Top Restaurant Chains by Market Capitalization (August 2025)
The biggest restaurant chains in the world have a significant impact on the society and economy of today. These companies are billion-dollar businesses that influence how people experience food all across the globe; therefore, they are more than just restaurants. Their extensive restaurant chains employ millions of people, bring in enormous sums of money, and have an impact on everything from consumer behavior and digital innovation to logistics and agriculture.
Franchise vs. Company-Owned Models
At the top of the list is McDonald's, the most valuable restaurant company in the world, with a market capitalization of about $217.09 billion. McDonald's operates over 43,000 restaurants worldwide, serving approximately 68 million customers every day, about 1% of the world's population. The company's growth relies heavily on its franchise model, with 93% of its restaurants operated by independent franchisees. This allows McDonald's to expand quickly while keeping operational costs lower.
In contrast, Chipotle Mexican Grill, valued at $58.67 billion, uses a very different approach. Chipotle owns 100% of its restaurants, giving it full control over operations, quality, and customer experience. While Chipotle's global footprint is much smaller, it still serves around 750,000 customers daily, with nearly half of its 2020 revenue coming from digital orders, a sign of its strong digital presence.
Yum! Brands, with a market value of $40.85 billion, owns popular chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger Grill. It operates nearly 61,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries, mostly through franchising. In fact, about 98% of its restaurants are run by franchisees. This allows Yum! Brands to reach millions of customers daily while keeping its overhead low.
Customer Reach and Market Footprint
Restaurant Brands International (RBI), based in Canada and valued at $31.37 billion, owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes. RBI also relies heavily on franchising, with over 95% of Burger King locations owned and operated by independent franchisees. With more than 32,000 restaurants worldwide, RBI serves millions of people every day.
Darden Restaurants, the company behind Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, follows a mostly company-owned model. As of mid-2024, it operated 2,031 company-owned and 146 franchised restaurants, about 93% under its direct control. With over 300 million meals served annually, Darden holds a strong domestic presence, primarily in the United States and Canada.
Yum China, a separate company from Yum! Brands, focuses on the Chinese market and runs more than 14,000 restaurants in 1,900 cities. Though it started with mostly company-owned locations, Yum China is increasing its use of franchising, with 25% of new stores in early 2025 opened by franchisees. The company serves over 2 billion customers annually, reflecting China's massive demand.
Domino's Pizza, valued at $16.13 billion, operates in over 90 countries, with 99% of its stores franchised. The brand serves over 1 million customers daily and is known for its strong focus on digital sales and delivery services.
Texas Roadhouse, valued at $12.43 billion, is known for its dine-in experience, serving around 300,000 meals daily and 5,000 guests per week per restaurant. Most of its locations are company-owned, which helps maintain a consistent dining experience.
CAVA Group, a fast-casual Mediterranean chain, owns all of its 382 locations. It saw a 28.2% revenue increase and opened 15 new restaurants in early 2025. CAVA focuses on guest experience, with 10.8% growth in same-store sales, much of it driven by increased customer traffic.
Wingstop, with a market cap of $10.28 billion, has over 40 million digital customers and saw 21 years of consecutive same-store sales growth. About 98% of its restaurants are franchised, and 65% of its sales are digital. The company added 129 new locations globally in the second quarter of 2025 alone.
There are several similarities among these massive restaurants. They influence global eating habits, stimulate economic activity, and quickly adjust to technological advancements. Their strategies have an international impact on jobs, supply chains, and customer experiences, whether through direct ownership or franchising. Their impact on economies, civilizations, and modern lifestyles around the world goes well beyond food.
