The Top 20 Quick Service Restaurants + How to Open One

What is a quick-service restaurant?

A quick-service restaurant is exactly what it sounds like: a restaurant aiming to provide food and service quickly and efficiently. Quick service restaurant, also known as QSR, is the restaurant industry term for this specific segment of restaurants. 

A quick-service restaurant could be a fast-food restaurant chain or a just fast-casual restaurant – there’s significant overlap in the definitions, though some say that fast-casual belongs in a different category (and not within the quick-service restaurant definition), with slightly slower service than a traditional quick-service restaurant. Typically, quick-service restaurants offer food at a lower price point, with little or no table service, and a casual atmosphere.

Top 20 quick-service restaurants 

Here are the top 20 quick-service restaurants in the United States, according to QSR Magazine’s Top 2022 QSR 50 here:

1. McDonald’s 

2. Starbucks 

3. Chick-fil-A

4. Taco Bell 

5. Wendy’s 

6. Dunkin’ Donuts

7. Burger King

8. Subway 

9. Domino’s

10. Chipotle

11. Sonic

12. Panera 

13. Pizza Hut 

14. KFC

15. Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken 

16. Dairy Queen

17. Arby’s  

18. Panda Express 

19. Little Ceasars 

20. Jack in the Box

How to open a quick-service restaurant

While all of the top 20 QSR restaurants are massive fast food chains, not every quick-service restaurant has to be — and in reality, most are not. You don’t need a drive-thru, greasy fried chicken, and a broken ice cream machine to be a successful QSR restaurant in 2023. We recently analyzed how quick service restaurants are performing in 2024 in this year's Q2 Restaurant Trends Report. In most cities Toast explored, ticket sizes increased, meaning that restaurants were charging more, consumers were ordering higher-ticket items, more items, or a combination of the three. 

If you’re looking to open up your own quick-service restaurant, here is what you need to know. 

1. Create a business plan

The first step to starting any business is creating a business plan and the fast food industry is no different. A restaurant business plan is a blueprint for your entire project and it explains in detail how you will finance, operate, market, staff, and run your business once you’re open. Understanding your own business model will make the rest of the opening process simpler.

Here, you’ll talk about your company overview (what kind of quick-service restaurant are you? What might your menu items be?), your operations (who are your suppliers? What is your staffing and specific service model? Are you part of a franchisor or independent?), your technology (will you use kiosks or are you fully counter service? What quick service restaurant POS system are you going to use?) and even more detail that will help you get everything going (what differentiates you from your competitors? What quick service restaurant trends are you capitalizing on?). 

Get started on your quick-service restaurant business plan here. And be sure to check all the boxes on our opening a restaurant checklist.

2. Secure Financing

The initial investment of starting a restaurant can be really expensive, even if you’re just looking at franchise fees, and most people don’t have that money sitting in the bank. Fortunately, restaurant financing is available, and there are numerous options to consider. 

Check out here and here for some places to start.

3. Obtain Licenses and Permits and Set Up Business Structure

You’ll need several different licenses and permits to open and operate your QSR, so consult with your local and state guidelines for what a business has to do to get off the ground on the right foot. You’ll also want to work with an accountant or lawyer to help you set up your tax paperwork (like a DBA and an EIN) and to make sure your licenses and permits are in order.

4. Find Your Location & Purchase Equipment

Finding a great location can be difficult, and it’s often worth enlisting the help of a commercial real estate agent. If you have a lot of connections within the industry in your town, keep your ear to the ground and see if any recently closed restaurants need someone to take over their spot.

Once you have your location secured, finding equipment — new or used — to fill it up and get it ready for service is your next step.

Once you have your location secured, finding equipment — new or used — to fill it up and get it ready for service is your next step.

5. Create Your Menu!

Put together your menu, taking into account food cost, the supply chains involved, the labor required to make everything every shift, and what kind of food you’re trying to highlight at your restaurant. Of course, keep in mind that many quick-service restaurants operate on a build-your-own model, so consider whether or not your restaurant will too.

6. Hire Your Staff 

A great staff is the backbone of a successful restaurant. 

The restaurant industry is in a tough spot right now, facing a tight labor market and low employment relative to the number of jobs available. The key to success here is providing a restaurant workplace that provides great pay, solid benefits, a standout culture, and opportunities for growth and development. 

Check out this complete guide to restaurant staffing for more information on hiring for quick service restaurant jobs, managing your staff, and retaining those star employees.

7. Create a marketing plan

Set up your grand opening for success and get customers in the door with great marketing. The best place to start is by creating your restaurant marketing plan - where you can set goals, learn best practices and tips, and plan out your marketing calendar and budget for that critical first year.

Don’t forget about social media too – check out Toast’s new Restaurant Social Media Guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of social media marketing for restaurants, from managing your restaurant’s brand on four popular social media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok – to growing and developing new content strategies.

8. Open your doors

Get your restaurant off to a great start with a grand opening. Here are some ideas to get you started, and generate early sales. 

The quick-service restaurant industry is massive with tons of growth opportunities, and with this information in your back pocket, you’ll be set up for success. For more information on opening a new restaurant, check out this article on What You Need to Open a Restaurant. 

Related Restaurant Opening Resources

• Types of Restaurants

• Types of Bars

• Types of Food Trucks

• Types of Cafes

• Types of Bakeries

• Types of Breweries

• Top 20 Quick Service Restaurants in Canada

• Top 20 Quick Service Restaurants in the UK

• Top 20 Quick Service Restaurants in Ireland