Fast food has been around since the dawn of the Industrial Age in the early 19th century when people had to work 12 and 14-hour shifts every day. There was hardly any time left in the day to prepare a meal that would satisfy the hunger pangs of a full working day. As the name suggests, “fast food” can be classified as quick meals that can be obtained outside the home. Historically, fast food was created to cater to the people who lived in the suburbs, when America’s love affair with automobiles began. Fast food reflected every possible pillar of Americanization including efficiency and high speed. Fast forward to 2022, fast food is a global phenomenon, with fast food chains reaching all corners of the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a considerable decline in visits to fast food chains. In a report published by TOP agency, there was a 26% decline in visits to fast food chains in the United States in 2020. To tackle the obstacles of the pandemic, fast food chains have had to amp up their drive-thru and takeaway services to maintain customer loyalty. While many restaurants faced closures, others adapted and invested in alternative channels, strengthening their platforms for online ordering for greater efficiency, keeping in mind health and safety. As 2022 dawns, restaurants are becoming increasingly innovative. However, as vaccination numbers increased in the United States, fast food chains are back, with a 33% increase in the number of visits nationwide in 2021.
Insider Monkey discusses the 21 biggest fast-food chains in the world in 2022. During the pandemic, CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. Hardee’s was able to gain some momentum, with 2020 figures looking incredibly promising. In 2020, 75% of Hardee’s business was conducted through off-channels and by the end of the year, this figure grew to 90%. Hardee’s currently has 4000 restaurants and aims to increase that number to 6000 in 2021. The company is also dedicated to creating reliable online ordering platforms that will play a significant role in improving customer experience. Founded by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins, Baskin Robbins has 7,900 restaurants internationally and 2,500 in the United States. As of 2021, the company has a total of 80,000 employees. The restaurant has a total of 1300 ice cream flavours introduced in over 50 countries worldwide. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. owns and operates restaurants including Panda Express and Subway. Panda Express prepares American Chinese food, its signature dish being the Orange Chicken. The chain has over 4000 employees with over 2000 locations, mainly in North America and Asia. Some primary locations include the United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. This year Panda Express also opened its second restaurant in the Philippines. Jack in the Box is an American fast food chain which has 2200 locations primarily on the West Coast. The chain is known for its diverse assortment of food choices including tacos, breakfast, brunch, teriyaki bowls, chicken nuggets, burgers, shakes, fries, and much more. The chain has been in business for 70 years and offers experienced multi-unit operators of casual dining brands profitable franchise opportunities for growth through acquisition and development. For more details, click the 21 Biggest Fast-Food Chains In The World.
