McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC may be the world’s biggest fast food chains, but they’re not the only ones – or even the best. From Australia to India (and from delicious dishes like Asian spaghetti to Saudi Arabian fried chicken), we've rounded up the best lesser-known fast food chains around the world that you might not have heard of, but should definitely keep an eye out for.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the world's most amazing bucket-list fast food chains, counting down to the best of them all.
We’ve based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each chain in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.
A prolific producer of sweets, snacks and frozen foods both nationally and internationally, Haldiram’s also has a chain of fast food restaurants that can be found across much of India. Haldiram's started life as a Rajasthan sweet shop back in 1937 – so naturally, there are lots of sugary treats like gulab jamun (fried dumplings in syrup) on offer. However, customers also love the savoury street food–style options, such as chilli paneer with noodles, and deep-fried panipuri snacks.
With a focus on fresh, raw and smoked fish, this German chain might not be for everyone – but if seafood is your thing, it’s the place to go. Nordsee launched back in 1896 as a fishery, has served meals since 1964, and today boasts almost 400 stores across Europe and the Middle East. Popular dishes include breaded fish fillet sandwiches, fresh shrimp skewers and fried calamari.
Decidedly old-school and no-frills, this small chain of fast food joints is a wildly popular fixture on Istanbul’s eating scene. The unlikely star of the show is kokoretsi, or – brace yourself – seasoned offal, which is cooked on a spit, then wrapped in lamb intestines. Here, it’s served in a sandwich, and you shouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Customers line up on the street to do so, and many sceptical tourists have been won over. This is also a great place to sample midye (stuffed mussels).
Peruvian burger chain Bembos has over 100 locations throughout its home country. It was founded in 1988 – and it became the first chain to open a fast food restaurant in the historic city of Cusco in 2007. Featuring tasty additions like chimichurri mayonnaise, chorizo and fried plantain, the restaurants’ charcoal-grilled burgers don’t shy away from local flavours. Like other Peruvian fast food spots, Bembos serves the pepper-based sauce ají on the side (perfect for dipping fries into).
Billing itself as an ethical fast food restaurant, this 100% vegan chain specialises in loaded fries, veggie burgers and hot dogs. Given the name, it’s no surprise that the fries menu is extensive; you can choose from classic, shoestring and sweet potato versions, plus condiments ranging from the obligatory tomato sauce and garlic aioli to Middle Eastern hummus and 'French Canadian' sauce (gravy topped with shredded vegan cheese). Having started in Melbourne, the chain can now be found in almost every Aussie state – and there are two spots in New Zealand, too.
Chili House brought chilli from the US to the Middle East in 1985. However, its story started 20 years before, when brothers from Jordan started the Gold House Chili chain in Cincinnati, Ohio – now one of the city’s most recognised chains. When one of the founders returned to Jordan, he took Cincinnati’s distinct chilli style with him, setting up a brand that has since expanded into other countries in the region. The menu features Cincinnati classics 3-way chilli (spaghetti, chilli and cheese) and 5-way chilli (spaghetti, chilli, beans, onions and cheese).
With locations throughout much of the country, Sr. Wok is Colombia’s number-one stop for Asian dishes like sushi, noodles and stir-fries. Not only does the joint claim a large chunk of the country’s fast food market share, but it also has a huge social media presence, cementing itself as a go-to takeaway, and one of the most popular places around for late-night eats. The food is indulgent, rather than authentic (think Kung Pao shrimp, barbecue ribs and Shanghai rice) – but regulars can't get enough.
Quick kick-started its fast food empire in Belgium in 1971, but has since expanded across France and into Morocco. In 2016, Burger King bought the chain with the intention of rebranding, but later sold the company to a US investment firm. Still, Quick remains a popular choice for food on the go, serving up everything from bacon-loaded burgers and fish sandwiches to spring roll–like Cheesy Rolls and tasty ridged wedges topped with Cheddar or spicy sauce.
Though it's ubiquitous in Japan today, Mister Donut was actually founded in the USA in 1956. In 1990, almost all of the chain's North American stores became Dunkin’ Donuts outlets, leaving the brand to live on in Asia and Nigeria. In Japan, Mister Donut set out to change people’s perception of the doughnut from childish treat to high-brow indulgence, offering an inventive range of sweet creations alongside savoury favourites like curry pies, made with 36 spices.
