U.S. Fast Food and Quick Services Restaurants Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Pizzas), Competitive Landscape, and Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The U.S. fast food and quick service restaurants market size was valued at USD 180 billion in 2016. The market is driven by the explosion of new concepts and menus, especially within the limited-service segment. Some new concepts are being inspired by international cuisines, such as Korean barbecue and other street items, while others are looking to re-introduce some old favorites like hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches by giving them the gourmet treatment. Food trucks are also driving growth within the quick-service category, allowing restaurateurs to set up shop without the expense of operating a permanent place of business.

In addition, consumers are increasingly seeking fast, inexpensive breakfasts from quick-service restaurants. With lunch and dinner sales lagging for years, fast-food chains are focused on winning over breakfast fans. Taco Bell, McDonald's, Jack in the Box, Hardee's, and Carl's Jr. are among the chains that have launched marketing campaigns and menu items centered on the first meal of the day. McDonald’s nationwide expansion of its all-day breakfast menu has helped the company return to growth after an extended period of declining sales. 

However, like most other service outlets, these restaurants are highly vulnerable to reports of contamination that might result in sickness, injuries, or other adverse health effects. Contaminants such as E. coli, salmonella, and hepatitis can seriously affect the health of consumers, leading to loss of business due to restaurant closures and bad publicity. Most restaurant chains go to great lengths to ensure their employees and suppliers follow safe food handling regulations.

Moreover, the quick service restaurants segment, like the rest of the restaurant industry, is highly competitive with respect to prices and menu selections. Consumers have a growing number of options to get quality food served quickly at reasonable prices, which places great demands on fast-food operators to offer the highest levels of service and food quality. Limited-service eateries compete with other restaurants in the area, as well as a growing number of grocery stores and convenience stores offering daily foods and other prepared options.

Product Type Insights

Hamburgers segment dominated the industry owing to factors such as availability of higher product variants and consumer preference. Whereas, sandwiches segment is expected to exhibit the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. 

Hamburgers are the most popular items in the U.S. The consumers have a special interest in the back-story of the burger. Hence, using this as their strategy, the mid-range hamburger joints are able to sell their products at a much higher price than other joints. In addition, some of the restaurants and fast food joints benefit by using exotic and premium ingredients to attract the customers focus and achieve increased sales. Moreover, hamburger restaurants focus on the demands and changing tastes of the customers and classic organic ingredients in order to gain more business and successful product penetration in the U.S.

The sandwiches and sub restaurants in the U.S. have experienced accelerated growth rates over the past few years. These restaurants are adopting strategies such as the introduction of new menu options, healthier low fat sub and sandwich variants, and low price products in order to attract consumers and keep their appetites satisfied. The dine-in restaurants contribute to the maximum market share of the sandwich segment in the U.S.

In addition, other items such as Italian include items such as pasta, lasagna, and other Italian appetizers, desserts have been observed to take over the menu options in the U.S. Asian food items such as Chinese, and Japanese cuisines have successfully made place in the U.S. palates. Hence, factors such as the easy availability of these products and changing consumer preferences are expected to drive the growth of this segment.

Regional Insights

The U.S. fast food industry is growing owing to factors such as rise in the fast casual dining restaurants, introduction of new products in the menu, and value meal deals by the fast food and quick-service restaurants. Chains such as Chipotle and Panera Bread heavily promote their use of organic ingredients and healthy cooking techniques in order to set themselves apart from other fast-food concepts. Hence, driving the growth of quick-service restaurants in the country. However, some of the factors pertaining the U.S. market such as increasing labor costs, changing consumer tastes, higher costs of ingredients, and difficulties in maintaining franchise relations are challenging the growth of the overall market.

U.S. Fast Food and Quick Services Restaurants Market Share Insights

Some of the key players in the sector are Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation, Domino’s Pizza, Inc., Pizza Hut, Inc., Taco Bell and McDonalds Corporation, which are expected to hold a significant share of the market over the forecast period.

Key players adopt strategies such as new product developments, franchising, value meal offerings, enhanced delivery options and enter into partnerships with apparel brands for merchandise and other branding strategies to strengthen their position in the market

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis on the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. fast food and quick services restaurants market:

• Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)

  • Hamburgers

  • Sandwiches

  • Pizzas

  • Mexican

  • Others