{"id":2605,"date":"2026-03-10T14:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T14:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2605"},"modified":"2026-03-10T14:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T14:58:29","slug":"the-biggest-fast-food-chain-in-the-world-youve-never-heard-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2605","title":{"rendered":"The Biggest Fast Food Chain In The World You&#8217;ve Never Heard Of"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-journey-body=\"standard-article\">\n<div class=\"css-hl6xtf e1wzc3k51\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/clock-regular.4ddebeb.svg\" alt=\"Estimated read time\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><span class=\"css-1rzbsk9 e1wzc3k50\">2 min read<\/span><\/div>\n<ul data-node-id=\"0\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"0.0\">The largest fast-food chain in the world isn\u2019t an American hotspot like McDonald\u2019s, Burger King, or Taco Bell.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.1\">Mixue Ice Cream &amp; Tea, headquartered in China, has more locations than any other chain in the world, with more than 45,000 outposts.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.2\">The brand is known for affordable soft-serve ice cream, teas, and other beverages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-18pb4rg emevuu60\"\/>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"2\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">While titans like McDonald\u2019s, Burger King, and Taco Bell are household names across the country, surprisingly, none of them happen to be the biggest and baddest among fast food legends. The king of them all? Probably one you\u2019ve never even heard of! Mixue Ice Cream &amp; Tea\u2014as it\u2019s known in America\u2014headquartered in Zhengzhou, China, has more locations than any other fast-food chain in the world. With more than 45,000 outposts, the bubble tea and ice cream shop outnumbers both McDonald\u2019s and Starbucks in terms of the number of locations. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">If its Chinese name, Mixue Bingcheng (which translates to honey snow ice city), doesn\u2019t ring a bell, get ready for a frosty introduction. The beloved brand is known for soft-serve ice cream cones starting at just $1.19 and for teas and other beverages starting at $1.99. Its affordability is one of the biggest drivers of its mass appeal. Nothing on the menu exceeds $4.99, unless you opt for add-ins like coconut jelly, taro balls, or pudding, which only add a 49-cent surcharge.<\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-17\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"embed\">\n<div size=\"medium\" data-embed=\"body-image\" class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-y6m8k e1fodxfw4\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\">\n<div class=\"css-p7qblm e1mlxuuw0\"><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"fd mixue\" title=\"fd-mixue\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1120w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1400w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1800w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-taro-ball-milk-tea-on-a-table-outside-a-mixue-on-the-news-photo-1772828769.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.134xw,0&amp;resize=980:*\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/social\/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"auto\" width=\"auto\" alt=\"pinterest\" class=\"css-4lml0h e1mlxuuw1\"\/><\/div>\n<p><figcaption data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-figcaption\" class=\"css-1am3yn9 e1g9hcy40\"><span data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\" class=\"css-l4pefh e1geg53v2\">The Washington Post<\/span><span class=\"css-y5vk1n e1geg53v0\">\/\/<\/span><span class=\"css-l4pefh e1geg53v1\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"5\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Mixue is primarily found across parts of Asia, with a large footprint in countries such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; however, the chain has recently expanded to the United States. Currently, there are only four locations in the U.S., three in New York City and one in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"watch-next\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-18\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"embed\"\/>\n<section data-embed=\"editorial-link\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-19\" data-node-id=\"7\" class=\"embed\">\n<aside class=\"css-1fm2v8u e94w1mj12\">\n<h6 class=\"css-1xumt3f e94w1mj10\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-before\" class=\"css-0 e68yk9k0\"\/><span class=\"css-8lle59 e94w1mj8\">Related Story<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-theme-key=\"title-design-element-after\" class=\"css-0 e68yk9k1\"\/><\/h6>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">There are a handful of reasons for Mixue\u2019s success\u2014first, it offers a small menu selection with only drinks and ice cream, and second, its brick-and-mortar locations are small. These small locales cut costs and also allow Mixue to have more locations, many in busy, prominent areas. All of this means minimal labor requirements and little equipment. <\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-20\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"embed\">\n<div size=\"medium\" data-embed=\"body-image\" class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-y6m8k e1fodxfw4\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\">\n<div class=\"css-p7qblm e1mlxuuw0\"><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"mixue ice cream &amp; tea in hong kong\" title=\"Mixue Ice Cream &amp;amp; Tea in Hong Kong\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4793\" height=\"3195\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1120w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1400w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 1800w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=980:* 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/mixue-ice-cream-tea-in-hong-kong-royalty-free-image-1772828678.pjpeg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.160xw,0&amp;resize=980:*\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delish.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/social\/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"auto\" width=\"auto\" alt=\"pinterest\" class=\"css-4lml0h e1mlxuuw1\"\/><\/div>\n<p><figcaption data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-figcaption\" class=\"css-1am3yn9 e1g9hcy40\"><span data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\" class=\"css-l4pefh e1geg53v2\">winhorse<\/span><span class=\"css-y5vk1n e1geg53v0\">\/\/<\/span><span class=\"css-l4pefh e1geg53v1\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Additionally, Mixue leans heavily on a digital approach, steering customers to place on-the-go orders in its app to streamline efficiency and get through orders quickly. Another benefit: in-app deals and promotions for those who sign up for their rewards program. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"11\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Looks like I\u2019ll be trading in my Big Mac for a matcha soft serve!<\/p>\n<section data-embed=\"editorial-link\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-21\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"embed\">\n<aside class=\"css-1hu65xl e94w1mj3\"\/><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2 min read The largest fast-food chain in the world isn\u2019t an American hotspot like McDonald\u2019s, Burger King, or Taco Bell. Mixue Ice Cream &amp; Tea, headquartered in China, has more locations than any other chain in the world, with more than 45,000 outposts. The brand is known for affordable [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}