The 26 Casual Chains Earning the Most Money Per Restaurant

After a complicated and arduous 2020 for full-service chains, FSR took time to reassess the segment and determine how publicly traded chains stacked up in their 2021 recovery year. 

One of the most important measurements is average-unit volume (AUV), which shows how much chains are earning per store measured on a mature base. 

SEE THE FULL FSR 50 CHART, COMPLETE WITH SALES, AUV, UNIT COUNT

Publicly Traded Chains Ranked by U.S. Sales

Supplemental Data: Privately Held Power Players

The following list ranks the top 26 public restaurants in terms of AUV, based on 2021 figures. 

Methodology: ​​The sales and unit count data for the FSR 50 (found in the above linked chart) was collected and calculated using public filings with the Security and Exchange Commission. All brands were contacted to confirm numbers, although not all replied. The data reflects U.S. locations only and encompasses both corporate-owned and franchised units. All chain in this list are publicly held.

Average sales per unit (thousands): $14,800

Unit count: 14

Total change in units from 2020: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $195

Average sales per unit (thousands): $11,084

Unit count: 207

Total change in units from 2020: 2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,293

Average sales per unit (thousands): $6,612

Unit count: 29

Total change in units from 2020: 6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $172 million

Average sales per unit (thousands): $6,364

Unit count: 667

Total change in units from 2020: 33

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,439

Average sales per unit (thousands): $5,208

Unit count: 64

Total change in units from 2020: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $333

Average sales per unit (thousands): $5,148

Unit count: 212

Total change in units from 2020: 3

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,087

Average sales per unit (thousands): $5,056

Unit count: 212

Total change in units from 2020: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $273

Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,197

Unit count: 96

Total change in units from 2020: 4

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $397

Average sales per unit (thousands): $4,100

Unit count: 875

Total change in units from 2020: 7

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,593

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,822

Unit count: 694

Total change in units from 2020: –12

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,176

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,400

Unit count: 533

Total change in units from 2020: 11

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,810

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,371

Unit count: 124

Total change in units from 2020: –1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $418

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,300

Unit count: 664

Total change in units from 2020: 1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,227

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,283

Unit count: 219

Total change in units from 2020: –1

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $653

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,036

Unit count: 185

Total change in units from 2020: –2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $544

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,032

Unit count: 144

Total change in units from 2020: 4

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $437 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,803

Unit count: 1,578

Total change in units from 2020: –22

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,168

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,695

Unit count: 519

Total change in units from 2020: –15

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,399

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,516

Unit count: 121

Total change in units from 2020: –24

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $304

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,434

Unit count: 1,235

Total change in units from 2020: 2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,006

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,400

Unit count: 42

Total change in units from 2020: 3

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $89

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,138

Unit count: 32

Total change in units from 2020: 7

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $65

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,861

Unit count: 1,621

Total change in units from 2020: 5

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,017

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,786

Unit count: 435

Total change in units from 2020: 26

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $751

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,675

Unit count: 1,487

Total change in units from 2020: –17

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): 2,462

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,659

Unit count: 129

Total change in units from 2020: –6

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $214