Introduction
The fast-food industry is a highly competitive market, with many major national chains vying for customers. However, there are two major national fast-food chains that are still lagging in sales: McDonald’s and Burger King. Despite their long-standing presence in the industry, both chains have seen a decline in sales in recent years. In this article, we’ll take a look at why these two chains are struggling and what they can do to turn things around. We’ll also discuss some of the strategies that other fast-food chains have used to remain competitive and successful. Finally, we’ll provide some tips on how to make smart choices when eating at fast-food restaurants.
The Only Two Major National Fast-Food Chains That Are Still Lagging In Sales
It’s no secret that the fast-food industry is a competitive one. With so many different chains vying for customers, it can be hard to stand out. But while some chains have managed to stay ahead of the competition, there are still two major national fast-food chains that are lagging in sales.
The first of these two chains is Burger King. Despite its iconic Whopper sandwich, Burger King has struggled to keep up with its competitors in recent years. The chain has seen a decline in sales since 2015, and it has yet to find a way to turn things around. Burger King has tried to revamp its menu and introduce new items, but it hasn’t been enough to make a significant impact.
The second chain is Wendy’s. Like Burger King, Wendy’s has seen a decline in sales since 2015. The chain has tried to introduce new menu items and revamp its image, but it hasn’t been enough to make a significant impact. Wendy’s has also been hurt by the rise of fast-casual restaurants, which offer higher-quality food at a lower price.
It’s clear that both Burger King and Wendy’s are struggling to keep up with the competition. But with the right strategies, they could still turn things around. Both chains need to focus on improving their menus and marketing strategies in order to attract more customers. They also need to focus on providing a better customer experience in order to stand out from the competition.
Most of America’s biggest fast-food chains have recovered from their pandemic losses as the dust settled and restrictions eased. Only two major national chains are yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And when all its competitors are seeing a major sales growth that’s surpassing 2019 levels, it’s becoming more difficult to blame the pandemic for their struggles.
The two top stars, Chick-fil-A and Chipotle, are seeing their sales skyrocketing. Chick-fil-A did 30% better compared to its sales in 2019 and Chipotle had a whopping 34% sales increase during that same time, according to the data company Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report for 2022. In stark contrast, Subway and Burger King are still struggling to get back to their pre-pandemic sales levels.
Related: 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now
Subway, America’s largest chain by unit count, did manage to grow its sales by 13% in 2021. However, the company is still worse off than it was in 2019. The pandemic hit the home of the footlong sandwich hard, and the brand closed between 2,200 and 2,400 locations in the U.S. in 2020. During that same time period, its sales plummeted from $10.2 billion to $8.3 billion. In fact, the company has been on a downward spiral for a while, with a 25% decline in business between 2012 and 2017.
Subway has also struggled to keep its head above water when it came to controversial headlines. The company has been accused of everything from bad business practices with franchisee owners to faking the ingredients in its tuna.
Burger King is another chain that has been steadily moving down the fast-food hierarchy. Once the second-largest burger chain in America, Burger King is now ranking at number three, falling below Wendy’s in popularity.
Prior to Burger King’s fall from grace, the burger slinger was second in competition only to McDonald’s. Its lacking reputation and a laundry list of failed marketing campaigns, however, have contributed to its uneven sales performance in the last decade.
Additionally, the chain just got hit with a class-action lawsuit claiming their Whoppers are too small. The suit accuses Burger King of misrepresenting its iconic burger in advertisements by depicting it as 35% larger than it really is. While the case is ongoing, it may spell further trouble for its image.
Want the tea about what’s really going on at Subway and Burger King? Check out 9 Secrets America’s Most Controversial Fast-Food Chain Doesn’t Want You To Know and This Major National Burger Chain Is Falling Out of Favor with Customers, Data Shows.
Sign up for our newsletter!