United States-McDonalds the worlds largest retailers of meat.

UNITED STATES-McDONALDS LEAD THE PACK ON RETAILING BEEF.

Steak restaurants fared poorly as a category, while a hamburger chain was the fastest growing large restaurant chain in 2008, according to Technomic Inc.’s annual report on the top 500 U.S. restaurant chains.

Overall, the top 500 restaurant chains grew at a 3.4 percent annual sales growth rate in 2008, compared to a 5 percent annual sales growth rate in 2007.

Limited service chains

As a whole, limited-service chains grew at a rate of 4.5 percent. Within the category, Asian limited-service chains grew at a 12 percent rate.

Fast-casual chains showed strong growth. Chipotle Mexican Grill led the Mexican category with a 20.7 percent growth rate. Standouts in the chicken category included Wingstop with sales growth of 23.6 percent and Zaxby’s with a 17.9 percent growth rate.

Subway continued to dominate the "other sandwich" segment with a 17.1 percent sales growth rate.

Panera Bread showed sales growth of 16.2 percent, while Starbucks grew 6.9 percent and Burger King by 6.6 percent. McDonald’s showed a 4.4 percent sales increase in 2008.

Full service chains

Full-service chains accounted for 39 percent of the Technomic Top 500 and showed a growth rate of only 0.9 percent in 2008.

Asian chains fared best with 9.3 percent growth, including an 8.7 percent growth rate for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. Also faring better than average were Italian restaurants, which grew by 3.4 percent.

Steak restaurants showed a growth rate of only 0.7 percent, while seafood restaurants grew by only 0.4 percent.

Varied-menu restaurant sales grew by 1.5 percent, compared to 5.4 percent growth in 2007.

Fastest growing chains

Across all categories of restaurant chains with over $200 million in annual sales, Five Guys Burgers and Fries was named the fastest growing chain. Its 2008 sales, at $302 million, were up 59 percent from 2007.

Others in the top ten by sales growth included:

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop

Potbelly Sandwich Works

Noodles & Company

Wingstop

Peet’s Coffee & Tea

Buffalo Wild Wings

Chipotle

Pei Wei Asian Diner

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery