The document lists the top 5 global fast food chains by number of international restaurants: 1) McDonald's with 18,710 international restaurants, 2) KFC with 11,798, 3) Subway with 10,109 in over 100 countries, 4) Pizza Hut which added 367 new international stores in 2012 for a total of 5,890, and 5) Starbucks with 5,727 international locations across over 50 countries.
1. Top 10 Global Fast Food Chains
1. McDonald's
Number of international restaurants: 18,710
McDonald's added just 212 eateries overseas last year,
but its commanding lead left it still tops in
international presence amongst American-based
fast-food-chains. Pictured here is a McDonald's meal
in Yichang, China.
2. KFC
Number of international restaurants: 11,798
The Yum! Brands division has more than 4,200
restaurants in China, where a poultry-feed scandal
caused sales to decline last year. Shown here: A meal
at a Shanghai KFC.
3. Subway
Number of international restaurants: 10,109
Subway operates in more than 100 countries now, having added
Suriname and Russia last year. Above is a Subway sign at a
restaurant in Paris.
2. 4. Pizza Hut
Number of international restaurants: 5,890
Pizza Hut -- a sister company to Yum! Brands'
KFC -- build 367 new international stores in 2012.
The pizza chain also sold all its corporate-owned
foreign restaurants to independent franchise
owners last year.
5. Starbucks
Number of international restaurants: 5,727
The java giant now has coffee shops in over 50
countries, and added 220 international shops last
year. Shown here: A Starbucks in Japan.