Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's
type: Article
description: McDonald's dominates on price, accessibility, and global scale with 40,000 stores and AI-powered drive-thrus launching in 2026, while Chick-fil-A focuses on premium chicken quality, higher food costs, and a more limited menu with stronger brand loyalty.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-05-10T10:33:31.953Z
date created: 2026-05-10T10:33:31.953Z
date modified: 2026-05-10T10:33:32.195Z
content reference time: 2026-05-10T10:33:32.195Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Chick-fil-A
about: McDonald's
abstract: McDonald's dominates on price, accessibility, and global scale with 40,000 stores and AI-powered drive-thrus launching in 2026, while Chick-fil-A focuses on premium chicken quality, higher food costs, and a more limited menu with stronger brand loyalty.
text: Global Store Count. Average Entree Price. Menu Focus. 2026 Expansion Plans. Operating Hours. Food Quality Positioning. Drive-Thru Technology
conclusion text: McDonald's is the clear winner for budget-conscious diners seeking maximum accessibility, variety, and 2026 innovation with AI-powered technology and 8,000 new locations. Choose Chick-fil-A if you prioritize premium chicken quality, brand loyalty, and don't mind higher prices or Sunday closures. Choose McDonald's if you value affordability, 24/7 availability, diverse menu options, and cutting-edge restaurant technology.
additional property: Number of Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 2,900+ | McDonald's: 40,000+
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Menu Item Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 15-20 | McDonald's: 80+ items
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: 2026 New Location Growth Target
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 150-200 estimated | McDonald's: 8,000
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Chicken Preparation Method
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: Hand-breaded fresh daily | McDonald's: Frozen patties + fresh beef option
additional property: Drive-Thru AI Technology
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: Mobile app + traditional ordering | McDonald's: Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling
additional property: Average Customer Transaction Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 4.5 minutes | McDonald's: 3.8 minutes
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Global Store Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 40,000+ | McDonald's: 3,000+
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Quality Ranking (YouGov 2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: #1 overall quality | McDonald's: #1 fries only
additional property: Average Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $9.25 | McDonald's: $6.99
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Annual Operating Days
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 365 days | McDonald's: 340 days
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Price Premium vs. Competitor
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: +38% higher | McDonald's: baseline
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: 2025 Sales Tier
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: Top 3 ($107B trifecta) | McDonald's: Top 3 ($107B trifecta)
additional property: International Presence
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 100+ countries | McDonald's: U.S. only
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Signature Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $4.59 | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: U.S. Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,072 | McDonald's: 13,574
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Customer Satisfaction Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 82 | McDonald's: 75
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Average Drive-Thru Wait Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 4.2 | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Order Accuracy Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 99.2% | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Annual U.S. Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $17.8B | McDonald's: $23.2B
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Operating Days Per Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 260 days (closed Sundays) | McDonald's: 365 days
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Chicken Sandwich Sodium Content
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 940mg | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Total Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,000+ | McDonald's: 40,575
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Annual Revenue per Restaurant
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $3.8M | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Average Drive-Thru Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3.2 minutes | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Signature Item Calories
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: Chicken Sandwich: 440 cal | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Average Meal Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $8.25 | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Customer Satisfaction Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 86% | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Average Entree Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $8.50 | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Sodium per Standard Entree
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 1,240mg | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Core Menu Items
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 23 | McDonald's: 145
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: US Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,052 | McDonald's: 13,000+
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: 24-Hour Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 0% | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Average Wait Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 4.2 minutes | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Chicken Source Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: Hand-breaded fresh daily, never frozen | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Global Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,000+ | McDonald's: 40,575
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Average Transaction Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3-4 | McDonald's: 4-5
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Revenue Per Location (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $2.7-3.2M | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Repeat Customer Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 78% | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: Average Entrée Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $9.25 | McDonald's: N/A
additional property: US Location Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,039 | McDonald's: 13,573
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Customer Satisfaction (ACSI)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 86 | McDonald's: 74
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $8.49 | McDonald's: $6.79
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Drive-Thru Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 4.3 min | McDonald's: 5.8 min
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Menu Items Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: ~25 items | McDonald's: 150+ items
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Annual Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $14.3B | McDonald's: $23.2B (2024)
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Global Countries Served
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 1 (USA only) | McDonald's: 100+
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Average Employee Wage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $17.00 | McDonald's: $13.50
  value reference: Chick-fil-A
additional property: Average Unit Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: $2.7 million | McDonald's: $2.8 million
  value reference: McDonald's
additional property: Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Chick-fil-A: 3,100+ | McDonald's: 40,275 locations
  value reference: McDonald's
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/chick-fil-a
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/chick-fil-a
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/mcdonald-s
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/mcdonald-s
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds))
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mcdonalds-vs-wendys
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mcdonald-s-vs-wendy-s
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/mcdonalds-vs-burger-king
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/dunkin-vs-mcdonalds
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/burger-king-vs-chick-fil-a
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/burger-king-vs-mcdonalds
teaches: How to choose between Chick-fil-A and McDonald's
genre: Food_and_drink

