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)
