Regional Burger Chains Surpass Major Fast Food Brands in Sales Growth
Recent data reveals that regional burger chains are significantly outpacing some of America’s largest fast food brands in terms of sales growth. A study conducted by Technomic, a food service research firm based in Chicago, shows that since 2019, chains like Culver’s, In-N-Out Burger, and Whataburger have seen impressive growth compared to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King.
The analysis tracked U.S. sales growth from 2019 to the projected figures for 2025, highlighting the remarkable performance of these regional players. Culver’s, primarily in the Midwest, saw its sales soar by 143%, reaching $4.36 billion. In-N-Out Burger in the West increased by 91.7%, totaling $2.58 billion, while Whataburger, located mainly in the South and Southwest, grew by 68.6%, to $4.31 billion. In contrast, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King reported sales increases of 36.2%, 16.5%, and 8.5%, respectively.
These findings suggest that while national chains remain dominant in overall sales, regional burger brands are rapidly expanding and cultivating dedicated customer bases. David Henkes, a senior principal at Technomic, noted that the gap in growth rates between regional and national chains has widened considerably over the past six years. He mentioned that, looking ahead to 2026, forecasts indicate that these regional brands will continue to outperform the bigger players in terms of sales growth percentage.
Interestingly, this growth trend isn’t universally applicable. Henkes pointed out that not all regional chains are thriving; for example, Steak & Shake has seen a significant decline of 32.8% in sales since 2019. Similarly, Checkers and Smashburger reported decreases of 21.8% and 30.8%, respectively. This highlights that geographical presence alone doesn’t guarantee success.
Industry experts like Ravi Sawhney, a design expert from California, emphasize that regional chains are often intertwined with community identity, which fosters emotional loyalty beyond just food quality. He also remarked that if food quality were the sole determinant, consumers would always choose the objectively best options—which we know isn’t the case. What seems to resonate more, perhaps, is the perception of these brands as more authentic and relatable.
As Henkes suggested, the success of these regional brands can be attributed to strong average unit volumes, deliberate growth strategies, and unique brand experiences. Consequently, the lesson for national chains might not lie in mimicking regional menus, but rather in fostering genuine connections with their customers.
Looking into the future, Technomic’s projections forecast a continued upward trend for strong regional burger brands, reinforcing their potential to outpace major players like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King in the same categories.
