Introduction: A Large Market in Flux The U.S. fast food restaurant sector is a massive, mature market of over $400 billion in annual sales. After a volatile pandemic period, the industry has rebounded and continues to grow modestly. In 2022, Americans even spent more at restaurants than on groceries – a notable shift driven by higher food prices and pent-up demand. However, the fast food landscape is evolving under significant macro pressures. Consumers are increasingly healt