A new study looked at how large fast-food companies are doing business around the world from 1980 to 2023. Researchers found that even though fast-food sales have slowed down in wealthy countries, big companies are still making lots of money by expanding to other parts of the world. These companies make money partly by franchising (letting others run restaurants under their brand) and through private investment groups. The study shows that a small number of American-based companies control most of the global fast-food market. Because fast food is often high in processed ingredients and meat, this expansion means more people worldwide are eating foods linked to health problems like obesity and heart disease.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How fast-food companies are growing globally, how much money they make, and whether their expansion affects what people eat
- Who participated: Researchers analyzed sales data from fast-food companies in 54 countries and looked at financial records of major publicly traded fast-food corporations over 40+ years
- Key finding: Large fast-food companies are making steady profits and expanding into new countries, even though sales have stopped growing in wealthy nations. They do this through franchising and investment strategies that keep profits high for shareholders
- What it means for you: As fast-food companies expand globally, more people in developing countries may have easier access to cheap, processed foods that are linked to weight gain and chronic diseases. This could affect public health worldwide, though individual food choices still matter
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a global analysis by collecting market sales data from fast-food companies operating in 54 countries between 2009 and 2023. They also examined detailed financial records of major publicly traded fast-food corporations going back to 1980. This long-term approach allowed them to see patterns in how the industry has changed over decades. The study combined two types of information: big-picture market trends (how much fast food is being sold) and company-specific financial data (how much profit companies are making and how they’re structured). By looking at both pieces together, researchers could understand not just whether fast-food sales are growing, but how companies stay profitable even when growth slows.
Understanding how fast-food companies make money and expand is important because it helps explain why these restaurants are becoming more common worldwide. When we know their business strategies, we can better understand why fast food is so accessible and affordable in many communities. This information is crucial for policymakers who want to address diet-related health problems, because it shows that simply asking companies to be healthier won’t work—we need to understand and potentially change the business models that make unhealthy food so profitable and widespread.
This study is a comprehensive analysis of real market and financial data from multiple countries over many years, which makes it reliable for understanding global trends. However, the study focuses on business and market patterns rather than directly measuring how these trends affect individual people’s health. The researchers analyzed publicly available financial information, which is generally accurate. The study’s strength is its global scope and long time period, giving a clear picture of industry-wide patterns rather than just one company or region.
What the Results Show
The research found that fast-food sales in wealthy countries (like the U.S. and Europe) have stopped growing or are growing very slowly. However, major fast-food companies are still making healthy profits and paying shareholders well. They achieve this through business strategies like franchising, where they let other people open restaurants under their brand name while taking a cut of the profits. This means the company doesn’t have to spend as much money opening new restaurants themselves. Additionally, private investment groups have bought into these companies, which has helped them stay profitable even when sales slow down. The study shows that American-based fast-food companies dominate the global market, controlling most of the fast-food restaurants worldwide. These companies are rapidly expanding into countries outside wealthy nations, particularly in developing regions where fast food is still relatively new.
The research highlights that as fast-food companies expand globally, they’re bringing their standard menu items—which tend to be high in processed ingredients, added salt, sugar, and meat—to new populations. This matters because these dietary patterns are connected to serious health problems including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The study also notes that the expansion of fast-food companies contributes to environmental problems like greenhouse gas emissions, loss of natural habitats, and reduced biodiversity. The consolidation of power in the hands of a few large corporations means that decisions about what food is available and affordable in communities worldwide are being made by a small number of companies focused on profit rather than public health.
This research builds on growing concern among public health experts about the global spread of ultra-processed foods and their connection to diet-related diseases. Previous studies have shown that fast food is linked to health problems, but this study adds important new information by explaining how business strategies allow fast-food companies to keep expanding and profiting even when growth slows in their traditional markets. The findings support earlier research showing that food system changes are driven not just by consumer preferences, but by deliberate business strategies and corporate structures. This study provides concrete evidence for what many researchers have suspected: that the fast-food industry’s expansion is a planned business strategy, not just a natural response to what people want to eat.
This study focuses on market trends and financial data rather than directly measuring how these changes affect people’s actual eating habits and health. While the research shows that fast-food companies are expanding, it doesn’t prove that this expansion directly causes people to eat more fast food or become less healthy—though other research suggests this connection. The study also doesn’t include information about smaller, local food businesses or how they’re affected by fast-food expansion. Additionally, the research is based on publicly available financial data, which may not tell the complete story of how these companies operate in all countries. Finally, the study was published in 2025, so it reflects data through 2023 and may not capture very recent changes in the industry.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, public health experts suggest that addressing diet-related health problems requires more than just educating people about healthy eating. Policymakers should consider structural changes such as: reforming how corporate food companies are governed, reducing the influence of private investment groups in food businesses, and redirecting government subsidies away from supporting cheap processed foods. Individuals can support these changes by advocating for food policies in their communities and choosing local food options when possible. However, it’s important to recognize that individual choices alone cannot solve a problem created by powerful corporate structures. Confidence level: High for the business trends described; Moderate for health recommendations, as this study focuses on industry structure rather than direct health interventions.
Everyone should care about this research because it affects global food systems and public health. It’s especially important for: policymakers and government officials who make food and health policies; public health professionals working to prevent diet-related diseases; parents concerned about their children’s nutrition; people living in developing countries where fast-food expansion is happening; and environmental advocates concerned about sustainability. People who already eat mostly home-cooked meals may be less directly affected, but the research still matters for understanding broader food system changes. This research is less relevant for those primarily interested in individual diet tips, as it focuses on systemic issues rather than personal nutrition choices.
The changes described in this research happen over decades, not weeks or months. Fast-food expansion into new countries typically takes years to significantly change local eating patterns. If policies are implemented to address corporate food system issues, it would likely take 5-10 years to see meaningful changes in food availability and eating habits in communities. Individual health improvements from dietary changes can happen faster (weeks to months), but shifting global food systems requires long-term commitment and policy changes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your weekly fast-food purchases and spending: Record how many times per week you eat fast food, how much money you spend, and what types of foods you choose. This helps you become aware of your own patterns and see if you’re moving toward fewer fast-food meals over time. Set a personal goal, such as reducing fast-food visits from 3 times per week to 2 times per week.
- Use the app to find and try local restaurants, food markets, and home-cooking resources in your area as alternatives to fast food. Create a list of quick, affordable meals you can make at home and track when you prepare them instead of buying fast food. Challenge yourself to cook one new recipe per week using whole ingredients.
- Over 3-6 months, monitor trends in your fast-food consumption, spending, and how you feel (energy levels, digestion, overall health). Track which local food alternatives you enjoy most so you can build sustainable eating habits. Use the app to set reminders for meal planning and grocery shopping to make home cooking easier than relying on fast food.
This research describes trends in the fast-food industry and its potential health impacts, but it does not provide medical advice or personalized dietary recommendations. The study focuses on business and market patterns rather than direct health outcomes for individuals. If you have concerns about your diet or health, please consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. Individual food choices matter, and this research should not be interpreted as suggesting that personal dietary decisions are unimportant—rather, it highlights that individual choices exist within larger food system structures. The findings about health risks associated with ultra-processed foods and meat-heavy diets reflect broader scientific consensus, but this particular study does not directly measure health outcomes in study participants.