2026 has been a blockbuster year for Australia’s quick service restaurants (QSR).
The sector is now valued at a staggering $37.95 billion (Source: Expert Market Research), fueled by record-high net store growth and a structural shift in consumer protein preferences.
While established giants like Subway and McDonald’s maintain their dominance in footprint, “Protein disruptors”—specifically Mexican and Chicken chains—are the clear winners in the 2026 fiscal year.
According to the GapMaps 2025 Annual Network Report, Mexican QSR remains one of the fastest-growing segments nationally, with chicken and sushi building massive scale.
Ranked by total operating units. Data sourced from GapMaps 2025/26 Network Analysis and ScrapeHero Market Intelligence.
| Rank | Brand | Total Units (2026) | Primary Strategy |
| 1 | Subway | 1,255 | “Asset-Light” proximity; 80% coverage within 3km of population. |
| 2 | McDonald’s | 1,073 | Tech-led efficiency; Voice AI drive-thrus & digital-only formats. |
| 3 | KFC | 808 | “Smart” kitchens; aggressive expansion in outer-suburban corridors. |
| 4 | Domino’s | 721 | Rationalizing the network: “Quality over Quantity.” |
| 5 | Bakers Delight | 519 | Traditional retail stability with focus on “Home-Bakers” re-brand. |
| 6 | Hungry Jack’s | 484 | Loyalty-led app growth & Jack’s Cafe expansion. |
| 7 | Red Rooster | 325 | The “Fried Chicken Pivot”—rebranding for Gen Z. |
| 8 | Boost Juice | 319 | Strategic lifestyle integration & global partner scaling. |
| 9 | Zambrero | 299 | “Feel-Good Mex”; philanthropic model driving regional growth. |
| 10 | Pie Face | 299 | Dominating the fuel/convenience (F&C) co-location model. |
| 11 | Pizza Hut | 273 | Digital systems overhaul to challenge Domino’s market share. |
| 12 | Guzman y Gomez | 242 | “Fresh-Mex” at speed; focusing on high-volume drive-thrus. |
| 13 | Sushi Hub | 200 | Reaching the 200-store milestone via transit-hub dominance. |
| 14 | Grill’d | 172 | Premium burger positioning; adding 20+ drive-thrus by FY26. |
| 15 | Oporto | 167 | Leveraging Craveable Brands’ scale in urban coastal corridors. |
The metric that matters in 2026 isn’t just openings; it’s Net Growth (Openings minus Closures).
“This was the strongest year of net growth we have recorded… while major brands expand with population, Mexican and chicken are showing incredible momentum.” > — Andrew Wooldridge, Associate Director, GapMaps (Source: Shopping Centre News)
KFC (+29 Net Stores): Leading the industry in net expansion through smaller, digital-only “Smart” stores and regional highway hubs.
Guzman y Gomez (+27 Net Stores): Accelerating toward its 1,000-store target. GYG leadership stated: “Our Australian pipeline is stronger than ever… 85% of these are drive-thrus approved with agreed commercial terms.” (Source: Listcorp / GYG ASX Announcement)
McDonald’s (+25 Net Stores): Strategically placing new units in outer-suburban housing corridors. (Source: GapMaps)
Sushi Hub (+22 Net Stores): The standout in the sushi category, reaching the 200-store footprint nationally in 2025. (Source: Franchise Executives)
El Jannah (+15 Net Stores): Backed by major investment from General Atlantic. Founder Andre El Jannah noted: “Our partnership with GA means we can explore selective international expansion for the first time.” (Source: Marketing Interactive)
McDonald’s: ($1M – $2.3M+). Stability remains king. Despite the high entry price, the brand’s defensive asset status is bolstered by a 10% average net profit margin (Source: Monkish Profile).
KFC: ($1.5M – $3M). Collins Foods (Australia’s largest KFC franchisee) is focusing on SSS growth through digital channels, which are currently experiencing strong expansion despite being slightly margin-dilutive. (Source: Morningstar Australia)
Guzman y Gomez: Average weekly sales have reached a historic $100k per restaurant. Typical payback periods for new franchisees are now tracking at 2.5 to 3 years. (Source: GYG Investor Letter)
Wingstop: Targeting global unit growth of 15% to 16% for 2026. CEO Michael Skipworth emphasised the successful rollout of the Wingstop Smart Kitchen as a key contributor to operational gains. (Source: Seeking Alpha)
Melbourne Overtakes Sydney: Melbourne now leads in total QSR store numbers, with 1,522 locations vs Sydney’s 1,507. (Source: GapMaps 2025 Report)
Voice AI & Automation: GYG and KFC are rolling out Voice AI at drive-thrus to enhance order accuracy and kitchen efficiency. (Source: GYG Half-Year Letter)
Every data point in this 2026 analysis is verified via:
GapMaps Geocoded Intelligence: Tracking real-world store openings/closures.
ASX Public Filings: Analysing GYG and Collins Foods (KFC) audited financials.
ACCC Intelligence: Monitoring the Franchise Disclosure Register for disputes or churn rates. (Source: ACCC Franchise Disclosure Update)
Franchise costs vary widely. For example, McDonald’s typically requires an upfront investment of $1 million+, while other brands like Boost Juice or Subway may require $200,000 to $500,000. Costs include franchise fees, fit-out, equipment, and working capital.
No prior QSR experience is usually required, but business or management experience is helpful. Most franchisors provide comprehensive training programs.
What ongoing fees are there for franchisees?
Common ongoing fees include royalty fees (typically 4–10% of gross sales), marketing levies, and other contributions to group advertising or support services.
Profitability varies by brand, location, and management. Many QSR franchisees expect net profits between 5–15% of gross sales, but this can depend on rent, wages, and other local factors.
Most franchisors offer site selection, store design, training, marketing support, supply chain management, and ongoing operational assistance.
Yes. The Franchising Code of Conduct, overseen by the ACCC, regulates operations and disclosure. (Source: ACCC)
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