10 Most Profitable Fast Food Items

Fast food restaurant profit margins vary significantly, typically ranging from 5-8% but sometimes reaching as high as 20%. While many factors can increase the profitability of a quick service establishment, building a lucrative menu is one of the most important. If you’re seeking guidance on what to serve, this list of the 10 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 a special seasoning or offering a unique variation like curly fries are also effective ways to make your fries more enticing for customers and thus more lucrative for you.

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. 

Breakfast

According to Mashed.com, 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.

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.

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 aso 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

Research shows that online customers are very profitable for fast food restaurants: they not only spend 20% more money but also come back 6% more frequently. If you don’t already have an online ordering system, consider that the ease and convenience for customers, coupled with the reduced staffing needs for your business, can make your existing menu even more lucrative.