Restaurant chains eye rapid growth

Country's catering industry experiencing acceleration in franchised development

The country's catering sector is experiencing sustained acceleration in chain store development, driven by market consolidation and operational quality upgrades, according to the 2026 White Paper on the Development of Restaurant Chains in China released by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association and Meituan.

The report shows that the percentage of restaurants in the country that are part of a chain rose from 21 percent in 2023 to 25 percent in 2025, an average annual increase of 2 percent. This growth highlights the sector's resilience in adapting to evolving consumer preferences and operational challenges. Across segments — including beverages, fast foods, snacks and marinated flavors — leading chain enterprises with national influence have emerged in every category.