Starbucks Has Passed Burger King and Wendy’s

The era of burger and French fry dominance is OVER.  We're a soy latte and caramel macchiato country now, my friends.

According to sales data from 2010, STARBUCKS is now the country's third-largest chain restaurant.

McDonald's held on to its eternal spot as number one.  Subway is number two.

For the past several decades, the top three in sales has always gone McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.  But over the last ten years, the burger-and-fry culture started slipping . . . as sandwiches and coffee started making huge gains.

Subway entered the top two about five years ago, and in 2009, the top five went McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Wendy's, Starbucks.  Last year, Starbucks finally cracked the top three.

In 2010, McDonald's did $32.4 BILLION in sales.  Subway came in second and did less than ONE-THIRD of what McDonald's did, with $10.6 BILLION in sales.  Starbucks did $9.07 BILLION.

The top 10 chains in the U.S. based on 2010 sales are:  McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Dunkin' Donuts, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Sonic.

(Ad Age)