The fast food industry is booming with a wide variety of chains vying for the attention of hungry consumers. Fast food chains in the UK offer endless food options, from traditional fish and chips to exotic international cuisine.
The largest fast food chains in the UK offer diverse food and beverages, catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether you are in the mood for a quick sandwich, a hearty burger, or a sweet treat, there is something for everyone in the world of fast food.
Which are the 15 largest fast food chains in the UK?
The largest fast food chains in the UK offer diverse menus, ranging from traditional British fare to international cuisine. Here are the 15 largest fast-food chains in the UK and the food and beverages they serve according to Franchise:
1. Co-op Food
Co-op Food has 3,836 locations across six countries, making it the biggest fast food chain in the UK. The chain is known for its quality food, excellent customer service, and strong history as a cooperative business.
The fast food chain mostly focuses on locally produced foods or products grown or produced in specific counties. As a result, Co-op Food has a loyal customer base that appreciates the range and quality of products they offer. Its menu includes sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
2. Greggs
Greggs is a British bakery chain that specialises in savoury products. It includes bakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches, and sweet items like doughnuts and cakes. Recently, Greggs expanded its menu to include soups, salads, and various healthier options.
Despite offering many items, the most popular food items purchased from the food chain are sausage rolls and doughnuts. As of 2023, Greggs has over 2,406 locations in the UK, making it one of the largest fast-food chains in the country.
3. JD Wetherspoon
JD Wetherspoon is the best fast food chain in the UK, particularly because of its unique and historic pub locations. The food chain has 811 locations in the UK, with a presence in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The food chain serves various food and beverages, including burgers, steaks, fish and chips, and traditional pub fare. JD Wetherspoon has many real ales, craft beers, and spirits and is also known for its Curry Club and Steak Club promotions.
4. Toby Carvery
Toby Carvery is a British carvery chain comprising 158 restaurants across the United Kingdom. The chain primarily focuses on the traditional British carvery, offering its customers a quintessential roast dinner experience.
Founded in 1985, Toby Carvery has a rich history and is committed to providing a wholesome dining experience. Its most popular menu features a selection of carvery meats, including roast beef, turkey, and gammon, accompanied by a choice of vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and gravy.
5. Hard Rock Café
Hard Rock Café is one of the best UK-founded fast food chains. It originated in London in 1971 and has since expanded to become one of the most iconic and widely distributed restaurant chains worldwide.
Hard Rock Café is known for its unique combination of rock and roll memorabilia, collectable fashion, and music-related merchandise. Its chains offer memorable dining experiences and Hard Rock Live performance venues.
Hard Rock Cafe's menu features a variety of rockin' burgers, fries, milkshakes, American classics, and international dishes.
Some of the favourites on the menu include the Original Legendary Burger, Moving Mountains Burger, One Night In Bangkok Spicy Shrimp, Apple Cobbler, Cuban Sliders, Famous Fajitas, and classic BBQ Pork Ribs.
6. Harry Ramsden's
Harry Ramsden’s is among the most popular and best fast food chains in the UK. It is a renowned British fish and chip restaurant chain that has maintained its originality by serving the same great quality fish and chips since 1928.
The menu at Harry Ramsden's includes the world-famous battered fish with its closely guarded secret recipe. Also, it offers an extensive choice of mouth-watering options and a fantastic children's menu to satisfy the entire family.
7. Leon
Leon is a fast-food chain known for its originality and commitment to creating better fast food. The restaurant also focuses on offering healthy and sustainable options, making it a popular restaurant among customers looking for a healthier fast food experience.
Leon Restaurants serves many fast-casual Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Its popular choices include a range of hot boxes, salads, wraps, and burgers. The chain also offers fresh, natural ingredients beverages, including coffee and soft drinks, baked goods and sweet treats.
8. Tortilla
Tortilla is a Mexican fast-food chain founded in the United Kingdom in London in 2007. It has over 50 locations across the UK and many additional locations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As a result, the brand has become the UK's largest fast-food Mexican fast food chain.
The chain has become popular because it focuses on providing high-quality, Californian-inspired Mexican cuisine. Tortilla offers a variety of dishes, including burritos, tacos, and bowls, made with fresh ingredients and traditional Mexican flavours.
9. Nando’s
Nando’s is a popular fast food chain in the UK specialising in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. Although it is a fast food chain in the UK, it was founded in South Africa in 1987 and opened its doors in the UK in 1992.
Nando's originality lies in its unique concept of allowing customers to customise their meals. Customers can use the chain’s famous heat scale to add different spice levels to their food, from mild to extra-hot.
Nando’s menu includes dishes like the iconic Nando's chicken, salads, wraps, and sides to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
10. Wagamama
Wagamama is a British restaurant chain that serves Asian food inspired by Japanese cuisine. The fast food chain is famous for providing a fun and interactive dining experience.
Customers at Wagamama can customise their bowls of noodles, rice, or salad. Also, the chain offers other dishes, including ramen, poke bowls, and donburi. Thus, the chain gives customers options to choose their ingredients and sauces to create a unique and personalised meal.
11. Subway
Subway is one of the many American fast-food chains in the UK. It has over 2,100 locations in the UK, making it one of the largest fast-food chains in the country.
Subway is famous for serving made-to-order submarine sandwiches, known as subs. Its menu features a wide range of options, allowing customers to customise their orders to their preferences, thus providing a personalised dining experience for each customer.
The food options customers can get at Subway include a selection of bread, meats, cheeses, vegetables, salads, wraps, and sauces.
12. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is a well-known fast-food chain in the UK with over 700 locations. The chain serves different types of pizzas, pasta dishes, and sides.
Pizza Hut gives its customers a unique experience by allowing them to customise their orders to their preferences. Customers can choose from a selection of crusts, sauces, meats, vegetables, and cheeses.
Besides its pizza offerings, Pizza Hut serves various pasta dishes, including spaghetti bolognese, mac and cheese, and sides like garlic bread and chicken wings. The chain has also introduced vegan and vegetarian options, catering to customers with different dietary requirements.
13. KFC
KFC is an American fast-food restaurant chain with a significant presence in the UK. It has over 1,000 locations in the UK, making it one of the largest fast-food chains in the country,
KFC has a large customer base because of its pioneering role in popularising chicken in the fast-food industry. The fast food chain is renowned for its signature fried chicken prepared with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.
The menu at KFC features a variety of chicken-based items, including the iconic Original Recipe chicken, chicken burgers, chicken wings, and chicken wraps. Also, KFC serves a selection of sides, such as coleslaw, mashed potatoes, gravy, desserts, and beverages.
14. McDonald's
McDonald's is a fast-food chain that originated in the United States and has since expanded to become one of the largest fast-food chains worldwide. As of 2023, McDonald's has over 1,270 locations in the UK.
McDonald's menu features hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and salads. The chain is also known for its breakfast menu, which includes Egg McMuffins and hotcakes. Also, McDonald's provides beverages, including soft drinks, coffee, and milkshakes.
15. Burger King
Burger King is a prominent fast-food chain in the UK with approximately 500 locations nationwide. The fast food chain has been a staple in many towns, cities, and service stations across the UK.
The food chain is popular for its flame-grilled burgers, including the Whopper Sandwich, the Quarter Pound King, and the Double Whopper, complemented by fries and a choice of sides. It also has a diverse menu that caters to various customer tastes and preferences.
Wrapping up
Co-op Food is the largest fast food chain in the UK. It offers a variety of food and grocery items, including sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Other fast food chains in the UK include JD Wetherspoon and Toby Carvery. However, the UK also has fast food chains founded in other countries, including Subway, Pizza Hut, and Burger King.
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