Mcdonald’s Corporation (MCD) stock — is it a good business?

Mcdonald’s Corporation (MCD) stock — is it a good business? — InspectStocks

Just reported

Q3 2026 results

From Mcdonald’s's results release of November 4, 2026; its quarterly report has since been filed.

Revenue
Actual
$7.16B
+1.1% y/y
+0.8% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given
EPS, GAAP
Actual
$3.51
+10% y/y
+5.7% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given
Operating income, GAAP
Actual
$3.6B
+7.1% y/y
+7.7% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given

Set against the company's own guidance and the same quarter a year earlier, not analysts' estimates, which we do not hold. Adjusted figures are the company's own non-GAAP measures, as stated in the release.

The full earnings report →

How it makes money

International Operated Markets51%
United States40%
International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate9%

Shares of revenue are estimates for quarter ended March 31, 2026, high confidence, not figures from a filing.

Competes with

What it sells5

Core beef, chicken and beverage menu
The main food and drink categories McDonald’s identifies as central to its menu.
McValue menu and Extra Value Meals
Everyday value-priced menu choices and bundled meals sold at participating restaurants.
Beverage range
A range that includes crafted sodas, refreshers, cold coffee and energy drinks.

Show 2 more

McCrispy
A chicken sandwich featured in market-specific menu promotions.
K-Pop Demon Hunters meal
A limited-time promotional meal that restaurants prepared and promoted during the quarter discussed on the earnings call.

Who buys it2

People buying meals and drinks at company-run and franchised restaurants, including at counters, drive-throughs, through digital ordering and through delivery.
Franchisees, licensees and affiliates that operate restaurants and pay McDonald’s rent, royalties, fees or other contracted amounts.

What it stands on, and what could break it

What the business leans on

1The business depends on franchisees and licensees operating restaurants and following McDonald’s standards; most of its restaurants are franchised.
2For conventional franchises, McDonald’s generally owns or secures a long-term lease on the restaurant site, making restaurant locations and property arrangements important to its revenue.
3Franchise fees depend in part on restaurant sales, so customer demand and the ability of local operators to run their restaurants affect the fees McDonald’s receives.

What could go wrong

1If McDonald’s or its restaurant operators do not carry out the company’s strategies effectively, including changes to menus, digital services and restaurant operations, customer demand and financial results could be affected.
2Changes in customer preferences, perceptions of food or business practices, or the success of competitors’ pricing and promotions could reduce visits or weaken the appeal of the McDonald’s brand.
3Inconsistent execution by franchisees, including on value offers, service and restaurant operations, could affect customer experience, restaurant sales and the fees McDonald’s collects.

Full financial statements →

About Mcdonald’s Corporation

McDonald’s serves food and drinks at restaurants it owns and runs, and through restaurants run by franchisees and licensees. For many conventional franchises, McDonald’s owns or leases the restaurant site and earns rent and royalties based partly on sales. Licensees generally provide the restaurant investment and pay royalties based on sales.

Head office: Chicago, Illinois
Founded: 1940
Listed on: New York Stock Exchange
Financial year ends: December 31

Built from Mcdonald’s Corporation’s own filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Figures are as reported, with per-share history restated onto today’s share basis. This describes a business — it is not investment advice and not a recommendation to buy or sell anything.

Just reported

Q3 2026 results

From Mcdonald’s's results release of November 4, 2026; its quarterly report has since been filed.

Revenue
Actual
$7.16B
+1.1% y/y
+0.8% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given
EPS, GAAP
Actual
$3.51
+10% y/y
+5.7% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given
Operating income, GAAP
Actual
$3.6B
+7.1% y/y
+7.7% q/q
Guided
—
No guide given

The full earnings report →

Keep exploring

The themes Mcdonald’s is part of, the highest-graded companies in its industry, and the companies in its sector whose grade rose recently.

The theme it is part of

Highest-graded in Restaurants

Graded A or B and worth $2B or more: A first, then the largest.

All 51 graded companies in its industry

Grade rose recently in Consumer Discretionary

Rose to A or B on a filing in the last 90 days, worth $2B or more: largest first.

All grade rises