Across coastal tides and city blocks, chains — whether ecological food webs or restaurant groups — reveal patterns that help scientists, students, and shoppers understand links and scale. Looking at those connections side by side makes it easier to spot who eats whom, which brands dominate regions, and where gaps or overlaps occur.
There are 35 Food Chains, ranging from Arctic Marine Chain,Wendy’s to show the span of ecosystems and brands; the list is organized with Type, Scope, Key stat (count / levels) so you can compare structure and size at a glance, and you’ll find below the full entries.
How were items chosen for this list?
Entries were selected to represent a broad cross-section—ecological chains, regional systems, and well-known commercial groups—based on available data and relevance. Priority was given to examples with clear information for the Type, Scope, and a comparable Key stat (count or levels) so comparisons are meaningful.
What’s the best way to use this list for research or planning?
Use the Type and Scope columns to filter by ecosystem or market, then compare the Key stat (count / levels) to rank complexity or size; for deeper work, follow linked sources or primary studies noted with each entry to verify details.
Food Chains
| Name | Type | Scope | Key stat (count / levels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Restaurant | HQ: Chicago, US; 100+ countries | 40,000 |
| Subway | Restaurant | HQ: Milford, US; 100+ countries | 37,000 |
| Starbucks | Restaurant | HQ: Seattle, US; 80+ countries | 36,000 |
| KFC | Restaurant | HQ: Louisville, US; 150+ countries | 25,000 |
| Burger King | Restaurant | HQ: Miami, US; 100+ countries | 18,000 |
| Pizza Hut | Restaurant | HQ: Plano, US; 100+ countries | 17,000 |
| Domino’s | Restaurant | HQ: Ann Arbor, US; 90+ countries | 19,000 |
| Taco Bell | Restaurant | HQ: Irvine, US; 30+ countries | 7,500 |
| Wendy’s | Restaurant | HQ: Dublin, US; 30+ countries | 6,900 |
| Dunkin’ | Restaurant | HQ: Canton, US; 40+ countries | 11,300 |
| Chick-fil-A | Restaurant | HQ: Atlanta, US; mainly US | 2,900 |
| Tim Hortons | Restaurant | HQ: Toronto, Canada; 10+ countries | 5,000 |
| Nando’s | Restaurant | HQ: Johannesburg, South Africa; global | 1,200 |
| Panera Bread | Restaurant | HQ: St. Louis, US; mainly US | 2,300 |
| Chipotle | Restaurant | HQ: Newport Beach, US; 5+ countries | 3,300 |
| Shake Shack | Restaurant | HQ: New York, US; 10+ countries | 450 |
| In-N-Out Burger | Restaurant | HQ: Irvine, US; West US regional | 380 |
| Five Guys | Restaurant | HQ: Lorton, US; 20+ countries | 1,700 |
| Jollibee | Restaurant | HQ: Pasig, Philippines; global | 1,500 |
| Dairy Queen | Restaurant | HQ: Minnesota, US; global | 4,500 |
| Baskin-Robbins | Restaurant | HQ: Canton, US; 50+ countries | 7,800 |
| Papa John’s | Restaurant | HQ: Louisville, US; 50+ countries | 5,000 |
| Krispy Kreme | Restaurant | HQ: Winston-Salem, US; 30+ countries | 1,200 |
| Pret A Manger | Restaurant | HQ: London, UK; 10+ countries | 500 |
| Sbarro | Restaurant | HQ: Melville, US; 20+ countries | 600 |
| Arctic Marine Chain | Ecological | Arctic coastal waters | 5 |
| Coral Reef Herbivore-Piscivore Chain | Ecological | Tropical coral reefs | 5 |
| Kelp Forest Chain | Ecological | Temperate coastal waters | 4 |
| Freshwater Pond Chain | Ecological | Ponds and small lakes | 5 |
| Grassland Savanna Chain | Ecological | Tropical savannas | 4 |
| Mangrove Estuary Chain | Ecological | Coastal mangrove zones | 5 |
| Hydrothermal Vent Chain | Ecological | Deep-sea vents | 4 |
| Temperate Forest Litter Chain | Ecological | Temperate forests | 4 |
| Open Ocean Pelagic Chain | Ecological | Open ocean/pelagic zones | 5 |
| Seagrass Meadow Chain | Ecological | Coastal seagrass beds | 4 |
Images and Descriptions
McDonald’s
Global fast-food giant known for burgers, fries and a recognizable golden arches brand. Founded in 1940 in California, McDonald’s operates tens of thousands of outlets worldwide and is notable for scale, franchising model, and standardized menus.
