Lexi Webster
Australia has a variety of fast-food options, ranging from international chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Subway to local favorites such as Red Rooster and Noodle Box. While some Australians enjoy the convenience and taste of fast food, others prefer independent restaurants or local shops for better quality and service. According to Roy Morgan Research, popular fast-food outlets in Australia include McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, and Domino's Pizza, with Millennials being the biggest customers of these chains. During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, the number of Australians aged 14+ who consumed takeaway food from fast-food outlets increased significantly, with many relying on food delivery services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Australians aged 14+ who ate fast food in 2020 | 75.3% (15.9 million) |
| Percentage of Australians aged 14+ who ate fast food in 2019 | 63.7% (13.3 million) |
| Average number of visits to fast food restaurants by Australians in 4 weeks | 4.8 |
| Top fast food restaurants in Australia | McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, Domino's Pizza |
| Fast food restaurants with over 1 million customers in Australia | Nando's, Grill'd, Guzman y Gomez, Pizza Hut |
| Fast food chains with better options in the US | Taco Bell, Domino's |
| Fast food chains with worse options in the US | Subway, McDonald's |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's vs Maccas
Australians seem to have a particular liking for fast food. In 2020, 15.9 million Australians aged 14+ (75.3%) consumed takeaway food from fast-food outlets such as McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, and Domino's Pizza. This was a notable increase from 2019, when 13.3 million (63.7%) of Australians aged 14+ consumed fast food.
McDonald's, also affectionately known as Maccas in Australia, is one of the country's favorite fast-food restaurants. With over 970 McDonald's restaurants across Australia and more than 100,000 employees, it is a prominent player in the Australian fast-food industry.
There are several differences between McDonald's in Australia, often called Maccas, and the McDonald's found in other parts of the world. Here is a comparison:
Maccas (Australia)
- The first McDonald's in Australia opened in the Sydney suburb of Yagoona in 1971.
- Australians have a habit of abbreviating Mac/Mc names, hence McDonald's becomes Maccas.
- The first McCafé in the world was launched in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993.
- Australian McDonald's adapts its menu to suit local tastes and flavours, resulting in unique Aussie exclusives.
- Australian beef is known for its quality, so the Big Macs and cheeseburgers may taste superior.
- Australian bread tends to be less sweet than American bread due to less added sugar.
- The portion sizes in Australia are smaller than in the US. For example, an American "small" size is bigger than Australia's "large."
- According to some Aussies, Maccas has better burgers but a worse breakfast than its US counterpart.
McDonald's (US)
- The first McDonald's was opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955 by Ray Kroc, who bought the rights to use the name and idea from the McDonald brothers.
- The US version has more variety in their fast-food chains than Australia.
- The fries in the US are crunchier and more salty than those in Australia.
- The drinks in the US are larger and not filled halfway with ice, as is common in Australia.
- The burgers in the US are described as "sloppy."
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KFC in Australia
KFC is one of the most popular fast-food restaurants in Australia, with over 6.8 million customers in 2020. It is especially popular among millennials, who are the biggest customer group for the chain.
KFC Australia has a large social media presence, with over 210,000 followers on Instagram.
Some people believe that KFC in Australia is of worse quality than in other countries. One reason could be that the chicken is rushed and made more casually by younger staff. However, others believe that the Australian version has better original recipes with the same taste but better consistency of coating. The Zinger, Wicked Wings, and Hot and Crispy options are also considered good. The chips in Australian KFCs are considered far superior to those in other countries.
KFC Australia also offers unique items such as the Nacho Twister and the Original Twister.
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Local vs chain
Australia has a variety of both local and international fast-food chains. Local fast-food chains include Red Rooster, Oporto, El Jannah, Bakers Delight, Guzman y Gomez, and Grill'd. International chains with a presence in Australia include McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Starbucks, and Domino's.
Local fast-food chains in Australia offer unique options that cater to local tastes and preferences. For example, Red Rooster is known for its pineapple fritters, while Oporto serves ham and cheese croissants. El Jannah, a Lebanese fast-food chain, offers garlic sauce as a signature item. Bakers Delight is a bakery chain that provides fast food pastries. Guzman y Gomez is an Australian-owned Mexican fast-food outlet, and Grill'd is an Australian-owned gourmet burger chain.
