10 Biggest Restaurant Companies

The largest restaurant companies in the world are primarily chain operations with a major international presence. Many have positioned themselves to weather economic cycles by maintaining consistent, profitable growth over the long term and some are holding companies that control a variety of subsidiary chains.

These are the 10 biggest restaurant companies by revenue as of Dec. 22, 2022. This list is limited to companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. or Canada, either directly or through ADRs. Some foreign companies may report semiannually, and so may have longer lag times.

#1 Starbucks Corp. (SBUX)

• Revenue: $32.3 billion
• Net Income: $3.3 billion
• Market Cap: $113.3 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -8.5%
• Exchange: NASDAQ

Starbucks is the world's dominant coffee shop-themed chain with nearly 35,000 stores globally. It has both company-owned and licensed stores globally and sells specialty beverages such as coffees and teas along with fresh food items. Starbucks also sells branded items outside of its stores, such as roasted whole bean and ground coffees, including Seattle's Best Coffee; Starbucks and Teavana-branded single-serve products; and ready-to-drink beverages such as Frappuccino.

#2 Compass Group PLC (CMPGY)

• Revenue: $31.9 billion
• Net Income: $1.4 billion
• Market Cap: $40.7 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 9.8%
• Exchange: OTC Markets

Compass Group PLC provides clients with a wide range of innovative dining solutions across five sectors including business and industry, education, and senior living. Compass operates in 40 countries with 55,000 client locations.  

#3 McDonald's Corp. (MCD)

• Revenue: $23.3 billion
• Net Income: $5.9 billion
• Market Cap: $196.4 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 3.7%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food restaurant chain and one of the best-known brand names. The company has more than 38,000 locations in about 100 countries. A pioneer in the fast food industry, the company has maintained consistent, moderate growth through affordable prices, speedy service, and constantly expanding and refreshing its menu offerings.

#4 Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI)

• Revenue: $10 billion
• Net Income: $908.9 million
• Market Cap: $17 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: .48%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Darden Restaurants owns and operates a line of casual and fine dining restaurant chains including brands such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Yard House. The company was spun off from General Mills Inc. (GIS) in 1995.

#5 Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC)

• Revenue: $9.8 billion
• Net Income: $864 million
• Market Cap: $23.4 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 16.6%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

A spin-off of Yum! Brands in 2016, Yum China Holdings is a Fortune 500 company incorporated in the United States but headquartered in Shanghai. It operates thousands of restaurant locations across mainland China. Yum China also operates all-Chinese versions of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC, as well as local chains.

#6 Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG)

• Revenue: $8.4 billion
• Net Income: $808.9 million
• Market Cap: $39.5 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -17.3%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a successful chain selling simple, fast-casual Mexican food, specializing in burritos, tacos, bowls, and similar dishes. The company operated 3,100 domestic locations in 2022 with additional locations in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and Germany.

#7 Yum Brands Inc (YUM)

• Revenue: $6.7 billion
• Net Income: $1.3 billion
• Market Cap: $36.3 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -1.6%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Yum! Brands is the largest quick-service restaurant company in the world, with more than 53,000 restaurants in 155 countries. The company is known for its franchise chains KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and WingStreet. The majority of the company's locations are franchised by 1,500 partners. Yum! Brands was first established as a spin-off of PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) in 1997.

#8 Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (QSR)

• Revenue: $6.4 billion
• Net Income: $958 million
• Market Cap: $20.2 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 17.3%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Restaurant Brands International is among the largest global quick-service restaurant chains in the world. It was established by the merger of Burger King and Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons in 2014, then valued at $12.5 billion. It purchased Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in 2017. Restaurant Brands operates more than 29,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories.

#9 Domino's Pizza, Inc. (DPZ)

• Revenue: $4.5 billion
• Net Income: $449.6 million
• Market Cap: $12.7 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -31.6%
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange

Domino's Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with more than 19,000 stores in 90 countries. Domino's offers a wide range of pizza products, such as traditional hand-tossed pizza, Brooklyn-style pizza, and pizza with crunchy, thick crusts. More than 98% of Domino's stores in the U.S. are franchise-owned.

#10 Bloomin' Brands, Inc. (BLMN)

• Revenue: $4.4 billion
• Net Income: 104.6 million
• Market Cap: $1.8 billion
• 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 4.1%
• Exchange: NASDAQ

Bloomin' Brands is a restaurant holding company that owns chains including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Bloomin' Brands has nearly 1,500 restaurants worldwide.