Bob’s was founded in 1952 by Brazilian American tennis champion Bob Falkenburg, four years after he won the men's singles title at Wimbledon. Although Falkenburg went on to sell the business, and sadly passed away in 2022, his name lives on in the almost 800 Bob’s restaurants still serving fast food fans in Brazil today. Bob’s brought American-style fast food to the country – and the chain is still beloved for its hamburgers, chicken burgers and fries. The milkshakes and ice creams are particularly popular, with flavours ranging from pistachio to Ovaltine.
Is it any surprise that Germany has a hugely successful pretzel chain? Boasting 200 shops, Ditsch is well established as one of the world’s leading producers of pretzel products. The brand’s story can be traced back to a small Mainz bakery in 1919 – but today you’ll find outlets all over Germany, serving fresh pretzels classic-style, loaded with ham and cheese, or buttered and topped with chives.
The largest homegrown fast food chain in Poland, Da Grasso has been serving great pizza since 1996. Using a franchise model, the company has grown to 200 locations across 140 cities in under 30 years, and it remains the ultimate destination for takeaway pizza in Poland. Customers particularly love the doughy crusts and the range of topping choices, some of which feature local flavours like smoked sausage and pickled cucumbers.
The most popular Chinese-style fast food chain in China, Home Original Chicken was launched back in 2003 by a chicken farmer looking for a new venture. Bucking the fried chicken trend, he won over customers with traditional chicken dishes and soups delivered in a fast, convenient way. As well as poultry, you can also get items like pork meatballs, hot and sour fish and steamed aubergine with chilli sauce.
Californian burger chain Original Tommy’s might claim that its burgers are ‘world-famous’ – but in truth, it’s unlikely that many people outside of the US state have heard of them. Within California and in neighbouring Nevada, however, it has 32 locations, not to mention hordes of die-hard fans. The history of Tommy’s stretches back to 1946, when founder Tom Koulax set up a small food stand selling burgers in Los Angeles. It soon began to expand, and today the eateries are loved for their classic burgers, chilli cheese dogs and, in many locations, 24-hour service.
Though it now also features a range of hamburgers and French fries, Sibylla started out serving Swedish classics back in 1932 (think grilled sausages, and meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberries). Since then, the chain has gone from sausage stand to national franchise, with over 150 restaurants and kiosks across the country. Swedes and tourists alike love the food, particularly the crispy crinkle-cut fries.
Famous both for its meat pies and for bringing Nigeria its first ever drive-thru restaurant, Mr Bigg’s has been the country’s go-to fast food chain since 1973. Though its monopoly on the market has waned in recent years thanks to the arrival of some fast food competitors, it's still beloved as a national icon. Favourite dishes include asun rice (rice with goat meat), spiced jollof rice, peppered chicken wings, wraps – and of course, an ever-popular range of scene-stealing meat pies.
The unique runza sandwiches on offer at Runza keep the residents of Nebraska coming back for more. Stuffed with minced beef, onions and cabbage (with additional fillings to choose from), these bready pockets date back to the 18th century, when Volga Germans brought their recipes to the States. Today they’re a fast food speciality, and the Runza chain boasts over 80 locations – not to mention a starring role in Nebraskan cultural identity.
Founded in Turku, Finland, Hesburger is a big deal in Eastern, Central and Northern Europe, where it has almost 500 locations. In fact, at one point it was the largest fast food chain in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with a bigger market share than McDonald’s. The chain largely focuses on burgers and fries, but it’s the mayonnaise that people really rave about. Flavours include paprika, cucumber, chilli and curry – or you can stick with the regular kind.
Lotteria has made a name for itself across East Asia thanks to its mouthwatering range of juicy, topping-laden burgers and tasty breakfast offerings. Set up by Korean entrepreneur Shin Kyuk-ho, the company first launched in Tokyo, Japan in 1972, before expanding through South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China and Myanmar. Customers return here again and again to get their hands on the popular Shrimp Burger, which has graced the menu since 1977.
