Hamburger Market By Type (Chicken, Cheese, Beef, Pork, Vegetarian, Lamb, Others), By based on Gluten (Gluten Containing, Gluten Free), By Distribution Channel (Fast Food Chains, Supermarkets & Grocery Stores, Food Delivery Services, Street Food Vendors & Food Trucks), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Hamburger market accounted for USD 82.6 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 150.4 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 5.6% between 2025 and 2035.  The hamburger market is about the production, sale, and consumption of burgers. Trends include gourmet burgers, plant-based offerings, and sustainable sourcing as these goals resonate with an ever-changing consumer expectation for convenience, quality, and being ethically right. It ranges from fast-food chains such as McDonald's, and Burger King, independent restaurants, to food trucks, and many other businesses.

It has also continued to grow globally as the demand for quick, cheap, and convenient meal options increases. Consumers have become more health conscious and have begun to demand higher quality ingredients and more ethical food choices, changing the burger market. Food trends, consumer preferences, and the interest in sustainability also show the growing hamburger market. It also owns a gigantic supply chain that relates to meat processing and packaging, distribution, and marketing. There is stiff competition from other companies, which are always innovating to capture the marketplace.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

• The Rising Popularity of Premium and Gourmet Burgers, Reflecting a Shift Toward High-Quality Dining

Growing demand for premium and gourmet burgers is observed as the change in consumer preference toward more high-quality, unique dining experiences. Increased consumer acceptance of selling prices for burgers comprising truffle oil, wagyu beef, or plant-based alternatives has also been noticed by premium burgers manufacturers. Consumers want healthier and more indulgent options a 2023 report by the US.

According to the National Restaurant Association, near 60% of consumers say they would like to try new or innovative varieties of burgers. The trend also falls in with the rising trend for food personalization and experimenting culinary behaviors, especially younger, more affluent customers. Premium burger chains are also exploiting this demand, offering high-end menus and exclusive offerings. Others in regions have also driven the premium food industry through support and promotion of local producers as well as environmental conservation efforts. This continues to fuel demand for gourmet products.

• The Growing Demand for Convenient Food and How Busy Lifestyles and Government Policies Drive the QSR Sector

Primarily propelling the rise and demand for quicker, more convenient food is the hectic lifestyles of consumers, primarily millennials and Gen Z. Government support with policies has also contributed to accelerating this market by helping the QSR sector to grow and flourish.

For instance, the National Restaurant Association reports in the U.S. that the QSR market is steadily growing year-on-year, with the long-run trend being spurred by the pursuit of convenience and speed on the part of consumers. A 2022 report showed that 50% of millennials and 45% of Gen Z consumers want their food orders online or through applications due to their busy lives.

Furthermore, urbanization and infrastructure development policies have facilitated the setup of high-access locations of fast-food chains in areas of big cities for time-bound customers. Such trends together with the government support for business expansion made hamburgers and other quick-service foods popular among consumers seeking convenience.

• Restraint on Growth Health and Nutritional Concerns Limiting Hamburger Consumption

Health and nutritional issues are a major inhibition on hamburger consumption, as increased awareness related to the risks associated with red meat and processed foods influences consumer buying behavior. Governments all over the world have promoted public health programs to minimize unhealthy food consumption.

It was indicated by the World Health Organization in 2020 that over 50% of all adults globally were advised to reduce their intake of processed meat since it causes cancers and heart disease. In addition, in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that lifestyle diseases have become common, hence making health-conscious consumers especially millennials opt for hamburger alternatives to high-fat, sodium foods.

Some governments have consequently put taxes on sugary and processed foods as ways of curbing their consumption, which necessarily batters hamburger sales further. Health issues and regulations are therefore reorienting demand towards healthy food products, an issue that now bites the traditional hamburger market.

• Opportunity for Growth Plant-Based and Meatless Burgers Capitalizing on Consumer Demand

The surging popularity of plant-based and meatless burgers forms a huge business opportunity for fast-food brands wishing to target the broad market of vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians. Governments also increasingly support a shift toward sustainable and plant-based food options. For example, the European Union's Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategy are targeted at reducing meat consumption and giving impetus to plant-based alternatives.

In the U.S., sales of plant-based foods grew 6.6 percent to $8 billion, compared with the previous year, according to the 2022 report by the Good Food Institute (GFI) and the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) in some countries, especially the UK governments have policies that reduce the carbon footprint of food production. thus, further pushing for plant-based innovation. With the look for healthier and more sustainable products by consumers, the opportunities for brands to offer plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives come to the fore.

