GITNUXREPORT 2025

Qsr Industry Statistics

QSR industry thrives with digital growth, health focus, and sustainability initiatives.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 72% of QSR customers order food via mobile apps or online platforms

Statistic 2

The average QSR customer visits a restaurant 2.4 times per week

Statistic 3

65% of QSR sales are generated through takeout or delivery services

Statistic 4

The top three factors influencing QSR customer satisfaction are food quality (85%), cleanliness (78%), and speed of service (74%)

Statistic 5

Over 60% of consumers prefer to order food via mobile apps rather than calling the restaurant

Statistic 6

70% of QSR consumers want healthier menu options

Statistic 7

The use of contactless payment methods in QSRs increased by 73% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 8

45% of consumers say they are likely to visit a QSR more often if they have access to free Wi-Fi

Statistic 9

63% of QSR consumers prefer to order via mobile apps over other channels

Statistic 10

39% of QSR customers are influenced by social media when choosing where to eat

Statistic 11

80% of QSRs highlight sustainability initiatives as part of their branding efforts

Statistic 12

Nearly 60% of QSR restaurants are implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions

Statistic 13

Digital loyalty programs have boosted customer retention rates in QSR by up to 20%

Statistic 14

65% of QSR visits are made using coupons or promotional offers accessed via mobile apps

Statistic 15

The penetration of plant-based meat in QSR menus increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 16

Nearly 70% of consumers check online reviews before visiting a QSR

Statistic 17

45% of QSR customers are driven by convenience and quick service when choosing a restaurant

Statistic 18

QSRs with a focus on sustainability see a 15% higher customer retention rate

Statistic 19

The use of nutritional information display in QSRs increased by 35% during 2020-2022 to comply with new regulations

Statistic 20

50% of millennials and Gen Z prefer eating at QSRs over casual dining restaurants

Statistic 21

The global demand for gluten-free and allergen-friendly menu options in QSRs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2027

Statistic 22

The global QSR industry revenue was valued at approximately $931 billion in 2022

Statistic 23

The global fast-food market is expected to reach $678 billion by 2025

Statistic 24

The average spend per visit at a QSR in the U.S. is around $8.54

Statistic 25

The number of QSR outlets in the United States reached over 200,000 in 2022

Statistic 26

The global QSR equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2027

Statistic 27

The global vegetarian and vegan fast-food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% through 2028

Statistic 28

The QSR industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 29

The global QSR digital ordering market is projected to reach $320 billion by 2026

Statistic 30

Franchise QSR brands account for over 70% of the total QSR market share in the U.S.

Statistic 31

The global online food delivery market was valued at $200 billion in 2021 and is projected to double by 2027

Statistic 32

The average order value in QSRs has increased by 12% over the last three years

Statistic 33

The largest QSR chains in the U.S. have an average of 2,500 locations, with some exceeding 5,000 outlets

Statistic 34

The average gross profit margin in the QSR industry is approximately 20-25%, depending on the chain and location

Statistic 35

Approximately 50% of QSR restaurants are now offering plant-based menu options

Statistic 36

The top three menu categories in QSRs are burgers, fried chicken, and pizza

Statistic 37

40% of QSR menus now feature gluten-free options to cater to dietary restrictions

Statistic 38

The average wait time for customers in a QSR is approximately 4 minutes

Statistic 39

55% of QSR chains plan to expand their delivery services in the next two years

Statistic 40

The average lifespan of a QSR outlet before closure or rebranding is approximately 7 years

Statistic 41

The average QSR restaurant has 15 employees, but this can vary significantly depending on size and location

Statistic 42

In North America, about 53% of QSR sales come from drive-thru orders

Statistic 43

The average food wastage in a QSR is estimated at 3-5% of total inventory, which companies are actively trying to reduce through better inventory management

Statistic 44

58% of QSR managers report staff turnover as a major challenge, affecting service quality and operational efficiency

Statistic 45

45% of QSRs are investing in energy-efficient kitchen appliances to reduce costs and environmental impact

Statistic 46

48% of QSR chains report increased sales due to digital mobile ordering platforms

Statistic 47

The number of self-service kiosks in QSRs has increased by over 400% since 2018

Statistic 48

Around 80% of QSR businesses adopted some form of digital marketing strategy by 2022

Statistic 49

30% of QSR brands use AI-driven analytics to optimize menu offerings and inventory

Statistic 50

68% of QSRs use technology to personalize offers and marketing messages to individual customers

Statistic 51

Robot automation is being adopted by 25% of QSR brands to speed up order processing and reduce labor costs

Statistic 52

The use of AI chatbots for customer service in QSRs increased by 60% during 2021-2023

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Key Highlights

The global QSR industry revenue was valued at approximately $931 billion in 2022
Approximately 72% of QSR customers order food via mobile apps or online platforms
The average QSR customer visits a restaurant 2.4 times per week
65% of QSR sales are generated through takeout or delivery services
The top three factors influencing QSR customer satisfaction are food quality (85%), cleanliness (78%), and speed of service (74%)
The global fast-food market is expected to reach $678 billion by 2025
The average spend per visit at a QSR in the U.S. is around $8.54
Approximately 50% of QSR restaurants are now offering plant-based menu options
The number of QSR outlets in the United States reached over 200,000 in 2022
48% of QSR chains report increased sales due to digital mobile ordering platforms
The global QSR equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2027
Over 60% of consumers prefer to order food via mobile apps rather than calling the restaurant
70% of QSR consumers want healthier menu options

The $931 billion global QSR industry is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, evolving consumer preferences, and sustainability initiatives, making it one of the most dynamic sectors in the foodservice world today.

