QSR US hiring and store footprint trends

Changing consumer preferences and pressured discretionary spending continue to impact the QSR industry. Two leading indicators of individual chain performance can help investors keep a finger on the pulse of change before it shows up in the numbers: store locations and hiring.

What hiring trends stand out?

Across the US, out-of-favor Subway and Burger King have just 0.3 and 0.4 openings on average for each of its locations. That compares with the fast pace of recruitment at McDonalds and Taco Bell with 3.9 and 4.5 openings per location respectively.

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Which chains are changing their store estates?

Chipotle and Chick-fil-A continue to aggressively expand its net store estate in the US with the chains boosting their footprint by 5.5% and 5.7% YTD respectively. Conversely, Burger King has continued its gradual reduction in store numbers with another c3% closed so far in 2026. Despite its traditionally more stable store count, Wendy’s has so far shed almost 6% of its US store estate as it embarks up on its turnaround plans after the bankruptcy of one of its largest franchisees and operator of 314 stores, Meritage Hospitality Group.

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How is store growth affecting hiring needs?

Among the chains growing their store estates, namely Chipotle and Chick-fil-A, we observe a significant skew in labour demand toward non-managerial store-based staff. While other chains need managers and supervisors to organise their operations, 75% and 68% of openings for Chipotle and Chick-fil-A respectively are for front line workers.

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