• Expanding Growth Innovative Meal Formats and Consumer Demand for Variety in the Fast-Food Industry

Innovative meal formats such as slider packs, hybrid meals, burger-pizza combos, and breakfast burgers would be a very lucrative point of entry for fast-food brands to reach various customer segments. Governments increasingly include policies that help to strengthen the growth of the food service sector, like the promotion of product innovation and entrepreneurship.

Government-driven initiatives to promote small business growth and to support food innovation have allowed smaller outlets to innovate through new formats. The trend is that consumers are now after more flexible and exciting meal experiences. Brands can thus take advantage of this trend by providing creative and hybrid meal options that sound exciting.

Also, the emergence of online food delivery platforms has made it easier for brands to test new formats and reach a wider audience further expanding the market possible to be reached. This is yet another drive for innovation, as the shifting consumer expectations in terms of variety continuously impose demands for newness and innovation in menu options.

Industry Experts Opinion

"Our technology goes beyond modernizing visual communication; it's about creating an atmosphere that customers love and remember."

• Bobby Marhamat, CEO of Raydiant.

"As a brand known for exceptional pizzas, venturing into the burger business is an exciting first for us," 

• Lindsay Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut.

Segment Analysis

Based on product type, the Hamburger market is segmented into Chicken, Cheese, Beef, Pork, Vegetarian, Lamb, and other specialty burgers. Beef remains the leading segment due to its strong consumer preference and widespread popularity in traditional burger offerings.

Based on gluten content, the Hamburger market is divided into Gluten-Containing and Gluten-Free options. The rise in demand for gluten-free alternatives reflects growing consumer awareness and dietary preferences, with many brands offering gluten-free buns and ingredients.

Regional Analysis

North America, particularly the United States, remains the hamburger's largest market. The burger is deeply embedded in American food culture dominated by chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's. Chains and casual dining restaurants contribute to essential motorists, and hamburgers are frequently purchased as convenience food. Consumer preferences are becoming more diversified as more demand for premium, gourmet, and plant-based burgers. Steady growth in fast-casual chains and high consumer spending power also fuel the market. The size of the U.S. market is supported by domestic as well as international brands catering to a wide taste.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest growing hamburger market due to rapid urbanization and increased disposable incomes, with large influences from Western fast food. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea see a rise in the demand for burgers, with significant growth in local and foreign fast-food companies. The demand is being driven by younger consumers across millennials and Gen Z looking for quick, affordable meals. Rising demand for Western dining options and regionalized burger offerings tailored to local tastes in this respect is a driving factor behind consumption. Asia-Pacific's hamburger market will see its growth prospects at an aggressive rate for the future.

Competitive Landscape

The key players in the competitive landscape of the global hamburger market include McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Five Guys. These players invest their substantial market share significantly into the innovation of menu items and remain large holders of market shares. In the case of McDonald's, it is focusing on healthier, premium, and plant-based burgers that will serve changing consumer preferences.

Shake Shack and In-N-Out Burger are milking the increasingly growing demand for gourmet and fast-casual dining. In addition, growing digital and delivery service adoption is also tailoring the competitive environment as chains partner up with platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash to reach consumers better. Altogether, these changes indicate the industry's flexibility to accommodate the changing needs of consumers and technological advancements.

Hamburger Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In May 2024, Pizza Hut introduces the Cheeseburger Melt, a bun-free burger with a parmesan-crusted thin crust. Filled with beef, bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar, and served with Burger Sauce, this portable, crispy, and cheesy creation redefines the classic cheeseburger experience.
• In April 2024, Raydiant partnered with Nation's Giant Hamburgers, a leading San Francisco chain, to enhance the dining experience with modern technology, aiming to improve customer engagement and streamline operations.
• In December 2023, Good Burger, a Spanish restaurant chain, launched two limited-edition hamburgers. The Raclette and the Truffle, offering unique flavors to attract gourmet burger enthusiasts.

Report Coverage:

By Type

• Chicken
• Cheese
• Beef
• Pork
• Vegetarian
• Lamb
• Others

By based on Gluten

• Gluten Containing
• Gluten Free

By Distribution Channel

• Fast Food Chains
• Supermarkets & Grocery Stores
• Food Delivery Services
• Street Food Vendors & Food Trucks

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• McDonald's
• Burger King
• Wendy's
• KFC
• Jack in the Box
• Five Guys
• In-N-Out Burger
• Shake Shack
• Carl's Jr.
• Hardee's
• A&W Restaurants
• Whataburger
• Culver's
• MOS Burger
• Habit Burger Grill

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)