Who Owns Big Mac?

What does McDonald's own?
McDonald's owns a portfolio of branded menu items including the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish, Egg McMuffin, Happy Meal, McCafe, and McValue Menu. The company operates as a single-brand restaurant company, with all products sold under the McDonald's name. McDonald's also owns or leases a significant portion of the real estate where its restaurants operate.

Is McDonald's publicly traded?
Yes, McDonald's trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker MCD. The company has been publicly traded since 1965. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Global Advisors.

Who founded McDonald's?
McDonald's was founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a barbecue restaurant in San Bernardino, California. They transitioned to hamburgers in 1948 and developed the "Speedee Service System." Ray Kroc joined in 1954, proposed franchising nationally, opened his first restaurant in 1955, and purchased the company from the McDonald brothers in 1961 for $2.7 million.

Who is the CEO of McDonald's?
Chris Kempczinski serves as Chairman and CEO of McDonald's Corporation. Under his leadership, McDonald's has focused on the "Accelerating the Arches" strategy, emphasizing value leadership, core menu classics (chicken and beef), digital growth, and restaurant development. In August 2026, Skye Anderson was appointed President of McDonald's USA to strengthen execution in the company's largest market.

What is McDonald's annual revenue?
McDonald's reported FY2025 consolidated revenue of $26.9 billion, up 4% from $25.9 billion in 2024. Operating income was $12.4 billion, net income was $8.6 billion, and diluted EPS was $11.95. Global systemwide sales exceeded $139 billion, up 7% from the prior year.

How many McDonald's restaurants are there worldwide?
McDonald's operates over 45,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of these restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. In 2025, gross openings totaled nearly 2,300 restaurants, and the company is targeting 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027.

What is McDonald's franchise model?
Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants are franchised. The company generates revenue from franchise fees, royalties based on a percentage of sales, and rent payments. In FY2025, franchised restaurant revenue was $16.5 billion, representing approximately 61% of total revenue. The franchise model generates stable, predictable cash flows with relatively low capital requirements for expansion.

What is McDonald's loyalty program?
McDonald's has nearly 210 million 90-day active loyalty users across 70 markets. In FY2025, systemwide sales to loyalty members increased 20% to nearly $37 billion. The company is targeting 250 million loyalty users by the end of 2027. Loyalty members visit more frequently and enable personalized offers that drive higher visit frequency than traditional advertising.

What is the McValue menu?
The McValue menu is a permanent value menu strategy that evolved from the temporary $5 Meal Deal. It anchors the brand's identity to affordability and includes various combination meals for cost-conscious consumers. The strategy successfully improved traffic and strengthened value and affordability scores in 2025.

How is McDonald's responding to GLP-1 medications?
With approximately 12% of U.S. adults using GLP-1 weight-loss medications, McDonald's has expanded protein-forward options and smaller, customizable portions. The industry is seeing a 5-6% reduction in per-user fast-food spending due to these medications. McDonald's adaptability mirrors historical shifts in consumer behavior.

What is McDonald's "Accelerating the Arches" strategy?
"Accelerating the Arches," now in its sixth year, is organized around the M-C-D growth pillars: Maximizing Marketing, Committing to Core Menu Classics (chicken and beef), and Doubling Down on Digital, Delivery, and Drive-Thru. The strategy has driven consistent comparable sales growth and loyalty program expansion.

Does McDonald's own its real estate?
Yes, McDonald's owns or leases a significant portion of the real estate where its restaurants operate. This real estate portfolio is a crucial part of the company's business model, providing stable rental income from franchisees and appreciating asset values beyond restaurant operations.