Financing

The largest burger chains in the U.S. in 2021

These are the largest quick-service and fast-casual burger chains last year, according to the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.
Top 500 burger chains
Photo courtesy of McDonald's

Burger chains remained popular among consumers last year. Here's a look at the chains that had the most sales in 2021, according to the Techomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. 

2022 RankChain Name2021 US Sales ($000,000)2021 US Units
1McDonald's$45,96113,438
5Wendy's$11,1115,938
7Burger King$10,0337,105
11Sonic Drive-In$5,8353,552
22Jack in the Box$4,1552,218
27Whataburger$3,090873
30Culver's$2,489836
41Five Guys$2,0931,390
42Hardee's$2,074*1,712
43In-N-Out Burger$1,651*373
44Carl's Jr.$1,530*1,054
60Steak 'n Shake$830*497
65Shake Shack$766243
66Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers$759420
74Checkers$636*580
75White Castle$626353
80The Habit Burger Grill$577307
86Jack's Family Restaurants$520*210
122Rally's$319*315
127Krystal Company$307*290
149A&W All American Food$252525
150Smashburger$248245
157Farmer Boys$23199
187Wayback Burgers$185*147
203BurgerFi$166118
206Cook-Out Restaurant$160*308
Source: Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report; *Technomic estimate

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

The ongoing dangers of third-party delivery

The Bottom Line: The parent company of Tender Greens, which filed for bankruptcy this week, is laying part of the blame on its heavier reliance on delivery orders.

Technology

As restaurant tech consolidates, an ode to the point solution

Tech Check: All-in-one may be all the rage, but there’s value in being a one-trick pony.

Financing

Steak and Ale comes back from the dead, 16 years later

The Bottom Line: Paul Mangiamele has vowed to bring the venerable casual-dining chain back for more than a decade. He finally fulfilled that promise. Here’s a look inside.

Trending

More from our partners