Research
Here are the top restaurant chains in Australia in 2026
Here are the top restaurant chains in Australia in 2026
Subway leads with 1,255 outlets as of 26 March 2026.
Fast-food property investment hits $51.3m as yields firm
Yields firmed to 4.63% from 4.76%, CBRE data showed.
Rising costs, labour shortages pressure Australia’s QSR sector
Increasing commercial rents is also a key challenge.
Tourism fuels growth in Australia’s food service market
Foodservice is expected to be valued at $198b by 2034.
Tech and taste fuel Australia’s fast-food growth story
The sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.45% between 2026 and 2034.
Fast food market set to reach US$868b by 2030
Rising urbanisation and consumer demand drive global sector growth
Melbourne becomes hottest spots for fast-food restaurants
Australia continues attract global QSR players.
QSR network growth hits decade high in 2025
Australia’s top 5 QSRs are within 3 km of 82% of Australians.
Is the food delivery market hitting reset?
Deliveroo and Menulog exits signal food delivery consolidation.
Are we entering a new era of fast-food chicken war?
Australians consumed one kilogram of chicken per week in 2025.
Global players bet big on Australia’s fast-food outlook
Growth in discretionary spending and menu trends is drawing the brands in.
QSRs take over Aussie dining with value menus and digital orders
Rising costs drive diners toward more affordable meals.
Rising costs keep restaurant menus expensive into 2026
Menu inflation is expected to settle near the historical 2%–3% range.
Foodservice traffic inches up as deals and QSR drive growth
Lunch drove gains, reversing three quarters of falling traffic and spending.
Restaurants and cafes saw record high closures in 2025
The industry is facing several intense pressures, such as rising costs.
Australian QSR market to hit $37b as menus pivot
Brands are focusing on emphasising their healthy options and digital services.
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.
