7 fast food chains you’ll see everywhere in 2022 – eat this not that

The fast food industry is moving faster than anyone who can fry a French potato. After COVID-19 changed the entire corporate landscape, 2021 brought a host of new trends for a post-pandemic world. From a redesigned drive-thru to the growing digital presence, the channels are changing and expanding by the minute.
Some, however, have announced expansion plans that will dramatically increase their presence on the national fast food scene. From proven brands building on their newfound momentum to less recognizable names that seem to reflect an expanding customer base, here are the chains that could be coming to your neighborhood in 2022.
For more, check out 9 fast food chains that are phasing out dining halls.
The largest fast-food restaurant chain in the Philippines, where it operates more than 1,300 establishments, Jollibee is not as well known in the United States. But according to Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee North America, that is about to change. The brand, specializing in “Chickenjoy”, a signature fried chicken that is crisp outside and juicy inside, plans a major expansion in North America. The company currently operates just 48 locations in the United States and about a dozen in Canada, but will increase that number to 300 by 2024.

Barely a small brand, Shake Shack plans to grow even bigger in 2022. The chain is planning its biggest expansion to date, adding up to 50 locations in the United States in the new year. Most of the new restaurants will feature innovative drive-through or free-access Shack Track windows, and some will include drive-thru lanes. This comes at the end of a successful 2021, where the Shack added just under 40 new locations.

If the downfall of Subway and Quiznos has created a space on the sandwich chain scene, Firehouse Subs just might be the brand to fill it. The sub-store was just bought by Restaurant Brands International, which is the same fast food holding company behind a few fast-casual joints you may have heard of before: Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes. And you’re about to see the brand take off as the new parent company has already announced plans to expand the chain from its 1,200 locations.
âWe see tremendous potential to accelerate US and international growth at Firehouse Subs through RBI’s development expertise, global franchise network and digital capabilities,â said Jose Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, in a communicated.

Del Taco is a similar story. Freshly bought by fast food giant Jack In the Box for $ 575 million, the 600-unit chain is set to add new locations with help from the company’s now-shared resources.
âThis is a natural combination of two like-minded challenger brands with exceptional growth opportunities,â said Darin Harris, CEO of Jack in the Box, in a statement. âTogether, Jack in the Box and Del Taco will benefit from a stronger financial model, gaining greater scale to invest in digital and technological capabilities, and unit growth for both brands. “

Wendy’s made a huge announcement this year that it will be opening a whopping 1,200 new locations by 2025. Interestingly, not all of these locations will be regular Wendy’s restaurants. In fact, 700 of them are going to open in the form of ghost kitchens, according to executives. These locations will increase Wendy’s global footprint by a third and will primarily help serve urban communities without the expense of opening additional restaurants.

We have an eye on Tacombi. Even though the chain currently operates just 13 locations in New York, Washington DC and Miami, this underdog is bringing heat to the fast-paced laid-back space with huge growth expected – we’re talking 75 new units in a variety of markets. His tacos and burritos could soon give Chipotle a hard time.

It’s been a while since Little Caesars made the headlines to grow up. In November, however, the pizza chain announced plans to open 227 new restaurants, largely in previously untapped markets, an overall growth of around 5%.
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