In France, a land of fine dining, Michelin stars and high standards for cuisine, there's a surprising favorite: American fast food. Expilly oversaw Popeyes' 2023 arrival in France while serving as COO of Popeyes France for French restaurant group Napaqaro. Burger King specifically has gone aggressively after the market "given the propensity for American quick service foods and concepts in France," Charles said. In 2024, McDonald's and Burger King hold more than 40% of the market, according to Euromonitor International, and now consider it their biggest one outside the U.S. French QSRs did take a hit in 2020, but the industry bounced back quickly, earning more profits in 2021 than before the pandemic, according to Euromonitor International.

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Persons: Xavier Expilly, EXPM, Expilly, Popeyes, Burger, McDonald's, Andrew Charles, Cowen, Charles, Burger King, Joel Tissier, haven't, Tissier Organizations: Euromonitor, CNBC, Restaurant Brands, Canadian, Mac, Créteil, KFC, Euromonitor International, BK Locations: France, Europe, American, Burger, Paris, United States