McDonald’s - statistics & facts
With over 70 years of operations, McDonald’s has used this time effectively, expanding aggressively all over the globe. The existence of the Big Mac Index, a tool used by The Economist that compares the price of a Big Mac to show purchasing power across countries, highlights just how effective the company’s global expansion has been. In 2025, the number of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide peaked at over 45,000, a figure that has grown steadily over the past decade.
Where are McDonald's biggest markets?
McDonald's golden arches have become a familiar sight all over the world. However, the fast food giant’s home country had by far the largest share of restaurants, with the number of McDonald’s establishments in the United States reaching around 13,700 in 2025. Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom were the countries with the most McDonald’s restaurants in Europe, with around 1,600 and 1,500 units, respectively. When looking at McDonald's restaurants in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, China took the top spot, ahead of Japan and Australia.
Is McDonald's the biggest fast food brand in the world?
Over the years, McDonald’s has faced many competitors that have tried to usurp its top spot. One of its most public rivals is Burger King, a company that has targeted McDonald’s in its marketing campaigns since the 1980s. While Burger King’s competitive campaigns have had public success, McDonald’s remains the reigning king of fast food. In 2025, McDonald's had the highest brand value of any quick service restaurant worldwide at over 220 billion U.S. dollars, placing it above competitors including global brands such as Starbucks, KFC, and Subway.
How popular is McDonald’s with consumers?
McDonald's demonstrates strong brand awareness across many of its markets. For example, 94 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed were aware of the McDonald’s brand in 2025, making it the leading restaurant chain with the highest brand awareness in the United States. That year, McDonald’s brand awareness in the United Kingdom was even higher, at 98 percent. However, despite this high brand recognition, McDonald's faces challenges in customer satisfaction. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, McDonald's scored 70 out of 100, the lowest among its fellow fast food restaurants in 2025. Meanwhile, in a list of the most popular dining brands in the United Kingdom in 2026, McDonald’s ranked significantly behind competitors like KFC and Domino’s Pizza.
While McDonald’s revenue in 2025 increased over the previous year, it has been inconsistent over the past decade, even seeing a five-year decline leading up to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite its massive global presence and aggressive growth initiatives, focusing on improving customer satisfaction in its home country and other key markets could help McDonald’s further consolidate its already dominant position.