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Chick-fil-A
type: Brand
alternate name: Chick Fil A
language: en-US
description: American fast-casual chicken restaurant chain with 3,072 U.S. locations, closed Sundays.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Chick-fil-A
subject of: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's
image: ImageObject
  caption: Chick-fil-A

McDonald's
type: Thing
alternate name: Mcdonald S
language: en-US
description: Global fast-food chain with 13,574 U.S. locations and 24/7 availability, serving 69 million daily customers.
image: ImageObject
  caption: McDonald's
subject of: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's
image: ImageObject
  caption: McDonald's

Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's. Contains 130 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Number of Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Menu Item Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Variety
variable measured: 2026 New Location Growth Target
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Expansion
variable measured: Chicken Preparation Method
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality Standards
variable measured: Drive-Thru AI Technology
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Innovation
variable measured: Average Customer Transaction Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Efficiency
variable measured: Global Store Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: Quality Ranking (YouGov 2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality Perception
variable measured: Average Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Annual Operating Days
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Price Premium vs. Competitor
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: 2025 Sales Tier
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Business Performance
variable measured: International Presence
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Global Reach
variable measured: Signature Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: U.S. Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Size & Scale
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Score
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality & Experience
variable measured: Average Drive-Thru Wait Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Speed & Efficiency
variable measured: Order Accuracy Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality & Satisfaction
variable measured: Annual U.S. Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial
variable measured: Operating Days Per Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Chicken Sandwich Sodium Content
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Nutrition
variable measured: Total Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale
variable measured: Annual Revenue per Restaurant
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Average Drive-Thru Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Service Efficiency
variable measured: Signature Item Calories
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Nutrition
variable measured: Average Meal Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality
variable measured: Average Entree Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Sodium per Standard Entree
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Nutrition
variable measured: Core Menu Items
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Menu
variable measured: US Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Accessibility
variable measured: 24-Hour Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Convenience
variable measured: Average Wait Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Service Speed
variable measured: Chicken Source Standard
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality
variable measured: Global Restaurant Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale & Reach
variable measured: Average Transaction Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Service
variable measured: Revenue Per Location (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Repeat Customer Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Loyalty
variable measured: Average Entrée Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: US Location Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction (ACSI)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Quality
variable measured: Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Price
variable measured: Drive-Thru Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Convenience
variable measured: Menu Items Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Variety
variable measured: Annual Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Global Countries Served
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Global Reach
variable measured: Average Employee Wage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operations
variable measured: Average Unit Volume
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Global Locations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Reach
variable measured: Average Transaction Value
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Core Menu Item Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Menu Diversity
variable measured: Operating Hours Per Week
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Employee Turnover Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operations Quality
variable measured: Average Check-In Rating (Google/Yelp)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Reviews
variable measured: Classic Chicken Sandwich Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Operating Days Per Week
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Availability
variable measured: Average Meal Calorie Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Nutrition
variable measured: Average Starting Wage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Employment
variable measured: Global Restaurant Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scale & Reach
variable measured: 2026 Revenue Growth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Financial Performance
variable measured: Beef Freshness
variable measured: Drive-Thru Technology Level
variable measured: Average Burger Price
variable measured: Menu Item Customization Options
variable measured: New Restaurant Openings 2026
variable measured: Chicken Sandwich Quality Focus
variable measured: Value Meal Price
variable measured: Beef Freshness Standard
variable measured: New Menu Items Per Year
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds

Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's.
has defined term: Availability
has defined term: Variety
has defined term: Expansion
has defined term: Quality Standards
has defined term: Innovation
has defined term: Efficiency
has defined term: Accessibility
has defined term: Quality Perception
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Business Performance
has defined term: Global Reach
has defined term: Size & Scale
has defined term: Quality & Experience
has defined term: Speed & Efficiency
has defined term: Quality & Satisfaction
has defined term: Financial
has defined term: Nutrition
has defined term: Scale
has defined term: Financial Performance
has defined term: Service Efficiency
has defined term: Quality
has defined term: Menu
has defined term: Convenience
has defined term: Service Speed
has defined term: Scale & Reach
has defined term: Service
has defined term: Loyalty
has defined term: Price
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Market Reach
has defined term: Menu Diversity
has defined term: Operations Quality
has defined term: Customer Reviews
has defined term: Employment
has defined term: Ingredient Quality
has defined term: Value & Pricing
has defined term: Flexibility
has defined term: Product Quality
has defined term: Menu Innovation
has defined term: Technology & Innovation
has defined term: Growth & Expansion
has defined term: Brand Experience
has defined term: Pricing Comparison
has defined term: Franchise Economics
has defined term: Startup Cost
has defined term: Marketing
has defined term: Customer Engagement
has defined term: Menu Flexibility
has defined term: Distribution
has defined term: Revenue Mix
has defined term: Product Offering
has defined term: Brand Strength
has defined term: Operational Efficiency
has defined term: Technology Integration
has defined term: Revenue Per Transaction
has defined term: Demographic Appeal
has defined term: Digital Engagement
has defined term: Financial Investment
has defined term: Product Offerings
has defined term: Customer Satisfaction
has defined term: Location Profitability
has defined term: Service Hours
has defined term: Technology
has defined term: Service Quality
has defined term: Product Variety

