-food restaurants continue to fit into everyday eating habits across the country.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e6631e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e6631e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfb9ceb elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"cfb9ceb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2170\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2170\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1. How many fast food restaurants are there in America? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2170\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-596e0b7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"596e0b7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15fafbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15fafbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are about 210,000+ fast food restaurant locations in the U.S., including major chains and independents operating in limited-service or quick-service formats across locations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2171\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2171\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 2. What are the statistics of fast food? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2171\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85973e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85973e0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45c8033 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45c8033\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food restaurants account for roughly one-third of all U.S. restaurants and generate over $400 billion in annual sales. Around 70-75% of sales at many chains flow through drive-thru, and most Americans eat fast food at least weekly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2172\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2172\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\">  3. How big is the fast food industry in America? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2172\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25da323 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25da323\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-264d154 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"264d154\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The U.S. fast food industry is valued at over $189 billion in 2024, making it the largest quick-service restaurant sector globally.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2173\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2173\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 4. Do 80% of Americans think fast food is a luxury? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2173\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98738e7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"98738e7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f31b753 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f31b753\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nearly 80% of Americans surveyed said fast food now feels like a luxury purchase because of higher prices, according to a poll covered by Vice, reflecting how affordability perceptions have shifted.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast food is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. restaurant industry for simple reasons \u2013 it is easily accessible, predictable, and convenient. In most U.S. cities and suburbs, you\u2019re rarely more than a few minutes from a quick-service counter, a drive-thru, or a delivery-ready kitchen. That level of accessibility tells you how dense [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":18852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18851"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18886,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18851\/revisions\/18886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}