As you can see, restaurant chains are a major presence in the world. They are found in almost every country and employ millions of people. Restaurant chains also generate billions of dollars in revenue each year.
Restaurant chains employ millions of people around the world. This includes both full-time and part-time workers. The restaurant industry is a major source of employment, especially for young people and people with limited skills.
Here are the top 5 biggest restaurant chains in the world.
- McDonald’s Corporation
- Subway
- Starbucks Corporation
- KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
- Pizza Hut
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1. McDonald’s Corporation
- Founded: 1940 in San Bernardino, California, United States
- Number of locations: 39,198
McDonald’s is one of the largest and most iconic fast-food chains globally. Founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, USA, it originally operated as a small drive-in restaurant.
The brothers later franchised the business to Ray Kroc in 1955, who expanded it into a global fast-food empire. McDonald’s is renowned for its hamburgers, french fries, and signature Golden Arches, serving millions of customers every day across the globe.
McDonald’s menu has changed over the years, but its most popular items remain the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and the fries. The company has also expanded its offerings to include salads, wraps, and smoothies. McDonald’s is a popular destination for families and children, and it is also a major employer.
2. Subway
- Founded: 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
- Number of locations: 41,600
Subway is a popular American fast-food chain known for its customizable submarine sandwiches. It was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck, with its first restaurant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. Subway has since grown into a global franchise with thousands of locations in numerous countries.
Subway’s menu features a variety of submarine sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The company is known for its customizable sandwiches, which customers can build to their own specifications.
3. Starbucks Corporation
- Founded: 1971 in Seattle, Washington, United States
- Number of locations: 33,000
Starbucks is a well-known coffeehouse chain established in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, USA, by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. Initially, it operated as a single store selling high-quality coffee beans and equipment.
Howard Schultz joined the company in 1982 and transformed it into a chain of coffeehouses. Today, Starbucks is a global brand known for its specialty coffee beverages and a cozy café experience.
Starbucks is a popular destination for people who enjoy coffee and pastries. The company is also known for its commitment to social responsibility. Starbucks has been a vocal advocate for fair trade coffee, and it has also donated millions of dollars to charity.
4. KFC
- Founded: 1930 in North Corbin, Kentucky, USA
- Number of locations: 25,000
KFC, known for its finger-licking fried chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1930 in North Corbin, Kentucky, USA. He started selling his famous fried chicken in a gas station, and the business grew rapidly.
The company’s original concept was a roadside restaurant that served fried chicken. Now it became a global fast-food chain with numerous outlets worldwide, serving a variety of chicken-based dishes.
5. Pizza Hut
- Founded: 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, USA
- Number of locations: 18,431
Pizza Hut was established in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, USA, by brothers Dan and Frank Carney. It started as a small pizzeria with a distinctive red roof design. Pizza Hut rapidly expanded through franchising and became one of the world’s largest pizza restaurant chains.
Pizza Hut is a prominent pizza restaurant chain with a global presence. It offers a wide variety of pizzas, pasta dishes, and other side items, making it a favorite choice for pizza lovers worldwide.
See also: Top 5 popular roadside foods in India
Other largest restaurant chains in the world are:
- Burger King
- Domino’s Pizza
- Dunkin’
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
