Technomic has released the 2021 Top-500 Chain Restaurant Report comparing sales performance of U.S. chain restaurants.

• As a result of COVID, the top 500 U.S. restaurants experienced a $27 billion decline in sales during 2020 representing an 8 percent drop compared to 2019.  COVID was a great leveler with disproportionate pressure on small and independent restaurants compared to the large chains that managed to either maintain sales volume or expand.

• Chains with drive-through and delivery options including McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A® and Dominos increased sales during the pandemic. 

• Chicken was the outstanding winner during COVID with double digit increases in demand especially for products such as wings and for chicken sandwiches.

• Wendy’s achieved sales growth by introducing breakfast and is now the fifth-largest QSR chain in the U.S.

• Full-service chains suffered as a result of COVID shutdowns and the move to at-home preparation and consumption of meals.