The top Burger King Competitors are McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, KFC, Starbucks, Subway, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, Taco Bell and others. Burger King is an American based chain of quick-service restaurants that operates a sizeable number of restaurants all over the world. It was founded in 1958 in Florida as a specialty in serving burger as the main meal on their menu.
Burger King has continued to expand its menu and brand and a brand value of more than 7.13 billion dollars in 2022 highlights some of the company’s success. In the 2022 financial year, Burger King managed to generate about $1.9 billion.
Burger has over 18,700 locations worldwide as of 2022 serving in around 100 countries.
Since it was founded, it has continued to expand its outlets, especially in the international market. Nevertheless, almost all its foreign stores are franchised with only a few that are located in the US remain as company-owned.
Most of the local stores owned by Burger King have reduced, but their international expansion had immensely increased notably since 2010 when 3G Capital acquired it. Presently, we have several competitors in this industry. Some have been there before for the longest time while others are cropping out. Here are some of the top Burger King competitors;
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1) McDonald’s
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1940.
- Founders: Richard and Maurice McDonald.
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Chris Kempczinski.
- Revenue: $6.498B (June 30, 2023)
- Number of employees: 150,000 (2022)
- Market Share: 43.8%
- Market cap: $204.74B (September 04, 2023)
McDonald’s in an American owned chain of restaurants that specializes in serving a number of fast food including fries, beverages, fried chicken, soft drinks and breakfast menu among others. It is considered the largest chain of fast food restaurants in the entire world. This is informed by the fact that it has thousands of stores in different countries around the globe.
McDonald’s net income for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $2.310B. McDonald’s gross profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $3.731B. McDonald’s operating income for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $3.104B. McDonald’s also has more than 37,000 restaurants worldwide making it the largest fast-food chain in regards to a number of units globally.
McDonald’s has been in the industry for a considerable time hence making it well versed with all the intrigues and dynamics that revolve around this particular business. It offers stiff competition to most of the upcoming and some established fast food stores that have not been able to beat it. McDonald’s brand value continues to upsurge every financial year recording some significant profits and generating high revenues at the end of it all. McDonald’s is a direct competitor of Burger king and because of its massive presence is the number 1 amongst all Burger King Competitors.
2) Domino’s Pizza
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1960.
- Founders: Tom Monaghan and James Monaghan.
- Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Russell Weiner.
- Revenue: $1.025B (June 30, 2023)
- Market cap: $13.73B (September 05, 2023)
- Number of employees: 11,000 (2022)
Domino’s Pizza has in the recent past become one of the leading US-based chains of fast food outlets that specialize in serving takeaway and delivering pizza. It has uniquely established its market by making sure that the service all its customers receive is of the utmost quality. Domino’s Pizza has also opened more outlets in different countries across the world making it one of the favorite fast food service brands. It is spread across in more than 90 international markets.
Domino’s Pizza Inc net income for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $0.109B. Domino’s Pizza Inc gross profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $0.405B.
Some of the joints are company-owned while others operate as franchised units. Nevertheless, it still generates colossal amount every financial year. Domino’s is an indirect competitor of Burger King but it is larger then KFC because of the massive presence of Domino’s pizza which presents an easy alternative to consumers. Domino’s is also launching pizza burgers to compete in the burger market. As a result, Domino’s is number 2 amongst all Burger King Competitors.
3) KFC
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1952.
- Founder: Colonel Harland Sanders.
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Sabir Sami
- Parent: Yum! Brands
- Revenue: $2.83B (2022)
KFC, as it is popularly known across the world, is an acronym for Kentucky Fried Chicken. It is a US-based chain of fast food that has a specialty in serving fried chicken as it main dish along with other dishes such as sandwiches, beverages, and fries among others. KFC just like McDonald’s commands a huge liking in various parts of the world making it one of the competitors to beat in this particular industry.
KFC has its branches in about 150 countries and 22622 outlets. This makes KFC the 4th largest fast-food restaurant in the world.
It has widely opened more and more of its branches especially in the last decade and consequently employed more personnel to help in facilitating service delivery to the customers. It is often ranked at number two after McDonald’s in most of the aspects such as sales volume, revenue generation, and operating income. KFC is again a direct competitor of Burger King and is the third amongst all Burger King Competitors.
4) Starbucks
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1971.
- Founders: Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl.
