.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "The franchises — from McDonald’s to Chick-fil-A — which make the most in sales: ranked – UK Times")
McDonald’s may be known as the most successful restaurant chain in the world — but another popular fast food spot has claimed the title of most profitable restaurant franchise in the U.S., according to a report.
Topping the list of the most profitable restaurant franchises in the U.S. in 2026 was Chick-fil-A, according to the AI marketing platform Malou.
The chicken chain makes about $7.5 million in AUV, or the average yearly sales at one location in the franchise system. It has 3,109 locations across the U.S. Meanwhile, McDonald’s, which ranked 20 on the list, has an AUV of $3.97 million across its 13,559 locations throughout the country.
However, those figures alone cannot tell you if a business is profitable. Experts have to look at other metrics like rent costs and bills to determine a company’s true profit.
The company looked at several other factors before determining profitability, including revenue performance, margin profiles and growth potential. Chick-fil-A’s systemwide sales were only $22.7 billion, compared to McDonald’s, which was at $53.4 billion, according to Malou.
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“The most profitable franchises in the U.S. today aren’t just revenue machines,” Malou notes with its list, adding that things like unit economics, AI use, digital presence and cash flow velocity also have an impact on ranking.
The company looked at over 100 quick-service restaurant chains, fast casual restaurants, bakeries, coffee and pizza shops before selecting the 40 based on revenue performance, margin profiles and growth potential.
The chains were then ranked by AUV, systemwide sales, unit count and investment ROI, according to Malou.
Following behind Chick-fil-A in the number two spot was Raising Cane’s, which has an AUV of $6.56 million across 828 stores in the U.S. The chain, which is focused around premium chicken fingers, had systemwide sales of $4.96 billion.
Bojangles, a Cajun-seasoned fried chicken chain, came in third on the list with $3.24 million AUV and $1.88 billion systemwide sales across its 813 locations in the U.S.
The other restaurants included in the top 10 were Hawaiian Bros, Chipotle, Culver’s, Panera Bread, QDOBA, Cheba Hut and Firehouse Subs.
