CHICAGO—A new study from Technomic revealed domestic sales for the limited-service hamburger industry grew by a healthy 4.1 percent in 2008 to $64 billion, outperforming the total limited-service restaurant segment’s growth of 3.2 percent.
The Top 50 hamburger chains made up the vast majority of the market, with $62.8 billion in sales and growth of 4.4 percent. Their solid results were largely driven by strong concept positioning and the introduction of new premium burgers by the industry’s heavy hitters.
The “2009 Technomic Top 50 Limited-Service Hamburger Chains Restaurant Report” examined trends, chains and products, and analyzed the top performers by sales and units. Comprehensive appendices include profiles of individual chains and lists of the Top 50 burger chains sorted alphabetically and by sales and units.
“In 2008, the burger industry showed that there is more than one route to staying relevant and growing sales in a weak economy,” says Darren Tristano, executive vice president at Technomic. “Fast-casual chains strengthened their gourmet burger positioning and benefited from consumers trading down from casual restaurants. Traditional quick service chains stepped up to premium burgers, and consumers responded well. In the future, the leaders will be those who continue to closely monitor market opportunities and watch how competitors respond.”