The Biggest Ice Cream and Fast-Food Chains in America

Americans love their food, and that's especially true when it comes to ice cream and fast-food. So, what are the biggest ice cream and fast-food chains in America? While the No. 1 biggest fast-food chain isn't a surprise, some of the others on the tally might surprise you. The same is true for ice cream.

Let's start with fast-food chains. The experts at Technomic have published their annual chain restaurant report, which is something they've been doing since 1974. "What started as the Top 100 Report has since evolved into the Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, the industry’s leading performance tracker, published by an independent source you can trust," they state on their website. As for methodology, " The report—built using decades of historical data—provides a detailed analysis of the foodservice industry and overarching trends, annual sales and unit counts by chain and segment, and Top 500 sales forecasts for 2024."

No. 1 on the tally (via nrn.com) for the biggest fast-food chains, big surprise, is McDonald's. The chain was founded in 1955, and their sales for 2023 was an impressive $53.1 billion. As of 2023, they have 13,457 restaurants in the U.S. No. 2 on the tally is Starbucks, which surprised me, because I don't really think of Starbucks as a fast-food chain. They were founded in 1971 and had $31.6 billion in sales in 2023. No. 3 on the roster is Chick-fil-A, which was founded in 1967 and did $21.6 billion in sales in 2023.

Now, onto ice cream. I could go for some ice cream right now. Just saying. According to the experts are Eatthis.com, the most popular and biggest ice cream chain in America is Baskin-Robbins. That's interesting to me, because we haven't had a Baskin-Robbins near where I live for years. But, they do have tons of great flavors. I remember loving their Bubble Gum flavor as a kid. Eatthis.com notes that "most Americans know Baskin-Robbins as the ice cream chain that offers not one, not 10 but 31 different ice creams ranging from Rocky Road to Cotton Candy to the nutty, coffee-flavored Jamoca Almond Fudge." They add, "Even if you manage to sample everything on the permanent menu, you'll almost always have something new to try at Baskin-Robbins thanks to its ever-rotating flavors of the month. No. 2 on the tally is Salt & Straw, and No. 3. Carvel. I was surprised to see Dairy Queen at No. 5 on the tally, since I thought it would be higher. Their blizzards are incredible. Read below for some food items to skip at restaurants, by the way.

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

Therefore, when encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.