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Howard Schultz
- Revenue: $9.168B (June 30, 2023)
- Number of employees: 402,000 (2022)
- Market Share: 37%
- Market cap: $112.25B (September 04, 2023)
Starbucks is considered as the leading chain of restaurants that serves coffee and operates a significant number of units in different countries around the world. It is a US-based enterprise that has dominated the coffee quick-service industry for quite a considerable duration. Starbucks has a total assets worth of about $28.733B, which clearly illustrates how big its muscles are in the industry.
Starbucks net income for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $1.142B. Starbucks gross profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $6.304B. The company is ranked 120th on the Fortune 500 and 303rd on the Forbes Global 2000 as of 2022.
Starbucks has continued to expand its stores even in some of the smallest towns in the world, a clear indication that it intends to dominate this markets for the longest time possible hence a worthy competitor to look into.
5) Subway
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1965.
- Founders: Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck.
- Headquarters: Milford, Connecticut, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: John Chidsey
- Number of employees: 410,000(2022)
Subway is also one of the leading chains of fast food restaurants that operate several outlets in many countries across the world. It was founded as a fast food joint for serving sandwiches, which it has continued to do over the years albeit with intense competition from other players. Subway designed its unique type of sandwich that made many people like it.
In 2021, Subway generated around $9.4 billion in sales in the US alone. Privately owned, Subway has close to 37,000 locations in over 100 countries as at 2023.
It has expanded its stores in the recent past and become one of the leading chains of restaurants with many units. Most of the foreign-based subway units operate as franchised units, but the company also owns quite a number of the units under its stable.
6) Pizza Hut
- Product Type: Pizza restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1958.
- Founders: Dan and Frank Carney.
- Headquarters: Plano, Texas, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: David Gibbs
- Revenue: $12.853 billion (2022)
- Number of employees: 350,000+
- Parent: Yum! Brands
Pizza Hut is an American-based fast food business that runs a number of units that are located in different parts of the US and foreign countries. Pizza is one of the most likable types of fast food that many people in various parts of the world enjoy eating. Pizza Hut, as a company has been in the business of offering quality services as far as pizza delivery and takeaway is concerned. Pizza Hut has grown and expanded to the over 19,034 stores worldwide as of 2022. In 2022, Pizza Hut also records an average US sales of $5,487.
It faces stiff competition from some of the top brands in this industry, but it has all along stayed steadfast to ensure that it matches the competition and still deliver quality service to the customers. Its customer base is consistently growing making it one of the top brands in this industry.
7) Dunkin Donuts
- Product Type: Pizza restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1950.
- Founder: William Rosenberg.
- Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: David Hoffmann
- Number of employees: 200,000
- Market capitalization: $8.77 Billion (August 2023)
Dunkin Donuts was initially intended to serve coffee and donuts as the main product on its menu. It has since grown to become one of the highly regarded quick-service brands in the world. It has been able to expand its operations in various countries in the world. Dunkin Donuts also serves other meals including a breakfast menu, soft drinks, ice and hot beverages among others.
With over 3,100 stores in over 30 countries outside of the US, Dunkin’ Donuts has been serving loyal customers around the world for over 60 years. There are 9,461 Dunkin Donuts locations in the United States as of July 25, 2023.
It has made it possible for it to generate a considerable amount of revenue in the past years. Many customers have also been flocking different joints under this company hence ultimately increasing its income and sales volume. It thus remains a strong competitor in this industry that can never be disregarded on any grounds.
8) Taco Bell
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1962.
- Founder: Glen Bell.
- Headquarters: Irvine, California, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Sean Tresvant
- Revenue: $14.653 billion (2022)
- Parent: Yum! Brands worldwide outside of China, Yum China within China
Taco Bell is a US-based chain of fast food restaurants that manage a significant number of outlets that specialize in serving Mexican food. Taco Bell has been in the industry barely for 30 years, but it has made a famous mark as one of the leading players around. It has most of its outlets in the US and Mexico owing to the fact that it serves Mexican dishes.
Mexican inspired quick service chain Taco Bell operated a total of 8,218 restaurants in 32 different countries worldwide in 2022.
It also has some stores in some of the European cities such as Munich, Paris, Madrid, and London among others where many people enjoy eating Mexican food. It is a strong competitor in this industry alluding to the fact that it continues to expand its units to different towns across the world.
