Wendy’s has reportedly overtaken Burger King as America’s second biggest hamburger chain.
The Associated Press reports that upcoming research from food market research company Technomic is set to show that Wendy’s had sales of $8.5bn in 2011, compared with $8.4bn for Burger King.
McDonald’s was still significantly ahead of both on $34.2bn. That company has reported a sales rise of 26% in the past five years, against +9% for Wendy’s and flat at Burger King.
McDonald’s growth has been put down to evolving its range and restaurants and keeping prices low during the downturn. Wendy’s has also been introducing new products, such as Dave’s Hot ‘N Juicy burger introduced last autumn. Burger King is seen as being in a process of change since its acquisition by 3G Capital in 2010.
Globally, Burger King is still far larger than Wendy’s and remains in the number two position behind McDonald’s.
AP reports that the figures are based on Technomic’s estimates of system-wide sales at franchise and company-owned restaurants, rather than corporate revenue, which includes fees from franchise operators.
