Top 5 Restaurants

This month, we take a look at the top companies for both retail and foodservice and how they shaped the industry during the past year.

McDonald’s

It would be impossible to talk about restaurants that will make an impact in 2024 without covering the leader in fast-food, McDonald’s. The Golden arches have been a dominant force in the restaurant industry and look to extend their lead in 2024. They have wasted little time in opening a new restaurant, CosMc’s, that will serve specialty beverages and should bolster afternoon sales that typically slack.

 Starbucks

The renowned coffee giant is looking to put a lawsuit filled year behind them and return to making headlines for their coffee. The company faced multiple legal challenges last year over union violations, deceptive marketing, and ethical sourcing concerns. Despite all of this, Starbucks enters the year poised for expansion with a legion of loyal customers behind them. The release of a limited-edition Stanley Cup and the ability for customers to bring in personal cups has already created a positive buzz for the year.

Inspire Brands

The company behind famous brands Arby’s, Dunkin, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, and several others has its sights set on adding even more in 2024. The chain recently restructured their leadership team to better manage the massive portfolio of restaurants under their banner. This new leadership kicked off 2024 by announcing that Jimmy John’s will be expanding internationally to Canada and Latin America.

Yum! Brands

The owner of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut could be in for a good 2024. The company’s acquisition of The Habit Burger Grill was ill-timed, and the company struggled to get a good return. After reinvesting in the company last year, Yum expects the burger brand to grow. KFC will continue their menu overhaul and Taco Bell will continue to be the fastest drive-thru in the U.S.

Chick-fil-A

Eat more chicken is their slogan and by all accounts customers can’t get enough of it. The company experimented with some limited time items last year, yet unlike competitors, the chain has very little variation in their menu and remains committed to staying closed on Sunday. Their commitment to maximizing their chicken has led to some of the longest drive-thru times in the U.S. The chain will look to make changes this year to speed up restaurant operations without losing quality.

To learn more about these companies, get essential targeting data, and contact information for their decision makers, connect with us at Chain Store Guide to get your free 7-day trial of our revenue building industry databases.