With more than 1.5 billion people and a median age under 20, Africa with a GDP of $2.8 trillion is fast becoming one of the most important growth markets for the global fast-food industry.
From Lagos to Nairobi, international quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains and homegrown brands alike are racing to feed a young, urbanizing population whose appetite for convenience, affordability, and brand-name meals is reshaping the continent’s food economy.
Driven by franchising models that enable rapid expansion and consistent branding, fast-food chains are now visible across major cities and secondary markets. Nigeria, with a population approaching 240 million, leads the charge, but Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are close behind, providing fertile ground for business growth.
This surge reflects more than just shifting eating habits. It’s a story of economic transformation, one where rising consumer demand, a youthful workforce, and digital food delivery are fueling the proliferation of Western-style fast food across Africa.
Below, we explore 10 of the largest restaurant chains tapping into the multi-trillon dollar African economy, and the socio-economic forces driving their expansion.
- Presence: 10+ countries
- Country: International (U.S.)
Burger King, the American multinational hamburger chain, is steadily expanding its footprint across Africa, now operating in at least eight countries. Originally founded in 1953 as Insta-Burger King in Jacksonville, Florida, the brand has evolved into one of the world’s most recognized fast-food franchises, headquartered in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
In Africa, Burger King launched in South Africa in 2013 and has since expanded to Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritius. Its Nigerian presence has grown rapidly, with 12 outlets in Lagos, one in Ibadan, and three in Abuja, making it the largest burger chain in the country, ahead of competitors like The Burger Place, Johnny Rockets, Steers, and Quick Shake.
