McDonald’s has been a cornerstone of
American fast-food culture, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Steven
Johnson Grocerant Guru® and
the team at Tacoma, based Foodservice Solutions® wants you to know you are not
the only one that visits
McDonalds.
In fact, nearly 87% of U.S.
households visited the chain at least once over the past 12 months,
according to recent data from the analytics firm Numerator. This makes McDonald’s the most visited
restaurant chain in the United States, a title it has held for years.
In the past seven years, McDonald’s has consistently
attracted millions of customers annually, with many visiting multiple times
throughout the year. According to historical data, here is an overview of how
many Americans have visited McDonald’s
over the last seven years:
McDonald’s U.S. Visits (Annual)
·
2017: Approximately 120 million Americans visited
McDonald’s at least once.
·
2018: Roughly 123 million Americans.
·
2019: An increase to 126 million Americans.
·
2020: Despite the pandemic, McDonald’s saw 121 million
visits as drive-thru and delivery services sustained business.
·
2021: Visits rebounded with 129 million Americans
visiting.
·
2022: Continued growth with 133 million unique visits.
·
2023: The number hit a peak with 138 million American
visitors, demonstrating its continued dominance in the fast-food space.
On average, the typical McDonald’s customer made 54
visits in the past year, spending approximately $461. That breaks
down to relatively modest spending per visit, showing how McDonald’s affordable
pricing remains a key driver for its frequent visits.
The Next Seven Most Visited Chains in
America
While McDonald’s reigns supreme, several other chains also
attract significant traffic across the U.S. Here’s a look at the next seven
chains based on their popularity:
1.
Starbucks:
o Two-thirds
of U.S. households visited Starbucks in the past 12 months. Known for its
loyal, high-income, urban Gen X customer base, Starbucks visitors tend to dine
out four times a week. Despite strong customer loyalty, the chain has
experienced sales struggles this year.
2.
Subway:
o With over 20,000 locations in the U.S., Subway has a
stronghold in rural areas. Numerator data suggests its customers are 18%
more likely to live in rural areas. Subway’s presence in both small towns
and urban centers helps maintain its wide appeal.
3.
Dunkin’:
o Dunkin’ remains a favorite among coffee lovers,
particularly in the Northeast. Its customers allocate 14% of their total
restaurant spending at various dining establishments, showing that they are
frequent restaurant-goers, even beyond Dunkin’.
4.
Taco Bell:
o Taco Bell draws a large, younger demographic, with
late-night offerings and affordable prices. The chain’s convenient, handheld
menu items have helped it maintain a strong position among fast-food diners.
5.
Chick-fil-A:
o Known for exceptional customer service and quality chicken
sandwiches, Chick-fil-A enjoys a cult-like following, particularly in the
Southeast. Its limited operating hours (closed on Sundays) have done little to
deter its immense popularity.
6.
Chipotle Mexican
Grill:
o Chipotle has seen significant growth in recent years,
especially among younger, urban customers. According to Numerator, its customer
base is 43% more likely to be younger Gen Z consumers and 44% more
likely to be Black.
7.
Wendy’s:
o Wendy’s continues to attract customers with its “fresh,
never frozen” beef and a wide range of menu items. While not on the same scale
as McDonald’s, Wendy’s remains one of the go-to choices for consumers seeking
fast and affordable meals.
Why McDonald’s Remains on Top
What makes McDonald’s so beloved? A few key factors
contribute to its enduring success:
1.
Affordability: McDonald’s value menu and regular promotions keep it
competitive and accessible to a wide range of consumers.
2.
Convenience: With over 13,000 locations across the U.S. and
robust drive-thru and delivery operations, McDonald’s is easy to access.
3.
Brand Loyalty: The chain has cultivated a strong emotional connection
with customers through consistent branding and nostalgic appeal.
4.
Innovation: From introducing healthier menu items to tech-savvy
mobile ordering, McDonald’s stays ahead by adapting to consumer trends.
With McDonald’s attracting nearly nine out of 10 U.S.
households in the past year, it’s clear that the brand is not just a
fast-food giant, but a cultural icon embedded in the fabric of American life.
Whether through a quick drive-thru meal or a nostalgic Happy Meal, McDonald’s
continues to be the restaurant America loves to visit.
Do your food
marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning
how our Grocerant Guru® can edify your retail food brand while
creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation,
and individualization? Email us
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