en.Wedoany.com Reported - The TOP300 China Chain Catering Brands 2026 report, recently released by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, shows that China's catering chain rate has increased for six consecutive years, reaching 25% nationwide in 2025. Industry concentration is steadily rising, with the number of brands boasting over 10,000 stores continuing to grow. From leisure beverages and fast food to specialty snacks and marinated delicacies, leading chain enterprises with nationwide influence have emerged across various market segments.
By category, in 2025, the chain rate for the leisure beverage segment reached 54%, far exceeding the industry average and becoming the core driver of the overall industry's chain rate increase. In contrast, segments like snack fast food and hot pot experienced a short-term decline in their chain rates. In terms of store count, chain beverage enterprises lead significantly over other categories. This highlights the core characteristics of the beverage segment: high standardization, easily replicable supply chains, and significant brand spillover effects, making it naturally suited for chain expansion models and enabling rapid large-scale replication.
Data from the China Chain Store & Franchise Association shows that in 2025, the top three full-service restaurant brands each had over 800 stores, with the highest reaching 1,300; the top three hot pot/BBQ brands each had no fewer than 800 stores, with the highest reaching 1,363; the top three fast-food brands each had no fewer than 10,000 stores, with the highest reaching 18,467; the top three bakery/dessert brands each had over 900 stores, with the highest reaching 1,700; the top three leisure beverage brands each had no fewer than 18,000 stores, with the highest reaching 55,356; and the top three specialty snack brands each had over 11,000 stores, with the highest reaching 11,976.
Furthermore, the 2026 China Catering/New Tea Brands Going Global Top 50 list reveals that an increasing number of enterprises have accelerated their overseas expansion in recent years. Using food as a medium to tell China's story well, they are expanding their global market presence and enhancing brand influence. By the end of 2025, the total number of overseas operating stores for the 50 listed brands had reached 6,801, with 9 brands surpassing 100 overseas stores, demonstrating strong capabilities for large-scale global expansion. Leading overseas brands have completed their international brand upgrades, not only adopting dedicated English brand names but also designing English logos that balance brand identity with overseas recognition. This refined operational approach is becoming a key engine for brands to deepen their overseas presence and achieve long-term growth.
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