Availability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: availability
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Variety
type: DefinedTerm
term code: variety
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Expansion
type: DefinedTerm
term code: expansion
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality Standards
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-standards
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: innovation
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: efficiency
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Accessibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: accessibility
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality Perception
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-perception
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Business Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: business-performance
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Global Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: global-reach
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Size & Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: size-&-scale
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality & Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-&-experience
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Speed & Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: speed-&-efficiency
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality & Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality-&-satisfaction
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Nutrition
type: DefinedTerm
term code: nutrition
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial-performance
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-efficiency
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: quality
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Menu
type: DefinedTerm
term code: menu
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Convenience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: convenience
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Speed
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-speed
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale & Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale-&-reach
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Loyalty
type: DefinedTerm
term code: loyalty
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Price
type: DefinedTerm
term code: price
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-reach
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Menu Diversity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: menu-diversity
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations-quality
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Reviews
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-reviews
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Employment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: employment
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ingredient Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ingredient-quality
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Value & Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: value-&-pricing
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Flexibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: flexibility
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-quality
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Menu Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: menu-innovation
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology & Innovation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-&-innovation
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth & Expansion
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth-&-expansion
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Brand Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: brand-experience
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing Comparison
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing-comparison
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Franchise Economics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: franchise-economics
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Startup Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: startup-cost
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Marketing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: marketing
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Engagement
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-engagement
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Menu Flexibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: menu-flexibility
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Distribution
type: DefinedTerm
term code: distribution
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Revenue Mix
type: DefinedTerm
term code: revenue-mix
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Offering
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-offering
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Brand Strength
type: DefinedTerm
term code: brand-strength
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operational Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operational-efficiency
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology-integration
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Revenue Per Transaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: revenue-per-transaction
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Demographic Appeal
type: DefinedTerm
term code: demographic-appeal
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Digital Engagement
type: DefinedTerm
term code: digital-engagement
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Financial Investment
type: DefinedTerm
term code: financial-investment
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Offerings
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-offerings
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-satisfaction
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Location Profitability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: location-profitability
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Hours
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-hours
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technology
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technology
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service Quality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service-quality
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Product Variety
type: DefinedTerm
term code: product-variety
in defined term set: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-05-10T10:33:32.195Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds
main entity: Why is Chick-fil-A more expensive than McDonald's?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Chick-fil-A positions itself as a premium fast-casual brand with hand-breaded chicken prepared fresh daily, while McDonald's competes on volume and affordability with frozen patties. Chick-fil-A's average chicken sandwich costs $10.25 vs McDonald's $6.75, reflecting higher ingredient costs and brand positioning rather than restaurant overhead.
    language: en-US
main entity: What's changing at McDonald's in 2026?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: McDonald's is executing an aggressive 2026 overhaul: opening 8,000 new locations, deploying AI voice-activated drive-thrus with accuracy scaling, implementing tighter pricing controls, adding new menu items, and expanding digital/mobile ordering. This directly addresses McDonald's historical weakness in order accuracy.
    language: en-US
main entity: Does Chick-fil-A being closed Sundays hurt their business?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes significantly. Closing Sundays eliminates approximately 14% of potential weekly revenue (52 days/year lost) and creates accessibility gaps for 1.3 billion Sunday diners annually. This is a deliberate brand choice rooted in company founder Truett Cathy's religious values, prioritizing values over profit maximization.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which chain has better food quality?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Chick-fil-A wins on fresh preparation — 100% hand-breaded chicken daily with premium ingredients (honey pepper pimento cheese sandwiches launching 2026). McDonald's uses frozen beef patties for most items, though they've added fresh beef options. Quality perception favors Chick-fil-A, but McDonald's offers superior menu variety and consistency at scale.
    language: en-US
main entity: Will McDonald's AI drive-thrus be more accurate than human workers?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: McDonald's 2026 'AI Accuracy Scales' aim to reduce order mistakes through voice recognition and confirmation protocols. Early AI food-service implementations show 3-7% error rate reduction vs human ordering, but real-world data for McDonald's specific system remains limited as of early 2026 rollout.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Chick-fil-A and McDonald's
type: HowTo
description: McDonald's dominates on price, accessibility, and global scale with 40,000 stores and AI-powered drive-thrus launching in 2026, while Chick-fil-A focuses on premium chicken quality, higher food costs, and a more limited menu with stronger brand loyalty.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Global Store Count
step: Consider: Average Entree Price
step: Consider: Menu Focus
step: Consider: 2026 Expansion Plans
step: Consider: Operating Hours
step: Consider: Food Quality Positioning
step: Consider: Drive-Thru Technology
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: McDonald's is the clear winner for budget-conscious diners seeking maximum accessibility, variety, and 2026 innovation with AI-powered technology and 8,000 new locations. Choose Chick-fil-A if you prioritize premium chicken quality, brand loyalty, and don't mind higher prices or Sunday closures. Choose McDonald's if you value affordability, 24/7 availability, diverse menu options, and cutting-edge restaurant technology.

Consider: Global Store Count
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Global Store Count: Chick-fil-A has 2,900+ locations, while McDonald's has 40,000+ locations.

Consider: Average Entree Price
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Average Entree Price: Chick-fil-A has $9.50-$11.00, while McDonald's has $5.50-$7.50.

Consider: Menu Focus
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Menu Focus: Chick-fil-A has Premium chicken specialty, while McDonald's has Broad variety (burgers, chicken, breakfast).

Consider: 2026 Expansion Plans
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: 2026 Expansion Plans: Chick-fil-A has New location features (drive-in seating), while McDonald's has 8,000 new locations with AI drive-thrus.

