2008-07-29 23:58:02 -

www.qsrmagazine.com - QSR Magazine Greg Sanders, 919-489-1916; press@qsrmagazine.com www.qsrmagazine.com QSR magazine, a business-to-business publication for food service executives and operators, has released the 2008 edition of The QSR 50, its annual ranking of chains in the limited-service restaurant segment.

There were no surprises in the top two spots, as McDonald's topped the list with more than $28 billion in system-wide sales, and Burger King placed a distant second with nearly $9 billion dollars in sales. However, there was a major shake-up in spot number three, as Subway, with a little more than $8 billion in sales, displaced struggling Wendy's.

Newcomers to the list included fast casual chicken concept Zaxby's; sandwich shop Jimmy John's; and fresh-Mex concept Qdoba.

On the whole, the industry fared well in 2007, the period covered by the ranking, as 43 of the top 50 chains saw growth in sales. However, the overall slope of success decreased toward the end of the year in a precursor to the tight economy of 2008.

The QSR 50 is compiled with data collected directly from the chains, with additional data points provided by GE Franchise Finance. In addition to the list of top 50 chains by sales, the report also includes:

-- Top 10 fast casual chains

-- Top 10 chains with fewer than 300 units

-- Top 10 chains by change in sales

-- Top chains by menu segment

-- 10 chains poised to make it on the list

-- Capsule summaries of each chain's defining story in 2007

-- Predictions for 2009

"Our annual ranking of the industry's top-performing chains is intended to be used as a guide, a tool to help operators and analysts gain a clear view of the quick-service landscape," says Sherri Daye Scott, editor of QSR magazine. "This year's QSR 50 package includes an online component that will make that task even easier."

The full report is published in QSR's August issue. In addition, web visitors will find an exclusive segmented chart for easy sorting by various criteria at www.qsrmagazine.com/reports/qsr50. E-prints of the full report are also available at the magazine's web site.

QSR Magazine

QSR magazine and its web site QSRmagazine.com are the leading sources of news and information about the limited-service restaurant industry. For more than 10 years, QSR has defined this market, which includes traditional fast food, fast casual dining, coffee, snacks, full-service takeaway, concessions, convenience stores, and related segments of the food service industry. It is the magazine's brand mission to report and analyze current trends in the restaurant industry, work to enhance the positive impact of diversity on this market, and improve the industry as a whole.

The QSR 50 Ranks the Top Quick-Service and Fast Casual Restaurant
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