United States – The modern American fast-food industry is built largely around burgers, chicken, and beef-based menus, and recent sales rankings show just how far seafood has fallen out of favor. The latest QSR 50 2025 rankings underline that shift, with no seafood-focused chain appearing among the nation’s top-selling quick-service restaurants—a trend that has contributed to the near-collapse of once-iconic brands like Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips.
Fast-Food Sales Rankings Highlight Seafood’s Absence
The top fast-food chains in the U.S. continue to be dominated by meat-centric menus. According to industry rankings, the leaders by U.S. sales include McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chick‑fil‑A, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s, followed closely by Dunkin’, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Burger King, Subway, and Domino’s.
Notably absent from the top tier is any seafood-focused brand, reflecting a broader downturn in seafood dining across the restaurant industry.
Seafood Segment Continues to Decline
Industry analysts say seafood chains have struggled even as the broader restaurant sector has grown. Reporting cited by Nation’s Restaurant News shows that seafood restaurants underperformed compared with overall industry growth.
Even excluding the collapse of Red Lobster, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024 and saw sales plunge, other seafood chains still reported year-over-year declines. Data from Technomic indicates that seafood brands brought in less revenue in 2024 than in 2023, while the restaurant industry as a whole continued to expand.
Arthur Treacher’s Falls From Fast-Food Fame
Few brands illustrate the decline better than Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips. Once a household name that introduced British-style fish and chips to American fast food, the chain has dwindled to just three standalone locations nationwide.
Founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, Arthur Treacher’s grew rapidly during the 1970s and peaked with more than 800 locations by the end of that decade. Over time, however, rising costs, ownership changes, and shifting consumer tastes sharply reduced its footprint.
Ownership Changes and Ghost Kitchen Revival
The brand was acquired by Nathan’s Famous in 2006, a move that kept the name alive but did not restore its former scale. In recent years, new ownership has attempted to revive Arthur Treacher’s through a ghost-kitchen model, allowing restaurants to sell its menu via delivery platforms without standalone storefronts.
In a company statement, Nathan’s Famous said the revived menu would preserve traditional items like hand-dipped fish and fries while adding upgraded proteins and a renewed focus on shrimp.
Despite those efforts, only three physical Arthur Treacher’s restaurants remain, all in Northeast Ohio, operated under license by Pat Franchise Systems.
Why the Chain Failed to Survive
Food industry analysts point to a combination of global events and strategic decisions that undermined Arthur Treacher’s long-term viability. A major blow came when international fishing disputes between Iceland and the U.K. sharply increased cod prices, making the chain’s signature dish far more expensive to produce.
In response, the company replaced cod with pollock, a move that reduced costs but alienated loyal customers and weakened the brand’s identity, according to industry reporting from QSR Magazine. Rising labor costs and changing diner preferences further compounded the problem.
A Brand That Still Lingers
Although the chain no longer competes with fast-food giants, Arthur Treacher’s name has not disappeared entirely. A limited number of ghost-kitchen listings remain available on delivery platforms, and its three Ohio locations continue to serve longtime fans.
Former franchise operators have said labor shortages and operational challenges—not lack of demand—ultimately forced closures in recent years. Meanwhile, Nathan’s Famous has said it remains committed to preserving the brand’s legacy, even if its future looks very different from its past.
The story of Arthur Treacher’s reflects a broader reality in American dining: as fast-food menus have shifted toward chicken, burgers, and convenience-focused offerings, seafood chains have struggled to keep pace, leaving once-iconic names fighting simply to survive.
