U.S. consumers racked-up a revised $72 billion worth of fast food on their personal credit and debit cards this year, compared to $63 billion one-year ago. The 11% year-on-year increase in quick service restaurant volume is driven by expanded merchant acceptance, promotion of card usage and new contactless payment options, according to CardData (www.carddata.com). The current economic turmoil has given new energy to “dollar” menus which has been driving payment card growth. Americans spend about $190 billion per year at quick service restaurants.
QSR ON PLASTIC HISTORICAL 2000: $ 1.7 billion 2001: $ 3.7 billion 2002: $ 6.1 billion 2003: $12.9 billion 2004: $22.5 billion 2005: $33.2 billion 2006: $51.3 billion 2007: $62.8 billion 2008: $70.4 billion Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)