While the restaurant industry is projected to grow just over 4% in 2025, a select group of quick-service chains is crushing that benchmark. These 25 brands are expanding at breakneck speed, opening hundreds of locations, and reshaping the competitive landscape through smart strategies, loyal customers, and aggressive franchise calculator development.
Here's the data-driven breakdown of which QSR chains are actually winning the growth game right now.
The Methodology
This ranking is based on 2024-2025 unit growth rates, new location openings, and franchise development pipeline data from industry sources including QSR Magazine, Entrepreneur, Technomic, and company disclosures. Chains are ranked by percentage unit growth and total new openings projected through 2026.
The Top 25 Fastest-Growing QSR Chains
1. Dave's Hot Chicken
Growth Rate: ~30% annual unit growth
Current Locations: 260
2025 New Openings: 80 planned
The Nashville hot chicken concept has exploded from East Hollywood roots to $406 million in sales. With 1,000 locations in the development pipeline, Dave's is proving that Americans have an insatiable appetite for heat.
2. Burritobar
Growth Rate: Massive expansion underway
Current Locations: ~650 planned (93 new U.S. deals signed)
Target Markets: New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Florida
Canada's fastest-growing Mexican franchise is aggressively pushing into the U.S. market, riding the fast-casual boom with bold flavors and customizable bowls.
3. Bonchon
Growth Rate: 3x growth target over 5 years
Current Locations: 150 (U.S., as of Q1 2025)
5-Year Goal: 500 U.S., 1,000 globally
Korean fried chicken has gone mainstream, and Bonchon is leading the charge. Since debuting in New York in 2006, the chain has built a cult following for its crispy, double-fried chicken.
4. Slim Chickens
Growth Rate: ~25% in 2024
Current Locations: 300+
2025 Projection: 600 locations
New Deals: 150 franchise agreements, 50+ openings planned
With 14 signature sauces and a southern-inspired menu, Slim Chickens is rapidly expanding across the U.S. and internationally.
5. Raising Cane's
Growth Rate: 20% YoY
Current Locations: 850+ (early 2025)
2024 Openings: 118 new restaurants
The chicken finger specialist opened more than one restaurant every three days in 2024. Its simple menu, Cane's Sauce, and strong workplace culture are fueling relentless expansion.
6. CAVA
Growth Rate: 35% revenue growth
Current Locations: ~370
2025 Plan: 62-66 new restaurants
2032 Goal: 1,000 locations
Fresh off a $318 million IPO, CAVA is bringing Mediterranean fast-casual to new markets like Miami, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Same-store sales jumped 13.4% in 2024, and its "Connected Kitchens" AI system is improving speed and accuracy.
7. Wingstop
Growth Rate: 200+ global openings planned
Current Locations: 2,560+ worldwide
International Expansion: France and beyond
The wing chain continues its global domination, with aggressive international development complementing domestic growth.
8. Jersey Mike's Subs
Growth Rate: 45% over 3 years
Current Locations: ~2,900
Valuation: $8 billion (Blackstone acquisition)
Jersey Mike's explosive suburban growth earned it the #2 spot on Entrepreneur's 2025 QSR list. Fresh ingredients and the signature "Mike's Way" keep customers coming back.
9. Port of Subs
Growth Rate: 300+ new locations planned
Current Locations: ~200
5-Year Goal: 500+ restaurants
Key Markets: California, Minnesota, Arizona (50-unit deal), Eastern Washington/North Idaho
The 1970s sandwich chain is stepping into the spotlight with massive franchise development in the West.
10. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Growth Rate: Strong franchise momentum
Current Locations: 1,500 (2024)
2024 New Deals: 247 franchise agreements
Franchisee Retention: 70%+ of new stores from existing owners
Health-focused consumers are driving growth at this smoothie and food concept, which benefits from high multi-unit franchisee satisfaction.
11. Scooter's Coffee
Growth Rate: ~15%
Current Locations: 800+
2025 Goal: 1,000+ by December
2024 Openings: 120 new stores
The drive-thru coffee model is working. Scooter's landed on Yelp's top 10 fastest-growing brands list for 2025.
12. Chipotle
Growth Rate: ~10% annual
Current Locations: 3,400+
2025 Plan: 315-345 new locations
Sales Growth: 13% in late 2024
The fast-casual giant isn't slowing down. New menu items like Honey Chicken and expanded drive-thru "Chipotlanes" are keeping growth steady.
13. Shake Shack
Growth Rate: 16 straight quarters of sales growth
Current Locations: ~500
2025 Plan: 80 new U.S. restaurants
Long-Term Goal: 1,500 locations
New Location AUVs: $4 million+
Premium burgers still have room to run. Shake Shack's strong unit economics are fueling confident expansion.
14. Sweetgreen
Growth Rate: From 250 to 921 locations
Current Locations: 921 (across 24 states, March 2025)
2025 Plan: 40 new openings
Innovation: ~50% with automated "Infinite Kitchen"
The salad chain is scaling through automation and new menu items like Ripple Fries. A revamped SG Rewards program is driving repeat visits.
15. Culver's
Growth Rate: Steady, quality-focused
Current Locations: 997 (early 2025)
2025 Plan: 55 new restaurants
Milestone: Approaching 1,000 locations
The Wisconsin ButterBurger chain is nearing a major milestone while maintaining its reputation for quality and Midwestern hospitality.
16. Dunn Brothers Coffee
Growth Rate: 5x expansion plan
Current Locations: 50
5-Year Plan: 250+ stores across multiple states
Target Markets: Texas and beyond
This Minnesota-based roaster is breaking out of the Midwest with an ambitious multi-state expansion.
17. Qdoba
Growth Rate: Accelerating
Current Locations: ~800
2023 Openings: 14
2024 Openings: 50
2025 Plan: 70
2033 Goal: 1,500 locations
Sales Growth: 6.1% (2023), 7.7% (2024)
After years of retrenchment, Qdoba is back on offense. High-traffic locations and multi-unit franchisees are driving a turnaround.
18. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Growth Rate: Solid global expansion
Current Locations: 3,900+ globally
2024 Openings: 126 new stores
Sales Lift: 4.2%
Innovation: "Easy to Run" operations initiative
The fried chicken chain continues expanding into airports, campuses, and international markets.
19. Whataburger
Growth Rate: 80 new locations planned
Current Locations: 1,000+
Target Markets: Georgia, Alabama
Strategy: Expanding beyond Texas
The Texas icon is going national, bringing made-to-order burgers to new Southern markets.
20. Bojangles
Growth Rate: Western expansion
Current Locations: 800+
Markets: 17 states
New Territory: California, Nevada (first Las Vegas opening)
The Southern chicken and biscuit chain is crossing into the West for the first time.
21. Marco's Pizza
Growth Rate: Strong franchise momentum
Current Locations: 1,200+
2024 Activity: 70 new stores, 86 franchise deals
International: 50 planned Mexico City locations
Recognition: Entrepreneur 2025 Franchise 500 Top 50
Fresh Italian-style pizza is winning. Multi-unit owners and non-traditional venues (airports) are fueling growth.
22. MOD Pizza
Growth Rate: Refranchising strategy underway
Current Locations: 485+ (across 28 states)
Owner: Elite Restaurant Group (2024 acquisition)
Strategy: New markets, flexible formats
After acquisition, MOD is pursuing aggressive refranchising and store format innovation.
23. Chick-fil-A
Growth Rate: Industry leader
Current Locations: ~3,000+
2024 Revenue: $12.5 billion
Net Income: $2.1 billion
The chicken sandwich king continues steady expansion while maintaining industry-leading unit volumes.
24. Starbucks (included for comparison tool)
Growth Rate: Moderate
Current Locations: 16,000+ U.S.
Strategy: International expansion, format innovation
While not a traditional QSR, Starbucks' footprint expansion continues globally.
25. Five Guys
Growth Rate: Selective, quality-focused
Current Locations: 1,700+
Strategy: Controlled franchise growth
The premium burger chain maintains disciplined expansion, prioritizing quality over speed.
What's Driving QSR Growth in 2026?
The Categories Winning Big
According to Placer.ai data, three categories dominated foot traffic growth in 2025:
- Coffee chains - Drive-thru convenience meets daily habit
- Chicken concepts - Protein-forward menus and flavor innovation
- Mexican-inspired chains - Customization and bold flavors
The Strategies That Work
- Franchising at scale - The top growers are franchise-driven, with multi-unit operators leading expansion
- Off-premise optimization - Drive-thru, delivery, and pickup capabilities are table stakes
- Technology integration - AI ordering, automated kitchens, and app-based loyalty programs
- Non-traditional venues - Airports, universities, and travel centers offer new growth vectors
- International expansion - Mature domestic chains are finding growth overseas
The Numbers Don't Lie
The U.S. restaurant industry is projected to grow from $905 billion (2023) to $1.77 trillion by 2030. QSR brands are capturing an outsized share of that growth through speed, value, and convenience.
While legacy giants like McDonald's and Burger King continue to dominate by sheer size, these 25 fast-growing chains are reshaping the competitive landscape one new location at a time.
The QSR industry isn't just growing. It's being rebuilt by chains that understand what today's consumers want: speed, quality, flavor, and experience. The brands on this list are the ones making it happen.
David Park
QSR Pro staff writer covering competitive dynamics, market trends, and emerging QSR concepts. Tracks chain performance and strategic shifts across the industry.
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