Burger Business

Americans Ordered 9 Billion Burgers in 2014

Beef — it's still what's for dinner.
Beef — it’s still what’s for dinner. Photo: Shutterstock

Despite several reasons to assume otherwise, American hamburgers and the associated, jacked-up price of beef patties had a terrific 2014. According to new market research from NPD Group, restaurants sold 9 billion burgers last year, or 30 million more than 2013. This happened despite the price of beef catapulting to record highs in the last 12 months, and a general slowdown of traffic through hamburger-centric fast-food chains compared to their industry peers. Somehow, grilled chicken sandwiches — the closest competitor, sales-figures-wise, to burgers — had the crummy year, with a “servings decline” of 9 percent. The beef industry should enjoy it while it lasts, though: It may only be January, but it’s clear that 2015 belongs to the fried-chicken-wrapped Double Down hot dog, even if it doesn’t come with a few obligatory slices of bacon.

[NPD Group]

Americans Ordered 9 Billion Burgers in 2014