9) Chipotle
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: 1993.
- Founder: Steve Ells.
- Headquarters: Newport Beach, California, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Brian Niccol
- Revenue: $0.342B (June 30, 2023)
- Market cap: $53.48B (September 04, 2023)
- Number of employees: 104,958(2022)
Chipotle is also a US-based chain of quick service restaurants popularly known for serving high-quality Mexican delicacies. It has become one of the favorite fast food outlets, especially in the US, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Spain among other countries. It has been in operation for about three decades, but the impact it has in the market is something that many stakeholders in the industry regard as amazing.
Chipotle had over 3,200 restaurants as of March 31, 2023, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. There are 3,236 Chipotle restaurants in the United States as of August 16, 2023.
As at 2023, Chipotle’s revenue was $0.342B while it had assets worth $7.552B with a net income of $0.342B in the same year.
Chipotle consistently serves first-class dishes to its ever-growing customer base. It is this consistency that has also contributed largely to its significant growth since they have never compromised the quality of their meals and the service that they offer to the customers.
10) Wendy’s
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: November 15, 1969.
- Founder: Dave Thomas.
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ohio, United States.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: Todd A. Penegor
- Revenue: $562 million (June 30, 2023)
- Number of employees: 14,500 (2022)
- Market Capitalization: $4.51B (August 2023)
- Parent: The Wendy’s Company
Wendy’s is an American based fast food restaurant chain that operates several joints in the US and other countries around the world. It first started as a small restaurant but arguably to become one of the fiercest competitors in the industry after only seven years. It is during this period after it was founded that it expanded vigorously and established 6,500 restaurants currently in the United States and 29 countries. Wendy’s own more than 100 quick service restaurants in Florida alone. The company was formed in 1969 by Dave Thomas.
Wendy’s revenue as at 2023 stood at about 562 million dollars with a net income of over 60 million dollars.
Wendy’s has since become a household name in this particular industry has expanded its operations to other countries in especially in Europe. It majors in serving burger, sandwiches, fries, fried chicken and beverages among others thus placing it in a better position as a strong competitor in the industry.
11) Tim Horton’s
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice.
- Founded date: May 17, 1964.
- Founders: Tim Horton and Ron Joyce.
- Headquarters: Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
- Area served: Worldwide.
- Current CEO: José Cil
- Revenue: 2.63 billion U.S. dollars (2022)
- Net sales: US$2 billion (Q2, 2023)
- Number of employees: over 100,000
- Parent: Wendy’s (1995–2006) and Restaurant Brands International (2014–present)
Tim Horton’s is notably the leading chain of quick service restaurants in Canada. It serves coffee and other forms of bakery goods and has established itself as a leading brand especially in Canada where it occupies more than 50% of the market share. This chain of restaurants has also expanded its operations and opened some outlets in different towns in the US.
Tim Horton’s is the largest fast-food restaurant chain in Canada with more than 5000 outlets worldwide as at 2023 in 50 countries. It serves donuts and coffee. Its revenue as of 2022 was 2.63 billion dollars. Tim Hortons is Canada’s fifth most valuable brand.
The expansion into foreign markets happening in the recent past is attributed to many factors including merging deals that it did with Burger and King. Tim Horton’s is a brand that any competitor in the market can only disregard at their own peril because it has illustrated its potency as a significant player.
12) Papa John’s Pizza
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: October 2, 1984
- Founder: John Schnatter
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Area served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Robert Lynch
- Revenue: $515 million (June 30, 2023)
- Number of employees: 12,000 (2022)
As earlier mentioned, pizza is arguably the most famous fast food in the world. Many small and big brands that serve pizza have to ensure that what they offer to the customers is nothing short of quality. This is something that Papa John’s Pizza, a US-based chain of fast food restaurants have managed to execute flawlessly.
As at 2023, its revenue is 515 billion dollars with over 12,000 employees working in the more than 5,706 branches that it operated. Papa John’s is the fourth largest pizza delivery restaurant chain in the United States.
It understands the need of the customers and precisely provides what they require. It is majorly involved in serving takeaway and delivers pizza to customers. However, an essential factor that has made it among the leading competitors in the industry is the fact that it has remained consistent in offering the quality service that customers prefer.
13) Sonic
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants.
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: 1953
- Founder: Troy Smith Sr.
- Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
- Area served: United States
- Current CEO: Cliff Hudson
Sonic Drive-In, also known as Sonic, is an American drive-in fast-food chain that was founded in 1953 by Troy N. Smith Sr. The chain is owned by Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. At a standard Sonic Drive-In, customers drive into a covered drive-in stall, order through an intercom speaker system, and have the food delivered by a carhop. Most drive-ins also have patio seating, and many have drive-through lanes. Sonic features fast service by roller-skating carhops and unique menu items that cannot be found at other fast-food chains like McDonald’s or Burger King. Sonic is one of the country’s biggest fast-food restaurants, serving 3 million customers every day, in 3,500 restaurants across 45 states.
Sonic is known for its unique menu items, fast service, and roller-skating carhops. The chain has also gone through various advertising campaigns, including the “Two Guys” campaign, which was later replaced by the “Everyday People” campaign. Sonic is constantly expanding and offers exciting opportunities and incentives for new store development from 2023 to 2025.
14) Hardee’s and Luby’s
- Hardee’s: Fast food restaurants
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: 1960
- Founder: Wilbur Hardee
- Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Area served: United States, Canada, and the Middle East
- Current CEO: Andrew Puzder
Hardee’s is a fast-food restaurant chain that was established in 1961 in North Carolina. The company has gone through several corporate ownerships since its establishment and is currently operated by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. with locations primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States. Hardee’s offers a menu that includes burgers, chicken sandwiches, sides, and breakfast items. The company has expanded globally and currently has eighteen locations in Pakistan. Hardee’s is known for its Thickburgers, which are made with 100% Angus beef, and its breakfast menu, which includes biscuits, burritos, and hash rounds.
- Luby’s: Casual dining restaurants
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: 1947
- Founder: Bob Luby
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas, United States
- Area served: Texas
- Current CEO: Christopher J. Pappas
Luby’s is a cafeteria-style restaurant chain that was established in 1947 in San Antonio, Texas. The company provides contract food-service management to 18 healthcare, higher education, and corporate dining locations. Luby’s is known for its “Lu Ann Platter,” a popular combination platter that includes a half portion main dish with vegetables. The company has been featured in popular culture, with the cafeteria being characterized as “Luly’s” on the animated Texas comedy/drama, King of the Hill. Luby’s has faced financial challenges in recent years and plans to complete the dissolution of the company by mid-2022. As of March 10, 2021, Luby’s owned 58 cafeterias and 23 Fuddruckers units.
15) Gourmet Burger Kitchen (UK & Ireland)
- Product Type: Fast casual restaurants
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: 2001
- Founders: Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, Brandon Allen, and Ugandan Kalimali Moses
- Headquarters: London, England
- Area served: United Kingdom and Ireland
- Current CEO: Peter Borg-Neal
Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is a chain of luxury restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland that specializes in gourmet burgers. The company was started in London by New Zealanders Adam Wills, Greg Driscoll, Brandon Allen, and Ugandan Kalimali Moses in 2001, with chef Peter Gordon overseeing the menu development. GBK is known for its “large” burgers, fresh produce, and casual service style.
GBK has a subtle Kiwi theme throughout the restaurants, a reference to the heritage of the original owners. The company has over 35 locations in the UK, Greece, Ireland, and the Middle East. GBK offers a wide range of burgers, including classic, cheese and bacon, and habanero burgers, as well as salads, sides, fries, and drinks. According to reviews on TripAdvisor, GBK is rated highly for its food and service.
16) Yum! Brands
- Product Type: Fast food restaurants
- Industry: Foodservice
- Founded date: 1997
- Founder: Andrall Pearson
- Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
- Area served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: David Gibbs
- Revenue: $1.687B (June 30, 2023)
- Market cap: $36.33B (September 05, 2023)
- Number of employees: 36,000 (2022)
Yum! Brands is a Fortune 500 company that owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill. With over 37,000 restaurants in over 110 countries, Yum! Brands dominates four sectors of the quick-service food industry. The company operates in three major segments: KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.
Yum! Brands is a unique Fortune 500 company that puts a stamp on day-to-day business. Yum! Brands is a global company that serves millions of consumers at 55,000 restaurants across 155 countries and territories.
Yum! Brands net income for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $0.418B. Yum! Brands gross profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 was $1.272B. Yum! Brands total assets for the quarter ending June 30, 2023 were $5.848B.
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