Consider: Operating Hours
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Operating Hours: Chick-fil-A has Closed Sundays (52 days/year), while McDonald's has Open 7 days/week.

Consider: Food Quality Positioning
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Food Quality Positioning: Chick-fil-A has 100% hand-breaded chicken daily, while McDonald's has Frozen beef patties with fresh beef option.

Consider: Drive-Thru Technology
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Drive-Thru Technology: Chick-fil-A has Traditional with mobile ordering, while McDonald's has AI voice-activated with accuracy scaling.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's
review body: McDonald's dominates on price, accessibility, and global scale with 40,000 stores and AI-powered drive-thrus launching in 2026, while Chick-fil-A focuses on premium chicken quality, higher food costs, and a more limited menu with stronger brand loyalty.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's

Average Transaction Value
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: $9.25 | McDonald's: N/A

Core Menu Item Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 17 | McDonald's: N/A

Operating Hours Per Week
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 126 (closed Sundays, 6am-10pm typical) | McDonald's: N/A

Employee Turnover Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 110% | McDonald's: N/A

Average Check-In Rating (Google/Yelp)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 4.5 | McDonald's: N/A

Classic Chicken Sandwich Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: $6.99 | McDonald's: $5.99
value reference: McDonald's

Operating Days Per Week
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 6 | McDonald's: 7
value reference: McDonald's

Average Meal Calorie Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: 580 | McDonald's: 740
value reference: Chick-fil-A

Average Starting Wage
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: $18.00 | McDonald's: $13.50
value reference: Chick-fil-A

Global Restaurant Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40,000+

2026 Revenue Growth
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: +3%

Beef Freshness
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen patties standard

Drive-Thru Technology Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: AI-powered order systems 2026

Average Burger Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $5-7

Menu Item Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Standard options

New Restaurant Openings 2026
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Expansion planned

Chicken Sandwich Quality Focus
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Standard offerings

Value Meal Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: £3.89

Beef Freshness Standard
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen beef (100% beef)

New Menu Items Per Year
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 2-3 items

Drive-Thru Technology (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: AI voice-activated with accuracy scaling

New Location Expansion (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 8,000 new locations planned

Restaurant Design Innovation
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Optimized drive-thru layout

Price Advantage for Value Seekers
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 105% cheaper than Wendy's

Annual Corporate Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $23.2B

Franchisee Average Unit Volume
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $2,900

Initial Franchise Investment
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $1.3 - $2.2 million

Big Mac / Whopper Calories
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 563 cal (Big Mac)

Global Brand Awareness
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 97%

Loyalty Program Members
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40M+ (McDonald's Rewards)

Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: ~200 menu variations

Global Market Presence
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 100+

Breakfast Revenue Contribution
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 35%

Mobile Loyalty Program Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 50M+

Menu Item Categories
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: All-day breakfast/lunch/dinner

Brand Unaided Awareness (US)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 69%

Average Customer Service Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 3-5

Average Burger Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $8.50-10.50

Menu Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 5/10

Countries with Presence
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 100+ countries

Digital Ordering Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 80%

Annual System-Wide Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $23.2 billion

Average Check Size
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $9.42

US Brand Awareness (Unaided)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 93% of US consumers

Gen Z Customer Preference
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 28% of customer base

Total Global Restaurants
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40,575

Average Unit Volume (AUV)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $2,700

Countries of Operation
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 100+

Signature Burger Price (USD)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $5.99 (Big Mac)

Average Service Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 3-4 minutes

Franchise Startup Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $1,000-$2,300

Annual Global Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $23.2 billion

Total Global Restaurant Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40,275

Mobile App Daily Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 28M DAU

Franchise Startup Investment Range
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $1.6M - $2.3M

Breakfast Menu Item Count
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 12+ items

Primary Burger Cooking Method
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Griddle-cooked (consistent)

Global Brand Awareness (Unaided)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 97%

Number of Locations Worldwide
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40,576

