Fast Food Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Fast Food Market Size to Reach USD 1077.37 Bn by 2034

The global fast food market size was USD 725.90billion in 2023, calculated at USD 752.76 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 1077.37 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2024 to 2034. The North America fast food  market size reached USD 196 billion in 2023.

Key Takeaways 

• North America dominated in the Fast Food Market with the largest market share of 28% in 2023.
• Asia-Pacific is observed to be the fastest growing in the Fast Food Market during the forecast period.
• By Product, the burgers/sandwich segment has contributed more than 43% of revenue share in 2023.
• By Product, the motion preservation technologies segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate in the market over the forecast period
• By End User, the quick service restaurants segment has held a major revenue share of 45% in 2023.
• By End User, the quick service restaurants segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period.

U.S. Fast Food Market Size and Growth 2024 To 2034

The U.S. fast food market size was valued at US$ 142.55 billion in 2024 and it is predicted to reach US$ 215.99 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 3.85% from 2024 to 2034. 

North America dominated the fast food market in 2021 with revenue share of 28%. The growth of North America fast food market is attributed to the growing consumer expenditure on fast food. In addition, the shift in consumer taste and preference is driving the demand for fast food in regional market. The introduction of new flavors is also driving the growth and expansion of fast food market in North America region.

Asia-Pacific is expected to develop at the fastest rate during the forecast period. India, China, and Japan dominate the fast food market in Europe region. The factors are growing population, rising disposable income and changing consumer preferences. Furthermore, the fast food produced with natural ingredients is boosting the growth and development of Asia-Pacific fast food market.

Fast Food Market Growth Factors

One of the significant factors driving the growth of global fast food market is the growing number of working women globally. The female employment rate in the U.S. in 2019 was 46%, as per the U.S. Department of Labor. Consequently, women’s employment rates in South Africa and China were around 45% and 43.7% respectively. In addition, the growing number of hotels and restaurants is also driving the expansion of global fast food market.

The fast food market is continuously developing due to rising demand for on the go snacks, convenience foods, and ready meals. The busy lifestyle of millennials and the worldwide rise of working people had an impact on the fast food consumption. This will almost certainly help the fast food industry expand globally. The consumer spending on food eaten away from home has increased over the last few years. The increase in employment rates around the world adds to this. Thus, it is now easier to consume on the go cuisine.

Another factor contributing towards the growth of global fast food market is rapid industrialization and urbanization. In addition, rising disposable income is also driving the global fast food market. The growing demand for ready to eat food and beverages is boosting the demand for fast food in the global market. Moreover, the expansion of food and beverage industry is supporting the expansion of worldwide fast food market over the projected period.

The other factors driving the expansion and development of global fast food market is the growing adoption of online sales channel as a distribution channel. The restaurants and hotels are selling their food products through e-commerce platforms, which is contributing towards the growth and development of global fast food market over the forecast period.

The fast food market’s major players have well developed global distribution networks. To meet evolving consumer tastes, companies in the global fast food market are updating their menus and services. Furthermore, an increase in the number of quick service restaurants in the fast food market is assisting businesses in increasing sales. To broaden their presence globally, the market players are actively investing in media and collaborations with content providers. In addition, the corporation has introduced an application that allows employees to select their preferred career paths. All such strategies are driving the growth of global fast food market.

Market Scope 

Product Insights

The burgers/sandwich segment accounted revenue share of around 43% in 2021. The demand for burgers/sandwich is growing at rapid pace in the global market. The consumers consume about 50 billion burgers each year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The demand for convenience food is driving demand for burgers/sandwich. In addition, the growing trend of ready to eat food products is also propelling the expansion of segment.

The Asian/Latin American segment is projected to reach at the fastest rate over the forecast period. The expansion of this segment is fueled by rising demand for wide range of food products. The demand for Mexican food is increasing in the U.S., due to an increase in the Hispanic population. According to the Simmons National Consumer Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau, about 110 million Americans ate tortillas in 2017.

End User Insights

The quick service restaurants segment accounted largest revenue share 45% in 2021. The quick service restaurants serve cuisine that requires little preparation time and is served quickly. The quick service restaurants often offer a restricted menu of fast food items that can be prepared in a shorter amount of time with the least amount of diversity. Many fast food businesses have implemented hospitality point of sale systems to allow for speedy service while also ensuring security and reliability. This allows kitchen staff members to see real time orders placed at the front counter or through the drive through. The wireless technologies enable cashiers and cooks to take orders given at drive through speakers. Thus, technological advancements are driving the growth of the quick service restaurants segment.

The fast casual restaurants segment is expected to witness strong growth from 2023 to 20302. The fast casual restaurants provide customers with freshly cooked, high-quality meals in a relaxed setting with counter service to keep things moving quickly. The fast casual restaurant, which is mostly located in the U.S. and Canada, does not provide full table service but promotes high quality meals with less processed or frozen ingredients than fast food restaurants. It’s a hybrid of fast food and informal dining. 

Key Developments

• Papa John’s International and franchisee operator Sun Holdings in the U.S. announced a domestic franchisee growth agreement in September 2021. Sun Holdings will open 100 new stores across Texas by 2029, as per the conditions of the contract.
• Domino’s Pizza will produce ‘The Unthinkable Pizza’, India’s first plant protein-based product, in December 2020. The Unthinkable Pizza is a vegan pizza produced entirely of plant-based proteins with chicken like sensory qualities.
• Jack in the Box plans to build 98 more outlets in the U.S. by March 2022. In addition to the 2,208 existing Jack in the Box stores, the new sites represent the brand’s highest level of expansion ever. Aside from that, Jack in the Box is set to acquire Del Taco, a prominent Tex-Mex fast food brand, which will add 600 more stores to the mix.
• McDonald’s Corporation stated in March 2019 that it has reached an agreement to purchase Dynamic Yield, a leader in customization and decision logic technology with offices in Tel Aviv and New York. By buying Dynamic Yield, McDonald’s adds to its significant technology investments for growth.

Fast Food Market Companies

• Auntie Anne’s Franchisor SPV LLC
• Domino’s Pizza Inc.
• CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.
• Firehouse Restaurant Group Inc.
• Jack in the Box Inc.
• McDonald’s
• Restaurant Brands International Inc.
• Yum Brands Inc.
• Inspire Brands Inc.
• Doctor’s Associates Inc.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

• Pizza/Pasta
• Burgers/Sandwich
• Chicken
• Asian/Latin American
• Seafood
• Others

By End User

• Quick Service Restaurants
• Fast Casual Restaurants
• Caterings
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• GCC
• North Africa
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa