These Are The 10 Biggest Burger Chains Of 2018

Meet — or maybe, meat — the 10 biggest hamburger chains of 2018. Some restaurant names high up on the list will shock absolutely no one, but others serve up a tasty surprise.

The list comes from Nation's Restaurant News and its annual Top 200 report, a proprietary ranking of the foodservice industry's largest restaurant chains and parent companies.

The chains are ranked by U.S. systemwide sales, so if you're in a decent-sized American city, you're likely to live near more than a few of these restaurants.

Coming in at No. 10 is Five Guys, the Virginia-based chain that's spreading like mustard across the nation, with $1.4 billion in U.S. systemwide sales in 2017.

It's followed by Carl's Jr., at No. 9 with $1.5 billion, and that eatery's sibling restaurant, Hardee's, at No. 8, with $2.2 billion.

Texas-based Whataburger comes in at No. 7, with $2.3 billion in sales, with California's Jack in the Box at No. 6 with $3.5 billion.

We all scream for ice cream at Dairy Queen, which scoops up the No. 5 spot with $3.6 billion, with Sonic Drive-In, famed for its icy drinks, landing at No. 4 with $4.4 billion in sales.

The top three are all burger-and-bun powerhouses. Wendy's takes the No. 3 spot with $9.3 billion in sales, followed by No. 2 Burger King with $9.6 billion.

And McDonald's is lovin' it at No. 1, devouring all the competitors with $37.6 billion in U.S. sales.

Wherever you live, there's almost sure to be at least one of these chains close enough that you can get dinner home before the fries cool off. But if you'd rather make your own burgers at home, check out this gallery of the 50 best burger recipes.