The 10 Most Popular Fast Food Brands Around the World

Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl, it opened its first store in 1971 near the historic Pike Place Market in Seattle. All three founders came from academic backgrounds and shared a deep love for coffee and tea.

They invested their savings and borrowed money to open the first store in Seattle, naming it Starbucks after a character from Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick. By the early 1980s, Starbucks had expanded to four stores in Seattle, standing out with its high-quality, freshly roasted coffee compared to competitors.

Today, Starbucks has 17,243 stores across more than 60 countries worldwide. While it is best known for its coffee, the company also offers pastries and snacks for customers. Starbucks was founded by two teachers and a writer. In 1982, Howard Schultz joined the company as Director of Retail Operations and Marketing, later becoming CEO and propelling Starbucks to global success. He is regularly ranked among the world’s top CEOs by Forbes. Starbucks began selling food at its coffeehouses in 2003. In 2016, Schultz was succeeded by Kevin Johnson as CEO, and Myron Ullman became Chairman in 2018. The largest Starbucks store in the world, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, opened in Chicago in 2019.

Website: https://www.starbucks.vn/

Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, widely popular among young people and ranked as one of the top 500 successful companies in the world. In 1958, university students Frank and Dan Carney from Wichita started what they envisioned to be a small pizza restaurant at the corner of Bluff and Kellogg streets in Wichita.

With the help of family and friends, they created a business that quickly embraced the latest dining trends in America. The business boomed, and their first franchise restaurant was opened in Topeka. As Pizza Hut gained fame, the Carney brothers decided the business needed a mascot. The iconic Pizza Pete, wearing a neckerchief, apron, hat, and a plaid mustache, became the face of the brand. The cartoon character first appeared in advertisements, cups, bags, and on the exterior of restaurants and signs.

Today, Pete remains a beloved figure for Pizza Hut fans and is part of the brand's history, featured in museums where customers can snap a photo with the mustached mascot. Pizza Hut has grown to be the largest pizza chain in the world, with over 11,000 locations in 90 countries. Its main offerings include pizzas, alongside breadsticks, pasta, salads, and other snacks. Pizza Hut has been a well-loved brand in Vietnam for quite some time and enjoys great popularity with locals.

Website: https://pizzahut.vn/

Burger King Corporation is a fast-food restaurant chain known for flame-grilled burgers and quick-service meals. It is the second-largest hamburger chain in the U.S., following McDonald's. By the early 21st century, Burger King reported having around 14,000 locations in nearly 100 countries, with its headquarters in Miami, Florida.

Founded in 1953, Burger King now operates 12,512 restaurants in over 70 countries. Its signature product is the hamburger, making Burger King a household name, especially in the U.S. In Vietnam, Burger King has a presence in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Despite trailing McDonald's in terms of sales and profit, Burger King has undergone multiple ownership and management changes over the years. In 1967, it was sold to Pillsbury Company, and in the late 1970s, former McDonald's executive Donald N. Smith revitalized Burger King by expanding its menu and strengthening franchise control.

In 2010, Burger King was acquired by 3G Capital, an investment firm controlled by Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann. By 2012, the company went public again, although 3G retained control. In 2014, Burger King merged with Canadian doughnut chain Tim Hortons, forming a new parent company called Restaurant Brands International.

Website: https://burgerking.vn/

Domino's Pizza is headquartered in Charter Township, Michigan, and was founded in the 1960s. The company has expanded its operations to 70 countries worldwide, with over 10,000 stores. Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the U.S. after Pizza Hut.

Domino's has become a global leader in delivering convenient pizza to consumers. The company was built on simple concepts, offering only delivery or carryout services and a very limited menu: for over 30 years, the menu included just two pizza sizes, eleven topping choices, and only one soda option—cola.

In recent years, the company added salads, breadsticks, and other non-pizza items to its menu in an effort to compete with Pizza Hut and Little Caesars. However, it quickly returned its focus to its core business—providing fast, high-quality pizza. Domino's also dropped its famous 30-minute delivery guarantee after a jury awarded $78 million to a woman who was hit by a Domino's delivery driver in 1989.

Website: https://www.dominos.com.au/

Baskin Robbins was founded in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins. The company is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, USA, and operates 2,547 stores in the U.S. with an additional 4,254 stores abroad. Baskin Robbins also boasts 1,279 stores in emerging markets.

Today, Baskin Robbins has locations in over 50 countries, each offering the company’s signature 31 ice cream flavors, along with frozen yogurt, sherbet, cakes, and beverages. It is part of Dunkin' Brands Inc., which also franchises Dunkin' Donuts. Dunkin' Brands Inc. is owned by a private equity consortium: Bain Capital, The Carlyle Group, and Thomas H. Lee Partners.

Baskin Robbins is the only ice cream chain in the world with the unique concept of 31 flavors, offering a different flavor for each day of the month. Ahead of the Beatles' first U.S. tour, a Washington Post reporter asked Baskin Robbins what flavor they had created to honor The Beatles. Surprised by the question, Roberts quickly responded, “Of course, Beatle Nut.” This new flavor was created, produced, and delivered within five days. In 1980, the company introduced the Gold Medal Ribbon flavor in conjunction with the Winter Olympics in the U.S. Baskin Robbins still holds the Guinness World Record for the largest ice cream cone, created on September 13, 2005, to celebrate its 60th anniversary. This giant vanilla cone weighed 8,865 pounds!

