Comparison of Franchised Burger Brands Unit Sales Volume

Below is a unit sales volume comparison (Average Unit Volume / AUV) for several of the top U.S. burger franchise chains, followed by a short description of each brand and what drives performance.

Quick AUV Comparison (2024)

Highest AUV Tier (≈ $3.8M–$4.0M+)

• McDonald’s — $3.96M

• Shake Shack — $3.87M

• Culver’s — $3.83M

Strong AUV Tier (≈ $2.0M–$2.2M+)

• Wendy’s — $2.1M

• Jack in the Box — $2.01M

Large-Scale, Mid AUV Tier (≈ $1.5M–$1.7M)

• Burger King — $1.63M

• Sonic Drive-In — $1.54M

These numbers highlight an important truth: scale doesn’t always mean the highest per-unit sales. McDonald’s is the exception because it combines scale and strong AUV.

Brand-by-Brand Descriptions (and why their AUV looks the way it does)

1) McDonald’s — $3.96M AUV (2024)

McDonald’s is the gold standard of burger franchising and one of the highest-AUV large-scale systems in the U.S. In 2024, it averaged about $3.96M per restaurant, which is especially notable because it achieves that level of performance across a massive U.S. footprint.

Why it performs:

• Massive brand recognition and habitual customer behavior

• Operational consistency and speed

• Strong value strategy and pricing architecture

• Huge digital, loyalty, and drive-thru throughput efficiency

Investor takeaway: McDonald’s sits in a rare category where the system is so optimized that AUV remains very strong even at huge scale.

2) Shake Shack — $3.87M AUV (2024)

Shake Shack is a fast-casual “better burger” brand with premium pricing and strong urban/suburban lifestyle placement. The brand posted an estimated $3.87M AUV in 2024.

Why it performs:

• Premium check average compared to QSR

• Strong brand loyalty and social appeal

• Dense markets and high-traffic trade areas

• Beverage, shake, and add-on attachment (higher tickets)

Investor takeaway: Shake Shack’s AUV is fueled by premium pricing and high-traffic markets, though buildout and rent can also be higher relative to traditional QSR.

3) Culver’s — $3.83M AUV (2024)

Culver’s is known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard, operating a hybrid model that blends burger meals with dessert attachments. In 2024, it delivered an estimated $3.83M AUV.

Why it performs:

• Strong Midwest and suburban market penetration

• Comfort-food menu with high repeat behavior

• Premium sides, custard desserts, and family dining frequency

• Strong hospitality reputation relative to typical QSR

Investor takeaway: Culver’s is a strong example of a brand using menu breadth + dessert attachment to lift revenue per unit.

4) Wendy’s — $2.1M AUV (2024)

Wendy’s is one of the leading legacy burger franchise brands, and it still performs strongly at the unit level, with AUV around $2.1M in 2024.

Restaurant industry reporting also notes Wendy’s AUV differences by store type, citing about $2.3M for company-owned and $2.1M for franchised units in 2024 (from the franchise disclosure document).

Why it performs:

• Strong core menu identity (fresh beef positioning)

• Major breakfast and digital initiatives

• Increasing focus on restaurant modernization (“Project Fresh”) to lift unit economics

Investor takeaway: Wendy’s tends to sit in the “strong but not top-tier AUV” zone—solid performance with meaningful efforts aimed at pushing AUV upward.

5) Jack in the Box — $2.01M AUV (2024)

Jack in the Box is a large burger QSR with a wide menu and late-night appeal. In 2024, it posted about $2.01M AUV.

Why it performs:

• Broad menu drives variety and daypart coverage

• Strong late-night positioning in many markets

• Drive-thru and convenience-based demand patterns

Investor takeaway: Jack in the Box’s AUV is competitive, but performance is often market-dependent because menu breadth and operational complexity can vary execution.

6) Burger King — $1.63M AUV (2024)

Burger King remains one of the largest burger franchise systems by unit count, but its average unit volume is notably lower than McDonald’s and Wendy’s. In 2024, Burger King’s U.S. AUV was cited around $1.63M.

Why the AUV is lower (relative to the leaders):

• Heavy competition in the value-burger segment

• Variability in restaurant quality and modernization levels

• Brand repositioning efforts still underway in many markets

Investor takeaway: Burger King is a scale powerhouse, but the unit-level AUV suggests that site quality, remodel requirements, and operational execution are major differentiators for franchisee performance.

7) Sonic Drive-In — $1.54M AUV (2024)

Sonic’s drive-in format is highly differentiated, and it continues to perform in the mid-range AUV tier, with about $1.54M AUV in 2024.

Why it performs:

• Beverage and frozen treat mix (important for tickets)

• Unique drive-in experience, which drives brand loyalty

• Strong summer seasonality in many markets

• Operational model built around drive-in throughput and carhop culture

Investor takeaway: Sonic can be a strong brand with a clear niche, but AUV is often influenced by seasonality and trade area fit.

To get a full range of burger franchise brands on the market, search the Franchise Conduit database:  www.FranchiseConduit.com

What This Comparison Tells You (Franchise Investor Lens)

1) Premium burger brands often win on AUV

Shake Shack and Culver’s generate AUVs close to McDonald’s because they combine:

• higher check average

• strong differentiation

• and brand-driven customer loyalty

2) Massive scale doesn’t guarantee high AUV

Burger King and Sonic have huge footprints, but lower AUV than the top tier.

3) AUV is only one metric

AUV is important, but investors should also evaluate:

• operating margin

• labor model

• rent and occupancy costs

• buildout and remodel costs

• franchise fee/royalty load

• multi-unit growth potential

A $3.8M AUV store with extremely high rent and labor could produce less owner profit than a $2.0M AUV store with better margins.

For more information on how to find the right franchise investment, contact Strategic Franchise Brokers:  www.StrategicFranchiseBrokers.com

For more information on how to franchise your burger brand, contact Franchise Marketing Systems:  www.FMSFranchise.com