We tend to think of American fast food restaurants as being huge conglomerates; however, for the people of Ohio, the ultimate burger joint is Swensons Drive-In, a chain with over 20 locations that dates all the way back to 1934 – that's six years before McDonald’s. It’s best known and loved for the Galley Boy, a double cheeseburger with two special sauces (barbecue sauce on the bottom bun, and tangy tartare sauce on the top), garnished with a signature green olive on a toothpick.
Fast food doesn’t have to be bad for you. That’s the philosophy of UK chain LEON, which serves what it calls ‘naturally fast food’. That said, the chain's menu still features a lineup of fast food classics, from burgers, fries and wraps to a selection of fresh rice boxes and salads (many of which are plant-based). Founded in 2004, the chain has grown to over 60 locations across the UK – and it has a few international outposts, too. Thanks to LEON's official cookbooks, anyone who can’t make it to one of the chain's sustainable restaurants can try their hand at recreating their favourite menu items at home.
If asked to guess one of the most popular cuisines in Brazil, you might not immediately think of Middle Eastern food – yet the likes of kibbeh (bulgur wheat and minced beef croquettes) and sfiha (flatbreads topped with spiced minced lamb) are huge favourites here. Enter Habib’s, a fast food chain started by a Brazilian with no personal Arab connection, which now has nearly 500 stores. Its classic menu item is the Beirut sandwich: a large pitta filled with sliced meat, a fried egg, pickles, salad and cheese.
Similar in appearance to bagels, simit are ring-shaped breads typically covered in sesame seeds. As the name might suggest, they're the number one product at Simit Sarayi, a Turkish bakery and fast food chain that started out as a simit shop back in 2002. These days, it sells products ranging from cheesy borek pastries to simit pizzas and simit burgers. Decidedly crowd pleasing, it’s spread to 22 countries, with a few stores in London and New York City.
A Canadian icon, Harvey’s has been serving up delicious flame-grilled burgers since its inception in 1959. Over six decades later, it’s still beloved, with almost 300 locations spread across the country. The brand’s signature burger has changed a handful of times over the years, and its current Angus burger has graced the menu for over a decade. The brand prides itself on using 100% Canadian beef, so you can expect the juiciest creations imaginable. Other popular items include a Buffalo chicken sandwich, classic poutine and cinnamon sugar doughnuts.
Kebab Turki Baba Rafi (or just Baba Rafi) might just be one of the biggest fast food chains you’ve never heard of. Founded in Indonesia, and with restaurants in Malaysia, the Philippines and Bangladesh, it has over 1,300 locations in total. The chain’s menu is a mash-up of traditional kebabs and more modern flavours and trends; popular choices include black kebabs (made with black flatbreads), spicy Korean chicken chijeu kebabs, and kebabs featuring the classic Malaysian dish nasi lemak (coconut rice and spicy sambal chilli sauce).
Albania has, for the most part, managed to resist the fast food conglomerate takeover; McDonald’s, Starbucks and Domino’s have yet to expand into the country, and KFC only entered the market in 2016. Instead, Albanians love Proper Pizza. Hugely popular with young people, the chain offers a selection of pizzas that range from the classic to the rather more obscure (ketchup base, cheeseburger sauce swirl, meatballs and iceberg lettuce, anyone?). Authentic Italian this is not, but it certainly is delicious.
Earning points for its delightful name alone, Abrakebabra has been keeping Ireland in plentiful supply of late-night kebabs and loaded fries since 1982. It’s credited with introducing the döner kebab to the Irish market, arguably making it a national hero. It's now beloved as the number one place to go for a fuss-free, sauce-laden kebab when cravings hit. The menu is meaty, with original döner, chicken shawarma and crispy chicken kebabs, plus hearty burgers and loaded baguettes – but there are a few vegetarian and vegan options, too. Want more on the side? The chain also offers falafel, hummus and loaded fries.
The country's largest restaurant chain, AlBaik holds legendary status in Saudi Arabia; the much-adored brand has been credited with popularising fried chicken in the Muslim world through its halal meat offering. The chain is famed for its 18-spice secret recipe, as well as for 'broasting' its meat – a technique that combines pressure cooking with deep frying. The result? Tender, wonderfully crispy chicken.
