15 Most Profitable Fast Food Items

With fast food restaurants’ profit margins averaging 5-8% but sometimes reaching 20%, it’s clear there are many factors affecting their money-making potential. Even though things like location selection and operational efficiency are important, menu development is often key to long-term business success. If you’re seeking guidance on what to serve, this list of the 15 most profitable fast food items will help you select the best options to boost your money-making potential.

Fountain Drinks

Given that fountain soda usually has a 1,125% markup, it should be no surprise that fountain drinks are some of the most profitable fast food items. Be sure to maximize your money-making potential with tiered pricing by offering multiple sizes at different price points. If given the option, most customers will order a larger, more expensive size, increasing your earnings from the sale.

French Fries

Low costs and high demand make French fries a great money-making item for quick service restaurants. Even though implementing tiered pricing is a good way to make this simple side more profitable, using special seasoning such as garlic salt or offering unique variations like curly fries are also effective ways to make your fries more enticing for customers and thus more lucrative for you.

Sides or Appetizers

In addition to French fries, there’s a reason why onion rings, cheese sticks and other sides are on so many fast food menus—they’re extremely lucrative. Often purchased frozen and in bulk, these items help reduce prep time and food costs while helping to keep customers satisfied. Plus, they pair perfectly with sandwiches and drinks to form fast food combo meals that raise the total ticket price and boost overall revenue.

Burgers

Inexpensive ingredients, quick preparation and high demand make burgers some of the most profitable fast food items. In fact, BusinessDojo.com reports that the monthly revenue for a burger restaurant is usually quite high, about $5,000 to $15,000. If you want to maximize your money-making potential, focus on flavor and quality: customers will happily pay a higher markup for a premium hamburger. 

Chicken Sandwiches

Chicken sandwiches are another one of the most profitable fast food items. Whether served on a hamburger bun for lunch or in a biscuit at breakfast, pre-breaded or frozen patties are quick to prepare, reducing labor costs. Considering the ongoing “chicken sandwich wars” in which quick-service restaurants try to outdo each other with creative recipes and innovative marketing, customer demand for your version is likely to be strong.

Breakfast

According to food trends website Mashed, breakfast sales now make up a large portion of fast food restaurant revenue. Busy people go to quick service restaurants to grab a quick bite on their way to work or school, so make sure you have a breakfast menu to capitalize on this demand. Handheld foods like egg burritos, biscuit sandwiches and waffle sticks are perfect for on-the-go customers, so be sure to charge for the convenience you’re providing.

Coffee & Tea

Considering that coffee and tea rank among the most profitable coffee shop items, quick service establishments should put brewed beverages on their menus, too. Many customers will just want to order one of these drinks to go, so train your staff to ask them if they’d like something to eat as well: you’d be surprised how the power of suggestion can lead to increased sales.

Pizza

Relatively inexpensive ingredients coupled with extremely high demand makes pizza incredibly lucrative. Although most pizzerias are sit-down or take-out establishments, fast food restaurants can compete by offering speed and convenience. Also, be sure to buy ingredients in bulk and streamline the production process to make selling pizzas even more profitable.

Pasta

While not typically associated with the quick-service business model, pasta dishes can be surprisingly profitable. Dry pasta is inexpensive and familiar favorites like spaghetti and meatballs or mac and cheese have high perceived value, allowing for generous markups. Although heavy, saucy items like meat lasagna or baked ziti may not be ideal for drive-thru service, they retain heat well in foil take-out containers—perfect for delivery or pickup.

Meatless

Demand for vegan and vegetarian options at fast food restaurants is increasing, so make sure to take advantage of this money-making opportunity by putting plant-based options like veggie burgers and falafel wraps on your menu. Meat-free menu items are still a bit of a novelty, so you can charge a bit higher markup on these options to increase your profitability.

Salads

If you want to boost profits while appealing to health-conscious customers, put salads on your menu. While lettuce and other vegetables are relatively inexpensive, the real money-making potential lies in the fact that diners are often willing to pay a premium for healthy options. To maximize revenue, be sure to charge more for additions like grilled chicken, creamy avocado, toasted nuts or dried fruit—customers will pay even more for lean protein or gourmet extras.

Ice Cream

From cones and sundaes to shakes and mixers, ice cream is one of the most profitable fast food menu items. Demand is always high, so you can get away with charging a higher markup even though soft serve machines use low-cost mixes and quick-serve technology that keep food and labor costs low. If you offer toppings like hot fudge or colorful sprinkles, charge more for them since upselling is one of the easiest ways for a restaurant to make more money.

Seasonal Items

Offering seasonal items is one of the best ways to increase fast food sales. Since items like eggnog shakes or red, white and blue berry smoothies are only on your menu for a limited time, people feel a sense of urgency to visit your restaurant and give them a try. The specialness of limited-time options also warrants a higher price, so as always, charge accordingly.

Add-Ons or Substitutions

Charging more for additional ingredients is one of the most effective ways to develop money-making menu items. So, if a customer adds cheese to a burger, guacamole to a taco or pepperoni to a pizza, raise the price accordingly. You can also increase your money-making potential by charging a small fee for substitutions, such as when someone wants onion rings instead of fries as part of their combo meal. 

Online Orders

Fast food industry research cited in a USA Today article reveals that online customers are especially profitable for fast food restaurants because they not only spend 20% more money but also come back 6% more frequently, leading to significant, long-term revenue. If you don’t have an online ordering system, consider developing one. The ease and convenience for customers, combined with reduced staffing needs, can make your existing menu even more lucrative.

Most Profitable Fast Food Items FAQs

For a deeper dive into the “how” and “why” behind profitable items at quick-service restaurants, here are answers to a few commonly asked questions:

Why Are Fountain Drinks So Profitable?

According to beverage wholesaler and distributor Bernick’s, fountain drinks offer high profit margins thanks to syrup concentrates, which cost significantly less than bottled or canned beverages. In fact, fountain machines can reduce beverage costs by up to 50%, explaining their widespread use in fast food restaurants.

What’s the Profitability of Burger Restaurants?

Burger joints have an average net profit margin of 20-40%, well above that of most other restaurants. Considering that they sell an inexpensive product that customers love, there’s a reason why burger spots are the quintessential fast food restaurant.

What Are the Least Profitable Fast Food Menu Items?

Although it varies by restaurant, the least profitable fast food items are generally those with lower sales volume, such as pork and fish sandwiches. Value menu items also tend to have lower profit margins due to the lower price point, but a strong marketing plan to increase sales volume can help balance this out.

What’s the Key to a Profitable Fast Food Restaurant?

While overall profitability depends on many factors, offering items with good margins like fountain drinks and strong demand such as burgers are the keys to success. It’s also important to remember why diners choose “fast” food, so be sure to serve customers quickly and efficiently to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat visits.