These are the 10 largest food chains in SC in 2026, data shows. No. 1 may not be what you think
The United States is obsessed with fast food, controversially so. Taking up nearly one out of three restaurants in the U.S., chains are quick, convenient and won’t break the bank.
Fast food is known to be unhealthy and takes up a huge chunk of your required daily calories. But that doesn’t stop millions of Americans from picking it up on their way home.
During Aug. 2021 and Aug. 2023, about one out of three adults consumed fast food on any given day, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
And every month, 80% of U.S. consumers get fast food at least once, spending over $140 on average.
Chains have capitalized on their popularity by a significant amount. North America dominates the fast food scene, taking a 29% cut of the global market share, which was worth 810 billion dollars in 2024. By 2033, the global market size is expected to reach 1224.46 billion dollars.
The love for fast food is no different in South Carolina. Consumers in SC, on average, spent 0.41% of their monthly household income on fast food in 2025, according to a WalletHub study. That ranks SC as the 12th state in the nation that spends the most money on fast food.
So far in 2026, these are the top 10 largest food chains in SC:
Top 10 food chains in SC
ScrapeHero, a data company, keeps track of the most popular brands in each state. The top three fast food brands in SC make up 46% of the state’s top 10 food chains.
- 1. Subway - 338 locations
- 2. Hunt Brothers Pizza - 333 locations
- 3. Starbucks - 266 locations
- 4. McDonald’s - 229 locations
- 5. Waffle House - 178 locations
- 6. Bojangles - 153 locations
- 7. Wendy’s - 136 locations
- 8. Dunkin Donuts - 133 locations
- 9. Burger King - 132 locations
- 10. Taco Bell - 130 locations
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "These are the 10 largest food chains in SC in 2026, data shows. No. 1 may not be what you think."