Fast Food Meals Eaten Worldwide
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Annual Meals
Daily Meals
U.S. Daily
Understanding Fast Food Meals Eaten Worldwide
This counter tracks fast food meals consumed globally. With 350 million meals served daily, fast food represents one of the largest and most influential sectors of the food industry.
The global fast food industry generates over $900 billion in annual revenue, with major chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, Subway, and KFC operating hundreds of thousands of locations worldwide.
In the United States, approximately 37% of adults (84 million people) eat fast food on any given day, spending an average of $12.50 per visit.
Fast Food's Global Footprint
- McDonald's operates over 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, serving approximately 69 million customers daily.
- Drive-through sales have grown to represent 70% of fast food revenue in the U.S., a trend accelerated by the pandemic.
- Health concerns have driven menu innovation, with most major chains now offering salads, grilled options, and calorie-conscious selections.
- Food delivery apps have transformed the industry, with delivery now accounting for 25% of fast food sales in urban markets.
Top Fast Food Chains by Locations
- Subway: 37,000+ locations
- McDonald's: 40,000+ locations
- Starbucks: 38,000+ locations
- KFC: 27,000+ locations
- Burger King: 18,000+ locations
Industry Revenue by Region
- North America: $340 billion
- Asia-Pacific: $260 billion
- Europe: $180 billion
- Rest of World: $120 billion
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Meal consumption data is compiled from CDC health surveys and IMARC industry reports.
The per-second rate is calculated by dividing 127.75 billion annual meals by 31,536,000 seconds per year.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout Fast Food Meals Eaten Worldwide
Approximately 350 million fast food meals are consumed globally every day, or about 4,051 meals every second. This includes all major fast food chains and quick-service restaurants.
Approximately 37% of American adults (84 million people) eat fast food on any given day. The average American visits a fast food restaurant 3-4 times per week, spending $12.50 per visit.
By number of locations, Subway has the most restaurants globally with over 37,000 locations. By revenue, McDonald's is the largest fast food company, generating over $45 billion annually.