According to the latest Hurun Report released on December 15, 2025, McDonald's (MCD.US) tops the list as the world's most valuable restaurant brand with a valuation of 1.54 trillion yuan, also ranking first among chain restaurants. Starbucks (SBUX.US) follows in second place with a valuation of 645 billion yuan, leading the beverage service sector. UK-based Compass Group, dubbed the "unsung hero," ranks third at 410 billion yuan, dominating the event catering and group dining segment.
The total value of the 50 listed companies reaches 5.5 trillion yuan, equivalent to three times New Zealand's GDP. Among them, 38 are chain restaurants, nine are beverage service providers, and five specialize in event catering. Geographically, Asia and North America each contribute 22 companies, while Europe and Oceania account for seven and one, respectively.
The U.S. leads with 20 companies on the list, followed by China with 11, two of which—MIXUE GROUP (02097.HK) at 150 billion yuan and YUM CHINA (09987.HK) at 110 billion yuan—secure spots in the top 10. Notably, three of the four youngest companies (founded in the past decade) are Chinese: CHAGEE (2017), Luckin Coffee (2017), and Manner Coffee (2015).
The rankings are based on market capitalization (for listed firms, as of October 15, 2025) or estimated valuations (for private companies, benchmarked against peers or recent funding rounds). Companies are categorized under ISIC standards: chain restaurants, beverage services, and event catering. Entry thresholds are 12 billion yuan for the Top 50, 61 billion yuan for the Top 20, and 110 billion yuan for the Top 10.
Rupert Hoogewerf, Chairman and Chief Researcher of Hurun Report, highlighted dominant categories: burger chains (McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Shake Shack), pizza (Pizza Hut, Domino's), Mexican (Chipotle), Japanese (Sukiya, Sushiro, Marugame Seimen), Chinese (Panda Express, Haidilao (06862.HK), Xiaocaiyuan (00999.HK)), U.S. steakhouses (LongHorn, Texas Roadhouse), and UK pubs.
Chinese brands are making waves overseas. MIXUE GROUP operates over 4,700 international stores across 12 countries, including 2,600 in Indonesia. Haidilao (06862.HK) runs 100+ self-owned outlets in 14 countries. HeyTea has expanded to eight overseas markets, including Singapore and the UK, with 100+ stores—a sixfold annual growth. CHAGEE boasts 200+ international locations, adding 50+ in Q2 2025 alone. Chinese entrants average just 16 years old, versus 52 for non-Chinese firms, including two centenarians: UK’s Mitchells & Butlers and Whitbread.
The full "2025 Hurun Global Top 50 Most Valuable Restaurant Brands" list details these rankings.
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