The Australian fast food and quick service restaurant sector recorded its best year of net growth in at least a decade in 2025, according to a new industry report, with Mexican QSR brands and mid-sized chicken chains leading the charge.
GapMaps’ 2025 Annual Fast Food & QSR Network Report, which tracks the top 36 brands across 7,779 locations nationally, recorded 359 store openings and just 109 closures for the 12 months to December 31, 2025 — a net gain of 250 stores.
“This was the strongest year of net growth we have recorded, driven by the second-highest number of openings on record and the lowest number of closures in the past decade,” said Toby Wooldridge, Associate Director of Research & Insights at GapMaps.
The results come despite ongoing cost pressures and fierce competition across the sector.
The big three — Subway, McDonald’s, and KFC — each opened 25 or more locations during the year. KFC led in net growth with 29 new stores after closures, followed by McDonald’s with 25 and Subway with 18.
Mexican and mid-sized brands dominate
The Mexican QSR segment was among the fastest-growing. Zambrero and Guzman Y Gomez each surpassed 30 openings for the year, posting net growth of 31 and 27 stores, respectively.
Mid-sized chicken brands also had a strong run. Oporto added 17 net new locations, El Jannah 15, and Nando’s 10. Sushi Hub hit a significant milestone, reaching the 200-store mark nationally after adding 22 net-new locations.
One of the report’s more notable findings: for the first time in the report’s history, Melbourne has overtaken Sydney in total QSR locations. Melbourne ended 2025 with 1,522 stores — a net increase of 60 — edging out Sydney’s 1,507, which grew by 32.
“The major brands are expanding in line with population growth, while key segments like Mexican and chicken are showing incredible momentum,” Wooldridge added.
GapMaps tracks more than 1,500 brands across Australia and layers location intelligence with consumer spending and food delivery data through a partnership with CommBank iQ.
