# McDonald's **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/mcdonalds **Vertical:** Consumer Food & Beverage **Subcategory:** Quick Service Restaurant **Tier:** Leader **Website:** mcdonalds.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Chicago global QSR franchisor (NYSE: MCD) $25.7B FY2024 revenue; 40K locations, 95%+ franchised, 175M loyalty app users, E. coli Q4 2024 recovery, McValue 2025 competing with Burger King and Yum!. ## Company Overview McDonald's Corporation is a Chicago, Illinois-based global fast food restaurant operator and franchisor — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MCD) as a Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary component — operating approximately 40,000 restaurants in 100+ countries through a predominantly franchised model (95%+ franchised) where independent operators pay royalties and rent for the McDonald's brand, systems, and real estate, generating restaurant revenues for franchisees and fee-based revenues for McDonald's Corporation. In fiscal year 2024, McDonald's reported revenues of $25.7 billion (comprised of franchisee royalty and rental income plus company-operated restaurant sales), with comparable sales declining 1.5% globally for the year as value-seeking consumer behavior and a significant E. coli outbreak (October 2024, Quarter Pounder onion contamination — affecting 104 people across multiple states, causing one death) weighed on traffic in Q4 2024. CEO Chris Kempczinski's strategy focuses on the "Accelerating the Arches" growth framework: marketing investment in core menu items (Big Mac, McChicken, McNuggets, fries), digital ordering acceleration (McDonald's mobile app surpassing 175 million 90-day active users globally by 2024), loyalty program expansion (MyMcDonald's Rewards — generating over $20 billion in annual system-wide loyalty sales), and value platform restoration (McValue menu launch in 2025 restoring affordable entry-price items that franchise operators had reduced during inflation-driven menu price increases). McDonald's franchised real estate model creates enduring competitive advantages through the combination of brand scale and owned real estate leverage: McDonald's Corporation owns or controls the real estate underlying approximately 55% of its restaurant locations — collecting rent from franchisees as a percentage of restaurant sales in addition to royalty fees — creating a real estate investment trust-like income stream that appreciates as urban and suburban commercial property values rise and restaurant sales increase. The McDonald's System (Hamburger University training curriculum, proprietary supply chain, standardized kitchen equipment specifications, proven marketing playbook) enables any franchisee operator to deploy the McDonald's brand with consistent food quality and service speed — making McDonald's the most replicated food service model in history with 40,000 locations achieving $8+ billion in global advertising spend efficiency. The digital transformation (McDonald's ordering kiosks, mobile app ordering and loyalty, and Drive-Thru dynamic pricing menu boards displaying AI-driven personalized recommendations) modernizes the consumer experience while capturing customer data for loyalty program monetization. In 2025, McDonald's competes in quick service restaurant (QSR) against Burger King/Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR, global Burger King franchise), Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut), and Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN, premium burger QSR) for consumer quick service dining occasions, digital loyalty engagement, and franchisee profitability to attract quality franchise operators. The E. coli outbreak recovery (Q4 2024 US same-store sales declined 1.4% following the October 2024 incident, with recovery expected through H1 2025 as customers return to Quarter Pounder menu items cleared of contamination risk) represents a specific short-term headwind that McDonald's is managing through food safety protocols and marketing reassurance. The consumer value pressure (2022-2024 menu price increases averaging 40% since 2019 driving consumer pushback and competitive fast-casual restaurant gains) requires McDonald's to restore perceived value through McValue menu offers while maintaining franchisee economics — a challenging balance between consumer price sensitivity and franchisee margins. The 2025 strategy focuses on US value platform restoration (McValue menu driving traffic recovery), digital loyalty sales growth toward $45+ billion annual target, and international comparable sales recovery in key markets (France, UK, Australia, China). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is McDonald's? McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer operating over 40,275 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald and franchised by Ray Kroc beginning in 1955, McDonald's serves more than 70 million customers daily with iconic menu items like the Big Mac, fries, and Happy Meals. The company holds 25.2% market share of the fast-food industry. ### When was McDonald's founded? McDonald's was founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. The brothers revolutionized their restaurant in 1948 by introducing the Speedee Service System. Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955 and purchased full rights to the company in 1961, transforming it into a global franchise empire. ### Where is McDonald's headquarters? McDonald's global headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. The company moved to Chicago from Oak Brook, Illinois in 2018, establishing a new state-of-the-art campus that serves as the hub for McDonald's worldwide operations, strategy, and innovation. ### Who are McDonald's main competitors? McDonald's primary competitors include Burger King, Wendy's, Subway, Starbucks (for breakfast and beverages), Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, and KFC. Despite intense competition, McDonald's maintains market leadership with 25.2% market share of the fast-food industry, driven by its global scale, brand recognition, and digital innovation. ### How much does a McDonald's franchise cost? McDonald's generally requires a minimum of $500,000 of non-borrowed personal resources to be considered for a franchise. The total cost varies by restaurant location, so the minimum down payment will vary. McDonald's does not permit franchise partnerships or investors and seeks individuals capable of operating multiple locations. Visit mcdonalds.com/us-franchising for detailed information. ### Does McDonald's food contain allergens? McDonald's provides ingredient information for the nine most common allergens identified by the U.S. FDA: eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. However, normal kitchen operations may involve shared cooking and preparation areas, so cross-contact with allergens may occur. McDonald's currently doesn't certify any menu items as gluten-free. Use the McDonald's app or website to view ingredients and allergens for each product. ### What is McDonald's doing for sustainability? McDonald's aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire business by 2050, with science-based interim targets for 2030. As of 2024, the company achieved 12% reduction in Scope 1 emissions, 68% reduction in Scope 2 emissions, and 3% reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to 2018. McDonald's is approximately 90.93% toward its goal of sourcing 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025. ### How do I order from McDonald's? You can order from McDonald's in multiple ways: visit a restaurant and order at the counter or kiosk, use the drive-thru, order through the McDonald's mobile app for pickup or McDelivery, or order via third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The McDonald's app offers exclusive deals, rewards, and the ability to customize orders. ### What is Ronald McDonald House Charities? Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that cares for families when their child is ill or injured. RMHC provides housing, support, and resources to families with sick children around the world. The McDonald's community—employees, customers, franchisees, and suppliers—donates time, funds, and in-kind services to support RMHC's mission. ### Is McDonald's hiring? Yes, McDonald's is consistently hiring for positions in restaurants and corporate offices. With over 2 million employees systemwide, McDonald's offers opportunities in crew positions, management, corporate roles, and more. Benefits include flexible scheduling, career advancement through Archways to Opportunity education programs, health insurance, and tuition assistance. Visit jobs.mchire.com or careers.mcdonalds.com to apply. ### What is the McDonald's mobile app? The McDonald's mobile app enables customers to order ahead, customize menu items, earn and redeem rewards through MyMcDonald's Rewards, access exclusive deals, and make contactless payments. The app runs on McDonald's universal platform deployed in 2024, providing seamless experiences across all touchpoints. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. ### How can I contact McDonald's? For general inquiries, visit mcdonalds.com/contact-us. For restaurant-specific questions, use the McDonald's Restaurant Locator to find contact information for nearby locations. For corporate inquiries, visit corporate.mcdonalds.com. Customer service is available through the website, and many questions can be answered in the FAQ section at mcdonalds.com/faq. ## Tags b2c, fortune500, global, manufacturing, public, services --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*