2026 Top 500: The 50 biggest restaurant chains in America

In the 2026 Top 500 report by Technomic, the U.S. restaurant industry continues to face challenges, with sales growth slowing for a second consecutive year as consumers reduce their dining out spending. The report was analyzed by Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business and highlighted that foodservice inflation has outpaced sales growth for four years running. Despite these challenges, 33 of the 50 largest chains reported sales increases, with Dutch Bros leading the pack at an impressive 22.2% growth, buoyed by the popularity of drive-thru coffee options. Dutch Bros has also crossed the significant milestone of 1,000 locations, achieving a 15.7% increase in unit numbers.

The overall landscape for the industry remains varied, with several chains managing to expand despite the economic headwinds. Notably, 32 brands among the top 50 chains introduced net new units in 2025; Wingstop marked a substantial growth rate of 17.3%, closing the year with 2,586 units. Conversely, Hardee’s faced challenges with the largest unit decline among top performers, reporting a 5.5% drop, while Pizza Hut recorded the steepest sales decline at 8.2%.

As dining habits shift and economic pressures continue to affect consumer behavior, franchisees and operators need to closely monitor these trends. The mixed results suggest a segmentation in performance across different restaurant segments, indicating that those involved in coffee, snacks, and chicken may have a more favorable outlook compared to others facing significant sales declines. Moving forward, the franchise industry may need to adapt strategies based on emerging consumer preferences and economic signals, particularly how drive-thru and quick-service models evolve in the coming months.