Report: Growth in QSRs outpaced full-service restaurants in most U.S. counties
A significant driver of QSR growth was the emergence of the fast-casual restaurant.
Over the last decade and a half, the number of quick-service restaurants (QSRs) operating in the United States grew by nearly 20%—from roughly 285,000 establishments in 2000 to over 340,000 in 2015. And, changes in the U.S. foodservice industry found the number of QSRs grew even more during the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, according to an examination produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS), Washington, D.C.
In comparison, the number of full-service restaurants remained essentially unchanged during 2000-2015. These differing growth rates resulted in QSRs taking the majority spot. In fact, as of 2015, QSRs accounted for 54% of all restaurants nationwide. Fifteen years earlier, QSRs accounted for just under 50% of the nation’s restaurants.