11 Key Stats: Quick Service Restaurants Compared

3. Global fast food industry for comparison — $1.1 trillion

On the global stage, the fast food industry reached about $1.1 trillion with roughly 4.1% annualized growth (IBISWorld, 2025). Comparing this to the U.S. QSR market highlights how much of the industry’s value and innovation activity centers in North America. The global growth rate is more modest, reflecting diverse regional conditions and slower digital rollouts in some markets. For multinational brands, global scale can smooth regional volatility but also demands tailored menus and operations. For U.S.-focused operators, the larger global figure offers perspective: domestic activity represents a significant slice of worldwide fast-food commerce and tends to lead trends that travel abroad. Investors should remember that global figures aggregate very different operating environments; regulatory and supply-chain risks vary widely by country and affect profitability. Source: IBISWorld (2025).