On the other hand, international fast-food chains in Australia provide globally recognised menus with some local adaptations. McDonald's, also known as "Maccas" in Australia, has been reported to have blander burgers compared to its international counterparts, due to Australia's laws around food production that prohibit the use of certain ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. KFC, another popular international chain in Australia, has been described as slightly inferior to its US counterpart in terms of taste, but with a better coating consistency for its fried chicken.
Some people may prefer local fast-food chains for their unique offerings and ability to cater to local tastes. Local chains can also provide a sense of authenticity and support for local businesses. However, international chains offer familiarity, consistency, and the convenience of readily available options worldwide.
In terms of popularity, it is worth noting that McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's (the Australian version of Burger King), and Domino's Pizza are among the top choices for Australians, according to Roy Morgan Research. These international chains have a strong presence and brand recognition in the country. However, local chains like Nando's, Guzman y Gomez, and Grill'd are also gaining traction, with a significant number of customers choosing them as their preferred quick-service restaurants.
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American fast food
Australia has a large market for American fast food, with several American fast-food chains having outlets in the country. According to Roy Morgan Research, McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, and Domino's Pizza are among Australia's favorite restaurants. In 2020, 15.9 million Australians aged 14+ ate take-away food from fast-food outlets, with McDonald's leading the market with over 8.1 million customers, followed by KFC with 6.8 million, Hungry Jack's with 4.2 million, and Domino's Pizza with 4.1 million. Millennials are the biggest customers of these fast-food outlets, followed by Generation Z.
Subway, another American fast-food chain, was ranked the most popular fast-food restaurant in Australia in 2017, with over 1,413 outlets. Other American fast-food chains in Australia include Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Taco Bell. Some American fast-food chains, like In-N-Out and Popeyes, have also held semi-regular pop-ups in Australia.
While American fast food is popular in Australia, some Australians seek out unique or regional fast-food options. Some popular regional fast-food chains include Oporto, Bakers Delight, Nando's, and Guzman y Gomez.
Compared to American counterparts, Australian McDonald's is considered blander and of lower quality, with saltier, crunchier fries and smaller drinks. Hungry Jack's is said to have inferior nuggets, while KFC is considered slightly inferior. However, Domino's is considered better and cheaper in Australia than in the US.
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Millennial favourites
Millennials, born between 1976 and 1990, are the biggest customers of fast food in Australia. The top three fast-food outlets in Australia are McDonald's, KFC, and Hungry Jack's, with nearly 2.5 million, over 2.1 million, and 1.3 million Millennial customers in an average four weeks, respectively.
McDonald's has maintained its market-leading position in Australia, with over 8.1 million customers during 2020, followed by KFC with 6.8 million. Hungry Jack's and Domino's Pizza each have over four million customers, accounting for about 20% of Australia's population.
While McDonald's, KFC, and Hungry Jack's dominate the market, other fast-food outlets in Australia have gained popularity. These include Subway, which is known for tasting fresher, and the Australian-owned gourmet burger outlet Grill'd, which has over one million customers. Mexican-themed food has also seen a surge in popularity, with outlets like Guzman y Gomez attracting over one million customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular fast-food restaurants in Australia include McDonald's (known as Maccas), KFC, Hungry Jack's (Burger King), Domino's Pizza, Subway, Red Rooster, and Eljannah's.
Some people argue that Australian fast food is better than in other countries, especially the US, due to its perceived higher quality and access to fresh ingredients. However, others claim that American fast food has more variety and that Australian options are slower and more expensive.
Yes, Australia has some unique fast-food options, such as the Philippine-based Jollibee, which offers a Southeast Asian twist on typical McDonald's fare. Other Australian-owned options include Oporto's, Bakers Delight, and Schnitz.
Australians have varying preferences when it comes to fast food. While some enjoy the convenience and taste of popular fast-food chains, others prefer local options like fish and chip shops or independent burger joints. Millennials tend to be the biggest customers of fast food, with Generation Z and older generations showing slightly less interest.
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