How much do Americans love their fast food? This much: $254,541,589,000.
That’s the amount the NPD Group says we spend to buy food that’s quickly thrown together and put in a wrapper, then held in one hand and downed in record time with a soda chaser while driving our cars. In a land of 316 million people, $254 billion last year works out to $800 for every man, woman and child, or around $2.20 a day, enough to buy you only half a Big Mac. McDonald’s is by far the most successful fast food chain in the known universe. QSR magazine said Americans bought more than $35 billion worth of Mickey D’s in 2012, nearly three times more than second place finisher Subway, at $12 billion.
The Top Ten are as follows:
1. McDonalds
2. Subway
3. Starbucks
4. Wendy’s
5. Burger King
6. Taco Bell
7. Dunkin’ Donuts
8. Pizza Hut
9. Chick-fil-a
10. KFC
I was a little surprised to not see Chipotle in the top ten because it is so popular and people love it. The only reason I can think of, explaining why its not in the top ten, is that they are not in every single country, like McDonalds, and they are not cheap. I think the cost of their food hurts them a little. I think that’s the case for Chick-fil-a as well. Although they made the top ten, number nine, I think the cost of their food is the reason they are low on the top ten list, but just being in the top ten is really good! I don’t think the fast food industry will ever have to worry about disappearing. They have become a part of, almost, everyone’s lives!