MAX Burgers opened its first burger bar in 1968, a full five years before McDonald’s arrived in Sweden. Despite the fact that the chain's fast food offerings are appealingly cheap, it also has some forward-thinking environmental policies – it even states the exact amount of carbon dioxide emitted per item on its menu, making it a good choice for the environmentally conscious. Crucially, of course, the food is also delicious; the burgers get rave reviews across social media, and they're incredibly popular among both Swedes and Norwegians.
Standing for ‘Mountain Ocean Sun’, MOS BURGER started in a small town near Tokyo called Narimasu – and it's now hugely popular throughout East Asia. Three stores were previously located in Australia, but their closure was announced in 2024. The chain aims to celebrate Japanese food culture through American hamburgers, enjoying particular success with its rice burgers, which feature buns made from a mix of rice, barley and millet. Particularly saucy, MOS burgers are best eaten still in the wrapper; those in the know suggest finishing the burger, then dipping your fries in the sauce left lingering behind.
Forget McDonald’s versus Burger King. In Argentina, the real fast food fight is between McDonald’s and Mostaza, a homegrown burger chain that’s been going strong since 1998. Though the company has a smaller market share than its American rival, it’s still the second-biggest fast food chain in the country. It's well loved, too; plenty of people on social media are outspoken in touting Mostaza’s burgers as being bigger, more original and better value than their McDonald's counterparts.
A strong contender for the oldest fast food chain in the world, Japanese brand Yoshinoya grew from a fish market restaurant that first opened its doors in 1899. Now multinational, with more than 1,200 locations in East and Southeast Asia and the United States, the chain is known for its gyūdon (beef bowls) and affordable prices. The restaurants in Japan are often counter style – and they offer both tea and menu changes (such as extra gravy) free of charge. In the summer months, unadon (eel bowls) are a popular seasonal alternative to beef.
Serving up grilled delights since 1986, Oporto is Australia’s answer to South African multinational chain Nando's. Specialising in Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken with spicy sauces, the brand began as a small chicken shop in North Bondi – and since then, it's spawned more than 100 eat-in and takeaway restaurants across Australia and New Zealand. Served in quarter, half or whole portions, the chicken comes basted with various flavours and is served with a choice of sauces, from mild lemon and herb to extreme picante. Popular sides include spicy rice, grilled corn, fries and Portuguese salad.
Famous for its Mighty Mac burger, Supermac’s is an Irish institution, established in 1978. In 2019, it beat McDonald’s in a trademark battle – McDonald's attempted to prevent the small startup from expanding into more markets due to similarities between the burger names Mighty Mac and Big Mac. As well as its burgers, Supermac’s is also loved for its chicken snack boxes, big subs and chunky loaded fries, with tasty toppings like curry and cheese.
Offering a menu that melds Filipino flavours with American influences, Jollibee is hugely successful – we're talking well over a thousand stores around the Philippines, and several hundred across the rest of the world. Despite this, and despite food that's widely considered to be absolutely delicious, it’s still relatively unknown in many countries. Flagship menu items include the Yumburger, peach and mango pie, a fried chicken meal called Chickenjoy, and Jolly Spaghetti: pasta loaded with a meaty sauce.
The largest pizza chain outside of the US, Telepizza is a Spanish franchise that's famous for its malted semolina crusts and tasty toppings. Since the first location opened in Madrid in 1987, the brand has gone on to open more than 1,300 restaurants across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Diners can expect an array of classic pizza options, from pepperoni to Hawaiian, though it’s the Las Brutales style – featuring two layers of pizza dough, with five cheeses between them – that keeps fans coming back for more.
The largest fried chicken fast food chain in the world that didn’t originate in the US, Chicken Licken is renowned for its hot wings, crispy chicken thighs and hot sauce. Back in the 1970s, it gained a loyal following by serving Black customers in their cars when apartheid restricted restaurant access – and it's still loved today. Fans of the joint say that the chicken here is more tender and well-spiced than anything the big American brands have to offer.
Now discover our ranking of the world's best burgers
Last updated by Laura Ellis.