McDonald's dominates globally with 40,575 locations and $23.2B annual revenue, while Burger King operates 18,000 locations with $6.5B revenue. McDonald's leads in market cap and brand value, but Burger King differentiates with flame-grilled burgers and higher customization options.
Burger King vs McDonald's — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global fast-food chain specializing in flame-grilled burgers and value pricing with 18,000+ locations.
World's largest fast-food chain by revenue, known for consistency and low prices
Global Restaurant Count. Annual Revenue (2024). Signature Cooking Method. Average Burger Price (USD). Customization Options. Market Capitalization. Brand Value Ranking (Global)
Choose McDonald's if you prioritize convenience, lowest prices, consistent quality worldwide, and the widest global availability — it's the market leader with superior financials and brand strength. Choose Burger King if you prefer flame-grilled flavor, customizable orders ('Have It Your Way'), and are willing to pay slightly more for a differentiated taste experience.
Burger King: $1.8 Billion | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Saves £2.00 | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (quality varies by location) | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: ~40 seconds per Whopper | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Standard Frosty-style offerings | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Traditional format | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: 5+ burger options at £5.99 | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: $1,650 | McDonald's: $2,900
Burger King: $316-$550 | McDonald's: $1.3 - $2.2 million
Burger King: 660 cal (Whopper) | McDonald's: 563 cal (Big Mac)
Burger King: 8M+ (BK Rewards) | McDonald's: 40M+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Burger King: ~1000+ 'Have it Your Way' combos | McDonald's: ~200 menu variations
Burger King: 18,000+ | McDonald's: 40,575
Burger King: 4.5 minutes | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Whopper: 660 cal | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: 365 days | McDonald's: 365 days
Burger King: 120+ | McDonald's: 150 items
Burger King: 18,291 | McDonald's: 40,575
Burger King: $1,200 | McDonald's: $2,700
Burger King: 125+ | McDonald's: 100+ countries
Burger King: $5.49 (Whopper) | McDonald's: $5.99 (Big Mac)
Burger King: 4-5 minutes | McDonald's: 3-4 minutes
Burger King: 18,000+ | McDonald's: 40,000+
Burger King: 6 minutes | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled frozen patties | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: 6 standard toppings | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: $6.5 billion | McDonald's: $23.2 billion
Burger King: 18,000 | McDonald's: 40,275
Burger King: 4.2M DAU | McDonald's: 28M DAU
Burger King: $316K - $516K | McDonald's: $1.6M - $2.3M
Burger King: 6 items | McDonald's: 12+ items
Burger King: Flame-grilled (smoky flavor) | McDonald's: Griddle-cooked (consistent)
Burger King: 18,000+ | McDonald's: 41,025 locations
Burger King: $19.3 billion | McDonald's: $196.5 billion
Burger King: 660 (Whopper) | McDonald's: 550 (Big Mac)
Burger King: 90+ countries | McDonald's: 100+ countries
Burger King: $1.2 million | McDonald's: $2.8 million
Burger King: 18,500+ | McDonald's: 40,275 locations
Burger King: 168 (24/7 at many locations) | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: $25.8B | McDonald's: $47.3B
Burger King: 700°F | McDonald's: Not flame-grilled
Burger King: Extensive (50+ combinations) | McDonald's: Limited (10-15 combinations)
Burger King: #35 globally | McDonald's: #10 globally
Whipper/Quarter Pounder Beef Patty Weight
Burger King: 2.0 oz flame-grilled | McDonald's: 1.6 oz beef
Burger King: 18,190 | McDonald's: 40,575
Burger King: Flame-grilled (frozen patties) | McDonald's: Frozen beef (100% beef)
Burger King: 45 million | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: 7.2 minutes | McDonald's: N/A
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen patties standard
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: AI-powered order systems 2026
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Standard options
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Expansion planned
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Standard offerings
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen patties + fresh beef option
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 3.8 minutes
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 2-3 items
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: AI voice-activated with accuracy scaling
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 8,000 new locations planned
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Optimized drive-thru layout
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 105% cheaper than Wendy's
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: #1 fries only
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Top 3 ($107B trifecta)
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: U.S. only
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: All-day breakfast/lunch/dinner
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: $23.2 billion
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 93% of US consumers
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 28% of customer base
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 40+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 24 hours (all-day breakfast)
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 150+ items
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 3-4 minutes
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen beef patties
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 150+ countries
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 550 cal (Big Mac)
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 975 calories
Burger King: N/A | McDonald's: 4.5 minutes
How to choose between Burger King and McDonald's
Burger King vs McDonald's — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Burger King vs McDonald's. Contains 142 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Burger King vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Burger King vs McDonald's.
Why is McDonald's more expensive overall but cheaper per burger?
McDonald's lower individual burger prices ($5.99 vs $7.49) are offset by higher ancillary costs — their breakfast menu drives more per-visit spending. However, McDonald's value menu and bundling strategies keep total transaction costs competitive. Burger King compensates with premium pricing on signature items but offers stronger value menu options under $3.
McDonald's uses a proprietary blend of fresh and frozen beef (25% fresh in US locations as of 2020), while Burger King flame-grills 100% beef patties without fillers. Burger King's flame-grilling at 700°F creates a charred exterior that many consumers prefer for taste, but McDonald's consistency and supply chain control result in more uniform quality across 40,000+ locations.
McDonald's offers more documented nutrition transparency and certified calorie counts. A McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese contains 520 calories, while a Burger King Whopper contains 660 calories — a 27% difference. However, both offer salads, wraps, and lower-calorie options. Neither is a health-focused choice; individual item selection matters more than brand.
Why does Burger King have fewer locations despite being established earlier?
McDonald's aggressive international expansion beginning in the 1960s-1980s gave it a 2-decade head start. By 2000, McDonald's had 28,000 locations vs Burger King's 11,000. Burger King faced ownership instability (5 different parent companies since 1989) while McDonald's maintained consistent franchising strategy, investing heavily in emerging markets like China and India.
McDonald's averages 4.5-5.2 minutes for drive-thru orders, while Burger King averages 5.8-6.4 minutes (based on 2024 QSR Magazine speed studies of 500+ locations each). McDonald's speed advantage comes from simplified menu options and streamlined preparation — Burger King's customization capability increases per-order complexity and wait times by approximately 18-22%.
How to Choose Between Burger King and McDonald's
Global Restaurant Count: Burger King has 18,000 locations, while McDonald's has 40,575 locations.
Annual Revenue (2024): Burger King has $6.5 billion, while McDonald's has $23.2 billion.
Signature Cooking Method: Burger King has Flame-grilled at 700°F, while McDonald's has Deep-fried and grilled.
Average Burger Price (USD): Burger King has $7.49 (Whopper), while McDonald's has $5.99 (Quarter Pounder).
Customization Options: Burger King has Have It Your Way - extensive, while McDonald's has Limited customization.
Market Capitalization: Burger King has $25.8 billion, while McDonald's has $47.3 billion.
Brand Value Ranking (Global): Burger King has #35 globally, while McDonald's has #10 globally.