Consumer Preferences and Behavior

Approximately 72% of QSR customers order food via mobile apps or online platforms
The average QSR customer visits a restaurant 2.4 times per week
65% of QSR sales are generated through takeout or delivery services
The top three factors influencing QSR customer satisfaction are food quality (85%), cleanliness (78%), and speed of service (74%)
Over 60% of consumers prefer to order food via mobile apps rather than calling the restaurant
70% of QSR consumers want healthier menu options
The use of contactless payment methods in QSRs increased by 73% during the COVID-19 pandemic
45% of consumers say they are likely to visit a QSR more often if they have access to free Wi-Fi
63% of QSR consumers prefer to order via mobile apps over other channels
39% of QSR customers are influenced by social media when choosing where to eat
80% of QSRs highlight sustainability initiatives as part of their branding efforts
Nearly 60% of QSR restaurants are implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions
Digital loyalty programs have boosted customer retention rates in QSR by up to 20%
65% of QSR visits are made using coupons or promotional offers accessed via mobile apps
The penetration of plant-based meat in QSR menus increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023
Nearly 70% of consumers check online reviews before visiting a QSR
45% of QSR customers are driven by convenience and quick service when choosing a restaurant
QSRs with a focus on sustainability see a 15% higher customer retention rate
The use of nutritional information display in QSRs increased by 35% during 2020-2022 to comply with new regulations
50% of millennials and Gen Z prefer eating at QSRs over casual dining restaurants
The global demand for gluten-free and allergen-friendly menu options in QSRs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2027

Consumer Preferences and Behavior Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of customers migrating to mobile orders and a growing appetite for healthier, sustainable, and digitally connected fast food experiences, the QSR industry is swiftly transforming from quick bites to tech-savvy, eco-conscious, and health-oriented dining hubs—where convenience, cleanliness, and digital engagement are now as essential as the food itself.

Market Size and Financial Performance

The global QSR industry revenue was valued at approximately $931 billion in 2022
The global fast-food market is expected to reach $678 billion by 2025
The average spend per visit at a QSR in the U.S. is around $8.54
The number of QSR outlets in the United States reached over 200,000 in 2022
The global QSR equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2027
The global vegetarian and vegan fast-food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% through 2028
The QSR industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2028
The global QSR digital ordering market is projected to reach $320 billion by 2026
Franchise QSR brands account for over 70% of the total QSR market share in the U.S.
The global online food delivery market was valued at $200 billion in 2021 and is projected to double by 2027
The average order value in QSRs has increased by 12% over the last three years
The largest QSR chains in the U.S. have an average of 2,500 locations, with some exceeding 5,000 outlets
The average gross profit margin in the QSR industry is approximately 20-25%, depending on the chain and location

Market Size and Financial Performance Interpretation

With a $931 billion revenue fueling over 200,000 U.S. outlets and a rapidly growing digital and plant-based market projected to reach hundreds of billions, the fast-food industry proves that when it comes to convenience and innovation, Americans will always be hungry—and willing to pay for it.

Menu Trends and Product Offerings

Approximately 50% of QSR restaurants are now offering plant-based menu options
The top three menu categories in QSRs are burgers, fried chicken, and pizza
40% of QSR menus now feature gluten-free options to cater to dietary restrictions

Menu Trends and Product Offerings Interpretation

With half of quick-service restaurants embracing plant-based options and gluten-free offerings now present in 40%, it's clear the QSR industry is slicing into new customer preferences—serving up both tradition and innovation on the same menu.

Operational Trends and Industry Developments

The average wait time for customers in a QSR is approximately 4 minutes
55% of QSR chains plan to expand their delivery services in the next two years
The average lifespan of a QSR outlet before closure or rebranding is approximately 7 years
The average QSR restaurant has 15 employees, but this can vary significantly depending on size and location
In North America, about 53% of QSR sales come from drive-thru orders
The average food wastage in a QSR is estimated at 3-5% of total inventory, which companies are actively trying to reduce through better inventory management
58% of QSR managers report staff turnover as a major challenge, affecting service quality and operational efficiency
45% of QSRs are investing in energy-efficient kitchen appliances to reduce costs and environmental impact

Operational Trends and Industry Developments Interpretation

In the bustling world of quick-service restaurants, a 4-minute wait remains the sweet spot for customer satisfaction, even as over half plan to expand delivery, knowing that with an average lifespan of just 7 years, agility and efficiency—from managing a 15-employee team to cutting food waste and embracing energy-saving tech—are vital to staying competitive in an industry where drive-thru volumes contribute over half of sales, yet high staff turnover continues to challenge operational excellence.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

48% of QSR chains report increased sales due to digital mobile ordering platforms
The number of self-service kiosks in QSRs has increased by over 400% since 2018
Around 80% of QSR businesses adopted some form of digital marketing strategy by 2022
30% of QSR brands use AI-driven analytics to optimize menu offerings and inventory
68% of QSRs use technology to personalize offers and marketing messages to individual customers
Robot automation is being adopted by 25% of QSR brands to speed up order processing and reduce labor costs
The use of AI chatbots for customer service in QSRs increased by 60% during 2021-2023

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As the fast-food industry accelerates into the digital age, with nearly half reporting surging sales through mobile orders, a 400% rise in kiosks, and widespread adoption of AI and automation, it's clear that technology isn't just supplementing service—it's reinventing the drive-thru experience from personalized offers to robotic order takers.