Top 500 U.S. Chain Sales Rebound $4 Billion

CHICAGOImprovements in the U.S. economy translated into improved performance for the 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains that recorded an estimated $234 billion in sales last year, up more than $4 billion over 2009, according to the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report (2011).

In total, the top 10 fastest-growing chains sales accounted for $7.8 billion, an 18 percent increase over 2009.

Growth came from the limited-service Pizza, Donut and Coffee & Other Beverage categories with Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Hut posting 2010 estimated sales growth of 8.7, 6.1 and 7.8 percent, respectively. McDonalds, the largest U.S. restaurant chain, grew 4.4 percent with sales of $32.4 billion. Subway continued to dominate the growing Other Sandwich segment with 6 percent sales growth and total sales of $10.6 billionconsiderably better than the 1.8 percent growth posted by the Other Sandwich chains collectively. Subway continues as the second-largest U.S. restaurant chain, followed by Starbucks, Burger King and Wendys Old Fashioned Hamburgers.

Limited-service chains grew at a rate of 2.5 percent. Asian, which grew at 9.3 percent, was another limited-service subsegment with sales growth well above their segment average. Panda Express grew 12.8 percent with sales of $1.4 billion.

Growth continued to be driven by fast-casual chains. The Mexican category was led once again by Chipotle Mexican Grill, posting U.S. systemwide sales growth of 20.7. Five Guys Burgers and Fries lead the Hamburger segment with estimated sales growth of 37.8 percent.

Within Top 500 full-service restaurants, the Steak category recovered from a 6.4-percent decline in 2009 to a sales gain of 2.2 percent in 2010.