Website: https://baskinrobbins.vn/vn/index/trang-chu/

Wendy's is the third-largest hamburger chain in the world, following McDonald's. Founded by Dave Thomas in 1969, the company is headquartered in Ohio, USA. With over 6,000 locations, most of its stores are in the U.S., with nearly 700 scattered across other countries.

The iconic Wendy's logo features a smiling, red-haired cartoon girl, modeled after Thomas' daughter, who also inspired the company's name. Signature offerings include square-shaped burgers, the Frosty dessert (available in chocolate and vanilla since 2006), and unique side items such as baked potatoes and chili.

Under Thomas' leadership, Wendy's grew rapidly, opening its 1,000th store within a decade of its founding. Growth continued even after Thomas stepped down from day-to-day operations in 1982, but the company faced challenges, including a failed breakfast initiative. However, Thomas became the face of Wendy's in a successful ad campaign that began in 1989. A series of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate changes ultimately led to the creation of The Wendy's Company in 2011, with the company's headquarters returning to Dublin, Ohio.

Website: https://www.wendys.com/

Popeyes is a fast-food brand with a rich history spanning nearly five decades, famous for its signature fried chicken with a distinct New Orleans flavor. Originating from New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1972, Popeyes quickly rose to become one of the leading fast-food chains in the United States and has since expanded its presence globally.

The crispy and flavorful chicken, fried to perfection and seasoned with unique spices, has become an iconic symbol of Popeyes. The brand's secret recipe, paired with distinctive spices, delivers a one-of-a-kind taste that is unmistakable. The menu offers a wide range of options, including sandwiches, combo meals, and sides, providing customers with an array of delightful choices.

More than just a fast-food brand, Popeyes embodies the culture of New Orleans, reflected in the decor of its restaurants and the experience of every meal served. With its international expansion, Popeyes continues to inspire and share the distinctive flavors of New Orleans with millions around the world, delivering a memorable dining experience that brings joy to families everywhere.

Website: https://www.popeyes.com/

Subway is a popular American fast-food brand with 43,945 sandwich shops across 110 countries, founded by Fred DeLuca in 1965. By 2002, it became the largest fast-food chain in the U.S. by store count. The company operates in over 100 countries, with its headquarters in Milford, Connecticut.

Unlike many fast-food chains, Subway's offerings are typically not fried and are made fresh with a variety of vegetables. This positioning allows Subway to market itself as a healthier fast-food option. The brand became well-known thanks to Jared Fogle, who claimed to have lost over 200 pounds (90kg) by eating Subway sandwiches during his college years at Indiana University.

Originally, Fred DeLuca's goal was simply to earn money to pay for his college tuition. Over the past 50 years, Subway has grown into the world’s most famous fast-food chain for sandwiches. One of Subway’s unique features is that customers can watch the entire sandwich-making process, which offers a sense of transparency and trust. Furthermore, Subway has become a pioneer in offering healthier fast food options, proudly introducing nutritious and balanced sandwiches that can serve as a quick and healthy lunch for busy individuals.

Website: https://www.subway.com/en-VN

While Subway leads in the number of locations, McDonald's has become globally renowned for its iconic hamburgers, boasting over 33,000 stores across 119 countries. McDonald's Corporation, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is one of the largest fast-food chains worldwide, famous for its burgers.

The success of McDonald's has sparked increasing criticism, particularly regarding its role in the global rise of obesity. In response, the company has incorporated healthier options into its menu, and in 2017, launched a plant-based hamburger called 'Megan,' available only in select markets.

Founded in 1940 by the McDonald brothers, the true success of McDonald's came when Ray Kroc acquired their business and transformed it into the world's leading fast-food chain. Originally a milkshake machine salesman, Kroc's talent and vision reshaped the fast-food industry in America. Despite scientific criticism of its nutritional value and health effects, McDonald's continues to be a convenient and iconic fast food choice. It is so influential that for every 15 young adults in the U.S., one works at McDonald's, which consumes 1% of the nation's beef. McDonald's products are now available in Ho Chi Minh City and are expected to expand to Hanoi soon.

Website: https://www.mcdonalds.vn/

KFC Corporation is the largest global operator, franchisor, and developer of fast-food chains. A subsidiary wholly owned by PepsiCo, Inc., KFC is renowned for its signature Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and operates 17,041 locations in 110 countries worldwide, with its headquarters in Louisville. In addition to fried chicken, KFC offers a variety of fast-food items such as hamburgers, salads, French fries, and more.

Having entered Vietnam early on, KFC quickly became a popular and affordable fast-food brand. The company was founded by Harland Sanders in Corbin, Kentucky. Born on a small farm in Henryville, Indiana, in 1890, Sanders developed the iconic KFC recipe. KFC became a fully owned subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. and, by the end of 1997, had expanded to over 5,000 locations in the U.S., with about 60% of these being franchises.

In addition to direct franchising and wholly owned operations, KFC is involved in joint ventures and continues to explore new locations to capture market share in the increasingly competitive fast-food industry. Despite its success, KFC faces the challenge of revamping its restaurant designs and competing against rivals like Boston Market, Burger King, and McDonald's.

Website: https://global.kfc.com/