There was a time, not too long ago, when the success of a child’s meal in a quick-serve or fast-casual restaurant was predicated on the coolness of whatever toy came with it. Meals we’re “happy” and not necessarily “healthy” – as noted in the general size of the caloric values associated with the fries and soda that came with what was typically just a smaller version of what the adult menu offered.

For over ten years, the KFC brand has seen its fair share of woes. As a member of the YUM! Brands group of restaurants, it has seen its partner companies soar past (even Pizza Hut, which has seen its own set of hurdles to overcome) in terms of popularity and bottom-line performance.

Add in competition from the lies of Chick-fil-A and Popeyes as well as the Great Recession and a few other setbacks, and you’ll see why KFC became the main ingredient of a recipe for disaster.

There’s no denying that the QSR industry is in constant fluctuation. This is true as much on a global scale as it is on a regional scale. And since it seems that trends are always being set in the good ole United States, we figured we’d take a quick look at the top six QSR brand in that region. In no particular order, because that’s how we roll.

Many entrepreneurs dream of, one day, opening their own restaurant. And whether they seek to open a world-class, fine-dining experience or something a little less formal, there are certainly ways to get started that will help you ease into the industry and not only make your mark, but also maintain a steady flow of customers and profits to help your ambitions, and your business, grow.