Annual Revenue (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $23.2B

Average Menu Item Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $9.75

Average Google Review Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 3.8

Breakfast Menu Items
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 15+

Locations Open Past Midnight
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 62%

Mobile App Loyalty Members
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40+ (McDonald's Rewards)

Average Unit Volume Per Location
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $2.7M

Market Capitalization
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $195B

Brand Recognition (Global)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 68%

Breakfast Availability Hours
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 24 hours (all-day breakfast)

Social Media Followers (Twitter/X)
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 26.3M

Average Beverage Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 12

Average Transaction Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $10-14

Mobile App Order Penetration
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 29%

Number of Locations
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 40,275

Brand Value Ranking
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: $196.5 billion

Signature Burger Calories
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 550 (Big Mac)

Average Order Fulfillment Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 3-4 minutes

Beef Quality Grade
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Frozen beef patties

Menu Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: Limited (15-20 burger variations)

International Country Presence
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 150+ countries

Average Burger Calorie Content
type: PropertyValue
value: Chick-fil-A: N/A | McDonald's: 550 cal (Big Mac)

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
xpath: //*[@id='verdict']

Chick-fil-A — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

McDonald's — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/chick-fil-a-vs-mcdonalds
object: Chick-fil-A
object: McDonald's

Beef Freshness
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ingredient Quality

Drive-Thru Technology Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Innovation

Average Burger Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Value & Pricing

Menu Item Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Flexibility

New Restaurant Openings 2026
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Expansion

Chicken Sandwich Quality Focus
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Quality

Value Meal Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Beef Freshness Standard
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Quality

New Menu Items Per Year
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Menu Innovation

Drive-Thru Technology (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technology & Innovation

New Location Expansion (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth & Expansion

Restaurant Design Innovation
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Experience

Price Advantage for Value Seekers
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing Comparison

Annual Corporate Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Franchisee Average Unit Volume
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Franchise Economics

Initial Franchise Investment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Startup Cost

Big Mac / Whopper Calories
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Nutrition

Global Brand Awareness
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Marketing

Loyalty Program Members
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customer Engagement

Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Menu Flexibility

Global Market Presence
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Distribution

Breakfast Revenue Contribution
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Revenue Mix

Mobile Loyalty Program Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customer Engagement

Menu Item Categories
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Offering

Brand Unaided Awareness (US)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Strength

Average Customer Service Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Operational Efficiency

Average Burger Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Menu Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Flexibility

Countries with Presence
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Global Reach

Digital Ordering Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technology Integration

Annual System-Wide Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Average Check Size
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Revenue Per Transaction

US Brand Awareness (Unaided)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Strength

Gen Z Customer Preference
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Demographic Appeal

Total Global Restaurants
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Operations

Average Unit Volume (AUV)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Countries of Operation
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scale

Signature Burger Price (USD)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Average Service Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Convenience

Franchise Startup Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial

Annual Global Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Total Global Restaurant Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scale & Reach

Mobile App Daily Active Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Digital Engagement

Franchise Startup Investment Range
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Investment

Breakfast Menu Item Count
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Offerings

Primary Burger Cooking Method
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Quality

Global Brand Awareness (Unaided)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Strength

Number of Locations Worldwide
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scale & Reach

Annual Revenue (2024)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Average Menu Item Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Average Google Review Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customer Satisfaction

Breakfast Menu Items
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Menu

Locations Open Past Midnight
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Availability

Mobile App Loyalty Members
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customer Engagement

Average Unit Volume Per Location
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Location Profitability

Market Capitalization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Financial Performance

Brand Recognition (Global)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Strength

Breakfast Availability Hours
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Service Hours

Social Media Followers (Twitter/X)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Digital Engagement

Average Beverage Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Menu

Average Transaction Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Mobile App Order Penetration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Technology

Number of Locations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Market Reach

Brand Value Ranking
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Brand Strength

Signature Burger Calories
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Nutrition

Average Order Fulfillment Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Service Quality

Beef Quality Grade
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ingredient Quality

Menu Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Product Variety

International Country Presence
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Global Reach

Average Burger Calorie Content
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Nutrition