11 Key Stats: Quick Service Restaurants Compared

11. Menu composition: meat-led share and fast-growing segments

Meat-based concepts led revenue with around 38.24% share in 2024, while specialty segments such as ice cream were among the faster growers with a projected 12.73% CAGR through 2030 (Mordor Intelligence, 2025). In parallel, menu diversification — including plant-based alternatives and regionally inspired items — is estimated to add roughly 1.2 percentage points to industry CAGR as operators broaden appeal. These shifts reflect both consumer taste changes and menu experimentation by chains and independents. Coastal and urban demographics show higher plant-based adoption, which suggests regional menu tailoring can help capture demand. For managers, that means testing limited-time offers, seasonal items, and dessert innovations as low-risk ways to discover new high-margin winners. Source: Mordor Intelligence (2025).