Subway has dethroned McDonald's ( MCD ) as the world's largest chain, CNN reports .

At the end of last year, there were 33,749 Subways in operation throughout the globe, according to the company. McDonald's had 32,737 by the end of the year, according to paperwork the company filed in February. And Subway, whose numbers went up to 34,218, plans to continue expanding.

"Last year was actually pretty average for us, growth-wise," spokesman Les Winograd told the publication. "We aim to open between 1,000 and 2,000 locations globally each year."

He said the company is proud of the achievement but it did not aim for that goal.

But McDonald's focuses more on quality rather than quantity, according to a prepared statement.

The Golden Arches "continues to be focused on our business, and serving our customers," according to the statement. "Our business continues to be strong and we are growing by being better, not just bigger."

The recession has benefited the fast-food industry. A survey administered last month by American Express ( AXP ) indicated the super-rich consumer demographic was spending more money on fast food as compared to other restaurants.

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.