Subway
Global sandwich franchise founded in 1965 in Connecticut, known for customizable subs and a franchise-heavy expansion strategy. Subway grew rapidly to thousands of locations worldwide and is notable for local menu adaptations and affordability.
Starbucks
Coffeehouse chain founded in 1971, celebrated for espresso-based drinks, café culture and immersive retail design. Starbucks operates tens of thousands of stores globally and is notable for menu innovation, loyalty programs and complex supply-chain sourcing.
KFC
Fried-chicken specialist founded by Colonel Sanders in 1930, famous for its secret blend of herbs and spices. KFC has thousands of outlets worldwide and is notable for global localization and dominance in many emerging markets.
Burger King
Second-largest global burger chain founded in 1954, known for the Whopper and flame-grilled patties. Burger King operates thousands of franchised restaurants worldwide and is notable for regional menu differences and bold marketing campaigns.
Pizza Hut
International pizza chain founded in 1958, known for dine-in restaurants, delivery and a range of crust styles. Pizza Hut has thousands of global locations and is notable for family dining and extensive franchising.
Domino’s
Delivery-focused pizza brand founded in 1960, Domino’s grew by optimizing delivery logistics, technology and franchising. With thousands of stores worldwide, it is notable for online ordering platforms and rapid delivery systems.
Taco Bell
U.S.-founded quick-service Mexican-inspired chain known for tacos and bold flavor combinations. Taco Bell operates thousands of locations, notable for limited-time offers, late-night appeal and a strong youth-oriented brand.
Wendy’s
Founded in 1969, Wendy’s is known for square hamburgers, fresh beef and Frosty desserts. With thousands of restaurants mainly in North America, it is notable for brand personality, menu innovation and social-media presence.
Dunkin’
Coffee and donut chain founded in 1950, Dunkin’ focuses on beverages and quick breakfast items. Operating thousands of outlets globally, it is notable for regional menu items, franchising and strong U.S. market penetration.
Chick-fil-A
American chicken-specialty chain founded in 1946, famous for breaded chicken sandwiches and customer service. Chick-fil-A operates mainly in the U.S. with thousands of locations and is notable for drive-thru efficiency and being closed on Sundays.
Tim Hortons
Canadian coffee and fast-food chain founded in 1964, known for coffee and doughnuts. Tim Hortons operates thousands of outlets, primarily in Canada, and is notable for cultural significance and breakfast-oriented menu.
Nando’s
South African-origin peri-peri chicken chain founded in 1987, famous for flame-grilled spiced chicken and casual dining. Nando’s operates over a thousand locations internationally and is notable for its sauce varieties and regional flavor profiles.
Panera Bread
U.S. bakery-café chain founded in 1987, Panera emphasizes fresh-baked breads, sandwiches and soups in a relaxed café setting. With thousands of locations, it is notable for healthier menu options and a strong digital ordering system.
Chipotle
Fast-casual Mexican chain founded in 1993, Chipotle emphasizes customizable burritos and bowls using sourced ingredients. With thousands of restaurants, it is notable for its “food with integrity” ethos and streamlined assembly-line service.
Shake Shack
Modern burger-and-shakes chain founded in 2004, known for high-quality ingredients and community-focused stores. With several hundred locations worldwide, Shake Shack is notable for rapid growth, craft-oriented menu and urban storefronts.
In-N-Out Burger
Regional U.S. burger chain founded in 1948, famed for a simple menu, fresh ingredients and devoted following. With a few hundred locations concentrated in the Western U.S., it’s notable for quality control and a cult-like fanbase.
Five Guys
U.S.-founded burger chain from 1986 known for customizable burgers, hand-cut fries and casual interiors. With thousands of franchises globally, Five Guys is notable for simple menus, generous portions and rapid international expansion.
Jollibee
Philippine-origin fast-food giant founded in 1978, known for burgers, Filipino-style spaghetti and Chickenjoy. Jollibee operates over a thousand locations worldwide and is notable for diaspora-driven growth and strong popularity across Southeast Asia.
Dairy Queen
Ice-cream and fast-food chain founded in 1940, Dairy Queen is known for soft-serve Blizzards and quick-service grills. With several thousand global locations, DQ is notable for dessert focus and a mix of full-service and express restaurants.
Baskin-Robbins
International ice-cream chain founded in 1945, known for “31 flavors” and rotating seasonal offerings. With thousands of franchised shops worldwide, Baskin-Robbins is notable for flavor variety and strong global dessert presence.
Papa John’s
Pizza chain founded in 1984, Papa John’s emphasizes perceived ingredient quality and standardized delivery. Operating several thousand stores globally, it’s notable for garlic dipping sauce, franchising and marketing focused on real ingredients.
Krispy Kreme
Doughnut and coffee chain founded in 1937, Krispy Kreme is known for original glazed doughnuts and the warm-off-the-line experience. With over a thousand locations worldwide, it’s notable for nostalgia and retail-plus-production outlets.
Pret A Manger
London-origin fast-casual chain founded in 1986, Pret specializes in ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads and coffee for urban commuters. With several hundred locations globally, it’s notable for freshness, daily-made items and sustainability initiatives.
Sbarro
Mall- and food-court-centric pizza chain founded in 1956, Sbarro is known for New York-style slices and quick-service pizza. With several hundred international outlets, it is notable for historical mall dominance and quick, slice-based service.
Arctic Marine Chain
A cold-water linear chain: phytoplankton→zooplankton→fish→seals→polar bears. Common in Arctic seas, this five-level food chain is notable for seasonal productivity, climate vulnerability, and cultural importance to Indigenous northern communities.
Coral Reef Herbivore-Piscivore Chain
Typical reef sequence: symbiotic algae/algae→herbivorous fish→small predators→larger predators→sharks. This five-level chain in tropical reefs highlights symbiosis and biodiversity, and is vulnerable to bleaching, overfishing and coastal impacts.
Kelp Forest Chain
Kelp→sea urchins→sea otters→large predators such as sharks or orcas. Kelp forest chains span four main trophic steps, demonstrating strong top-down control by predators and how predator loss can lead to kelp collapse.
Freshwater Pond Chain
A typical pond chain runs phytoplankton→zooplankton→insect larvae→small fish→larger fish or birds. These five trophic levels illustrate seasonal productivity, nutrient cycling and importance for local biodiversity in freshwater systems.
Grassland Savanna Chain
Grasses→herbivores (antelopes, zebras)→mesopredators (jackals, hyenas)→apex predators (lions). Savanna chains often span four levels, showing grazing dynamics, migration effects and human influences such as hunting and land conversion.
Mangrove Estuary Chain
Mangrove detritus→detritivores/crabs→juvenile fish→predatory fish→birds/humans. Mangrove chains commonly have five trophic steps and act as vital nurseries for fisheries while being highly sensitive to coastal development and pollution.
Hydrothermal Vent Chain
Chemosynthetic bacteria→tube worms→predatory crustaceans→larger predators. Hydrothermal vent chains rely on chemical energy instead of sunlight and span roughly four trophic levels, supporting unique, endemic species adapted to extreme conditions.
Temperate Forest Litter Chain
Leaf litter and fungi→detritivores (worms, insects)→small predators (spiders)→mesopredators (foxes). Temperate forest chains emphasize decomposition-driven energy flow across four levels and underpin nutrient recycling and soil health.
Open Ocean Pelagic Chain
Phytoplankton→zooplankton→small pelagic fish→large predatory fish→apex predators such as sharks and toothed whales. Pelagic chains often span five levels and support major commercial fisheries across vast ocean regions.
Seagrass Meadow Chain
Seagrass→grazing fish and sea turtles→small predators→larger predators. Seagrass meadow chains typically encompass four trophic levels, important for carbon storage, coastal protection and serving as nurseries for juvenile fish.
