Ranked: Every US Chain in Japan by Number of Locations
Last updated September 2026
McDonald's leads every other US chain in Japan by nearly 1,000 locations - but the full ranking has some real surprises, including a dessert brand most people have never heard of sitting above Denny's and Pizza Hut. Every number below is sourced to a specific, dated figure (see the complete list for full context on each chain, including which ones are growing, shrinking, or barely holding on).
| # | Chain | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McDonald's | ~3,025 |
| 2 | Starbucks | ~2,120 |
| 3 | KFC | 1,277 |
| 4 | Baskin Robbins | ~1,200 |
| 5 | Domino's | ~800-830 |
| 6 | Pizza Hut | 515 |
| 7 | Denny's | 316 |
| 8 | Subway | 215 |
| 9 | Burger King | ~130-150 |
| 10 | Krispy Kreme | ~90 |
| 11 | Wendy's First Kitchen | 75 |
| 12 | A&W (Okinawa only) | 27 |
| 13 | Shake Shack | 11+ |
| 14 | Taco Bell | 10 |
| 15 | Panda Express | 9 |
| 15 | Outback Steakhouse | 9 |
| 17 | Hard Rock Cafe | ~6 |
| 18 | Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. | 3 |
| 19 | Cold Stone Creamery | 2 |
| 19 | Shakey's Pizza | 2 |
| 21 | Hooters | 1 |
Not ranked: Carl's Jr. and Cinnabon both have confirmed Japan locations but no reliable published total. Popeyes has 5 locations, all military-base-only and excluded from a public ranking. Full detail on all of these is on the complete list page.
Three Things This Ranking Gets Right That Most Lists Miss
Baskin Robbins outranks Denny's and Pizza Hut
At approximately 1,200 locations, Baskin Robbins ("31 Ice Cream" in Japan) is the fourth-largest US chain in the country by store count - bigger than Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Denny's combined footprint in most people's mental model of American fast food in Japan. It's been quietly building this footprint since 1973 with almost no US media attention.
The gap between #1 and #2 is nearly 1,000 stores
McDonald's isn't just ahead of Starbucks - it's ahead by roughly 900 locations, a bigger gap than Starbucks' entire lead over third-place KFC. No other US chain in Japan comes remotely close to McDonald's density.
Several chains near the bottom are actively disappearing
Domino's, Subway, Cold Stone Creamery, and Hooters have all lost significant ground in Japan in just the past two years - a reminder that "in Japan" doesn't mean "thriving in Japan." See the complete list for the full story behind each decline.
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Search near my location →Frequently Asked Questions
Which US chain has the most locations in Japan?
McDonald's has the most locations of any US chain in Japan, with approximately 3,025 restaurants as of the end of 2025 - nearly 1,000 more than the second-largest, Starbucks, at approximately 2,120 locations.
How many McDonald's locations are in Japan?
McDonald's operates approximately 3,025 locations in Japan as of the end of 2025, making it the country's third-largest McDonald's market globally after the United States and China.
How many Starbucks locations are in Japan?
Starbucks operates approximately 2,105 to 2,135 locations in Japan as of late 2025 and 2026, making Japan the largest Starbucks market outside the United States and China.
How many KFC locations are in Japan?
KFC operates 1,277 locations in Japan as of March 2025, per Verdict Food Service, with a company target of 1,700 locations by fiscal 2030.
What is the smallest US chain still operating in Japan?
Hooters has the smallest confirmed footprint of any operating US chain in Japan, with a single remaining location in Ginza, Tokyo, after the chain's 2019 bankruptcy closed the rest of its Japan locations. Popeyes technically has 5 locations, but all are on US military bases and inaccessible to the general public.
More Chain Guides
Complete List of US Chains • McDonald's • Starbucks • KFC • Domino's • Subway • Chains Not in Japan