The 5 Countries With the Largest Number of Burger King Locations – and the 6 Where the Chain Doesn’t Operate

When you think about global fast food dominance, Burger King might not immediately come to mind as second only to McDonald’s. As of December 31, 2023, Burger King operated 19,247 restaurants across 120 countries and territories. However, the flame-grilled empire’s reach across the globe tells a fascinating story of strategic expansion, surprising market penetration, and notable absences that might shock you.

United States: The Crown Jewel of Burger King Territory

Unsurprisingly, the United States dominates the Burger King landscape with overwhelming numbers. There are 6,560 Burger King restaurants in the United States as of October 28, 2025. The state and territory with the most number of Burger King locations in the US is Texas, with 564 restaurants, which is about 8.6% of all Burger King restaurants in the US. This massive presence represents roughly one-third of all Burger King locations worldwide.

What makes these numbers even more impressive is their recent growth trajectory. As of 2024, there are 7,257 Burger King restaurants in the United States. The American market remains the cornerstone of Burger King’s global operations, with franchise locations continuing to generate substantial revenue streams.

Brazil: South America’s Burger King Powerhouse

Brazil stands as Burger King’s second-largest market globally, representing a remarkable success story in Latin America. Brazil dominates the market with nearly 70% of regional stores, reflecting strong consumer demand in urban centers. The country’s appetite for flame-grilled burgers has made it an essential pillar of Burger King’s international strategy.

The Brazilian market showcases how Burger King adapts to local preferences while maintaining its core identity. Brazil offers multiple variations of the Mega Stacker with up to four beef patties and catupiry cheese. This localization strategy has proven incredibly effective in capturing Brazilian consumers’ love for beef-centric meals.

China: Asia’s Surprising Burger King Territory

China represents one of Burger King’s most strategic expansion markets, fitting perfectly into their BRIC nation focus. It has embarked on a plan to base a good portion of its future growth in the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), with plans to open more than 3000 locations in three of those four countries. The Chinese market has become increasingly important as the company seeks to diversify beyond its traditional Western strongholds.

Burger King has opened new restaurants in 10 more countries, with most of the new locations in Asia and Africa. This expansion strategy demonstrates how China serves as a launching pad for broader Asian market penetration, making it a critical component of Burger King’s global growth story.

Germany: Europe’s Burger King Hub

Germany stands out as one of Europe’s most successful Burger King markets, representing the chain’s strong European presence. The country has embraced the American burger concept while maintaining its own culinary identity, creating a unique market dynamic that has proven highly profitable for the franchise.

European operations have become increasingly important for Burger King’s overall performance. International markets fueling much of the brand’s systemwide sales momentum in 2025 – evidenced by a 12.1% year-over-year increase in consolidated international systemwide sales through the third quarter. Germany’s contribution to this growth cannot be overstated in the European context.

Australia: The Hungry Jack’s Exception

Australia presents a fascinating case study in international franchising complexities. Burger King’s Australian franchise Hungry Jack’s is the only franchise to operate under a different name due to a trademark dispute with a similarly name The story behind this name change reveals the intricate legal challenges of global expansion.

In the 1970s a smart guy in Perth, Australia registered Burger King as an Australian trademark. Despite operating under the Hungry Jack’s name, these locations maintain the same menu, quality standards, and operational procedures as Burger King restaurants worldwide, making Australia effectively one of the largest Burger King markets by proxy.

North Korea: The Hermit Kingdom’s Closed Doors

North Korea represents one of the most obvious absences from Burger King’s global footprint, though for reasons extending far beyond business considerations. The country’s isolated political system and heavily restricted economy make it virtually impossible for Western fast-food chains to establish operations, regardless of potential market demand.

The geopolitical landscape surrounding North Korea creates insurmountable barriers for international franchising. Even if economic conditions were favorable, the regulatory environment and political tensions would make Burger King expansion practically impossible, leaving this market completely untapped.

Iran: Sanctions and Political Barriers

Iran’s absence from the Burger King map reflects the complex relationship between international sanctions and business operations. The ongoing political tensions and economic restrictions have created an environment where Western fast-food chains cannot realistically operate, despite the country’s substantial population and potential market demand.

The situation in Iran demonstrates how geopolitical factors can completely override market fundamentals in international expansion decisions. Even with a population of over 80 million people, political considerations make this market effectively off-limits for American franchise operations.

Antarctica: The Ultimate Frontier Challenge

Burger King has grown to become the second-largest hamburger chain globally, expanding aggressively since the 1960s and reaching international markets beginning with Puerto Rico in 1963 and establishing a presence on every continent except Antarctica. This stark absence makes perfect sense when considering the logistical impossibilities of operating a restaurant in such extreme conditions.

Antarctica’s unique status as a research-focused continent with no permanent civilian population creates obvious challenges for any commercial food service operation. The extreme weather conditions, supply chain impossibilities, and lack of a consumer base make this the one continent where Burger King will likely never establish a presence.

Pakistan: The Missing South Asian Market

Pakistan’s absence from Burger King’s portfolio stands out particularly when considering the chain’s presence in neighboring India. Despite having a population exceeding 220 million people and a growing middle class with disposable income, Pakistan remains without Burger King locations, representing a significant untapped market opportunity.

The contrast becomes even more striking when examining regional fast-food penetration patterns. While other international chains have found success in Pakistan’s urban centers, Burger King has yet to establish a foothold, leaving this substantial market entirely to competitors and local chains.

Nigeria: Africa’s Largest Economy Without the King

Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy makes its absence from Burger King’s map particularly noteworthy. Despite being home to Africa’s biggest city, Lagos, home to over 16 million people, you won’t find a McDonald’s anywhere in Nigeria. One suggested reason is a lack of adequate suppy chains. Similar supply chain challenges likely affect Burger King’s expansion plans.

The Nigerian market represents enormous untapped potential, with a rapidly growing urban population and increasing Western cultural influence. However, infrastructure challenges and supply chain complexities have kept major American fast-food chains from establishing significant operations, leaving this massive market largely unexploited.

Mongolia: Where Nomadic Life Meets Modern Challenges

In landlocked Mongolia, nearly half the population is nomadic, and local delicacies include mutton dumplings and boiled sheep with potatoes. You definitely won’t see anyone picking up a Big Mac from the drive-thru here (in fact, you won’t see a drive-thru or a golden arch at all). These same logistical challenges affect Burger King’s potential expansion into this unique market.

Mongolia’s demographic realities create fundamental challenges for Western fast-food operations. The combination of nomadic lifestyle patterns, limited urban infrastructure, and traditional dietary preferences makes it an extremely difficult market for international franchise expansion, explaining why Burger King has not established operations there.

The global landscape of Burger King locations reveals fascinating patterns of international business expansion, geopolitical influence, and market dynamics. While the chain has successfully established itself across 125 countries and territories, the notable absences tell equally compelling stories about the challenges of global franchising. From the massive success in Brazil to the complete absence in North Korea, each market represents unique opportunities and obstacles that shape the modern fast-food industry’s international footprint.