Fast-food, quick-service chains power top 25 brands to $190.1b in 2026
Expansion and rising takeout, delivery, and quick-service demand drive sector growth.
The world’s top 25 restaurant brands are projected to grow 9% year-on-year, reaching a combined value of $190.1b in 2026, according to Brand Finance.
Growth in the sector is being driven by new store openings and sustained demand for takeout, delivery, and quick-service dining.
Fast-food and quick-service chains continue to dominate the list, with the top five largely unchanged.
McDonald’s remains the most valuable brand at $42.6b, up 5%, benefiting from its global presence and steady franchise revenue.
Brand Finance data, however, indicates rising concerns about affordability in markets such as the US and UK.
Starbucks holds on to second place, though its value fell 4% to $37b, as competition in China and other markets offsets gains from store performance.
KFC holds third, up 8% to $16.5b, boosted by expansion in China.
Subway moved up to fourth, with brand value rising 18% to $9.5b due to international growth and digital sales, despite a smaller US footprint.
In fifth place, Chick-fil-A recorded the fastest growth, up 44% to $8.1b, driven by strong domestic revenue and measured expansion.
Tim Hortons remains sixth at $7.5b, up 9%, largely due to its consistent Canadian customer base.
Domino’s Pizza ranks seventh, with a 6% increase to $7.1b, whilst ongoing consumer caution limited stronger growth.
Taco Bell fell three spots to eighth, with stagnant brand value at $6.9b as discounting curbed gains.
Wendy’s dropped to ninth, down 4% to $5b, affected by store closures aimed at efficiency.
Pizza Hut rounds out the top 10, up 4% to $4.9b, supported by digital sales and loyalty initiatives.
Chinese brands are also making an impact: Luckin Coffee (19th) rose 40% to $2.4b, and Mixue (12th) debuted at $4.6b, reflecting a focus on scale and affordability over premium positioning.
In terms of brand strength, Haidilao remains the strongest globally with a score of 89.5/100, though its rating declined slightly year-on-year.
Greggs ranks second strongest at 88.2, and McDonald’s is third at 88.1, both facing pressures from rising consumer price sensitivity.
