America's Biggest Food Chains, Ranked By Revenue (PHOTOS)

QSR magazine, a trade publication for the fast food industry, has released this year's QSR 50 list of the biggest food chains in America, as ranked by revenues. The finding are not all that surprising. For all the bad press McDonald's gets -- about being one-upped by Subway, about being unhealthy, about being disliked by its customers -- it is still the titan of the food service industry. Happy Meal revenues alone are higher than total revenues at all but the 12-biggest food chains.

Below are the 10 biggest food chains in America, as ranked by revenue. Are they the places you eat regularly?

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10. Sonic

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America's Drive-In rounds out the top 10 with U.S. revenues of $3.6 billion.

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America's Drive-In rounds out the top 10 with U.S. revenues of $3.6 billion.

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I Never Go I'm Obsessed

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Comments

[BillySOS]

10:37 PM on 08/14/2011

I guess this is one of the reasons for obesity. They all sure taste better than vegetables.

[chaapai]

03:29 PM on 08/16/2011

A Big Mac, or brussel sprouts? Which tastes better?

I am just McRibbing you!

I honestly do see your point. Just teasing you. but the facts remain that children are, in large part, brought up on fast food and I am sure that alters our taste buds and brain chemistry to crave this stuff. It's terrible for us, but we still eat it.

I am 42. When I was a kid, fast food was a rare treat. I mean really rare. Now, my brother and his family eat it weekly. Unfortunately I do as well. But I dont have preteen kids. Maybe as food prices continue to rise and more families and communities begin to rely on gardens for local produce, things will change.

[Megan Robbins]

09:59 PM on 08/13/2011

I had a hankering for Taco Bell last night, which was strange because I would guess the last time I ate at a Taco Bell would be some where around 3-4 years ago. I had a nachos bel-grande. At midnight I was up pacing the floors trying to keep it down. I guess it'll be another 3-4 before I go back.

[emilyfew28]

12:38 PM on 08/12/2011

i love fast food . i have it at least once a week.i know it is not good for you.yummy!!!

[janroc67]

06:56 PM on 08/10/2011

Have these businesses thought about the workers? Most are under 21 so it will be real tempting for them to drink. I do not think it is a good idea. Families need some place to go where they do not have to deal with loud drunk people.

[Suthngal]

05:09 PM on 08/10/2011

Each of these places...I completely avoid!

[tepeko]

05:33 PM on 08/10/2011

Who are you, Yoda? How about this: "I completely avoid each of these places!"

[golfinkatiekat77]

04:52 PM on 08/10/2011

And most of these places, I wouldn't send my worst enemy to eat at!! On second thought,,,,perhaps I would!! Unhealthy garbage and I don't care WHAT they are trying to market. Subway has already been exposed for their nonsense and so was Taco Bell. Keep eating at these places and make sure your life insurance is paid up!

[Jaysen Silverman]

11:13 AM on 08/18/2011

You must be a republican. Believing all you read and not trying to get the facts. Your comment on Taco Bell underscores the fact that you need to do a lot more research before you spout your "nonsense". Labs proved that the ground beef at Taco Bell was in fact only ground beef and spices. Thanks for you input!

[winfox0916]

04:15 PM on 08/10/2011

fast food is nasty....a huge contributor to obesity

[WilmaJune]

05:23 PM on 08/10/2011

No reason to make obnoxious comments. My relatives were obese before these places existed. They worked hard at manual labor and square danced on Saturday night.

[chaapai]

03:33 PM on 08/16/2011

isnt that the truth. We have become a couch pilot society, where our relatives worked long hours at physical labor. The past, without processed foods and fast foods still saw obesity. But at this level. It does speak to a genetic component.
But I also remember that Japan was virtually obesity free until after World War II and it was introduced to a more western diet. So it seems obesity is a multifaceted disease.

Just as its nearly impossible to find foods in the grocery store that are really lower sodium or chemical and additive free… fast food lacks better alternatives. Until we as a people DEMAND such products, it will never change.

[MrCool]

04:13 PM on 08/10/2011

How can people afford to eat in these places?

[Lulo]

12:38 AM on 08/12/2011

Did you just ask that?

MacDonalds is the number #1 location for homeless people to get food. It is because it is so cheap that people eat this crap.

[chaapai]

03:38 PM on 08/16/2011

I understand your question. But, let me add: I am a personal chef. I work for private, wealthy clients. I am, on average at three to four grocery stores a day. From large markets of national chains to local independent places. For my clients, money is no option.

With my familiarity of the stores, I can see almost daily prices rising. The cost for healthy, natural meats and produce is out of the range for most Americans. Even more so in this economic environment. The poor can not afford the prices for organic products. They feed their families what they can afford. Fast food is a quick, cheap option. unfortunately it is also a terrible choice for the health of their families.

It's the same for the school districts that serve kids their meals. We had a champion for reform. Jamie Oliver. He was basically run out of town on a rail. Even tho he spoke the absolute truth.

WE WANT SAFER, HEALTHIER FOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN! OH! How much will it cost?! Never mind!

[Sharon Leonard]

04:07 PM on 08/10/2011

Subway...all the way....instead of the water lettuce on my sub...I have spinach as my lettuce...better for me! Try it on a turkey sub.... no mayo....extra vinegar..

[astro314]

04:04 PM on 08/10/2011

Subway and Wendy's are the best for your money.

[mrdpavo]

03:59 PM on 08/10/2011

"are they the places you eat regularly"?????

Definitely not. Fast food is a treat, not something you should ever eat at regularly. I've had McDonald's once so far this year and that's it for fast food. Home cooked meals are cheaper and healthier.

[rigormrtis]

06:51 PM on 08/10/2011

I have not eaten at McDonalds since 1990 when I was a junior in college. i think i have probably eaten at a burger king 5 times since then, also.

[sirius09 liddell]

03:24 PM on 08/10/2011

The only one I eat at is Subway. I seldom eat there. I will eat there if I do not have time to stop to purchase a healthier lunch or do not have time to prepare one before going to work. To me, the foods served in these fast food places are franken foods. I stopped eating McDonald's years ago. Even as a young woman, their burgers would give me a very severe case of indigestion. When I eat out, I choose to go to a regular restaurant that serves relatively healthy food. Star Buck's is mainly a beverage place although they served cookies and other snacks. My favorite coffee house is Caribou. I spend time there when I want to read, study, and/or concentrate. The sodium and/or fat content of foods served in some of these fast food places is outrageous. Regarding Michelle Obama, she does not tell people what to eat or not to eat. She merely makes suggestions. Of course, it is an individual's choice what he/she eats or feeds his/her children.

[GraphicMatt]

02:31 PM on 08/10/2011

Had no idea Sonic was that popular. I had it once.....late at night and drunk. It was still awful.

[Sharon Leonard]

04:07 PM on 08/10/2011

They are really bad now

[GraphicMatt]

04:12 PM on 08/10/2011

Just thinking about it has given me indigestion.

[chaapai]

03:41 PM on 08/16/2011

They used to be one of the best. They have been on a rapid decline. I had a burger their last week that was terrible. I asked to see the "burger sitter". "The burger what?" was the reply from the speaker.

"The guy you hired to sit on my burger before your put it in the sack!" I replied. Dead silence was my only answer.

No more sonic for me. But, in truth…. the others are not much better.

[tepeko]

05:35 PM on 08/10/2011

Maybe you need some fast food to make sense! Re-read your post and tell me what you meant!"

[thisaintnews]

01:26 PM on 08/10/2011

Little known fact, you can run your car on Starbuccccks.

[Judy Neff]

02:54 PM on 08/10/2011

It helps you stay awake!