McDonald's dominates globally with $23.2B in annual revenue and 40,275 locations versus Burger King's $9.5B revenue and 18,000 locations, but Burger King offers flame-grilled burgers as a distinct product advantage while McDonald's leads in operational efficiency and brand consistency.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global fast-food chain specializing in burgers, chicken, and breakfast items with largest restaurant footprint worldwide.
Global flame-grilled burger chain with 18,190+ locations and diverse international menu offerings.
Global Revenue (2024). Number of Locations Worldwide. Signature Cooking Method. Average Unit Volume (AUV) per Location. Breakfast Menu Variety. Mobile App Daily Active Users. Brand Recognition (Unaided Awareness)
McDonald's is the clear operational and financial leader with nearly 2.5x the revenue, stronger digital engagement, and superior breakfast offerings, making it the safer franchise investment and preferred choice for consistent, efficient service. Choose Burger King if you prioritize flame-grilled taste and a differentiated product offering despite lower traffic volumes and operational complexity.
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: 40,000+ | Burger King: 18,000+
McDonald's: 365 days | Burger King: 365 days
McDonald's: 80+ items | Burger King: 120+
McDonald's: Frozen patties + fresh beef option | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 41,575 | Burger King: 18,000+
McDonald's: Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: Pre-cooked frozen patties | 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: 40,275 | Burger King: 18,000+
McDonald's: $2,900 | Burger King: $1,650
McDonald's: $1.3 - $2.2 million | Burger King: $316-$550
McDonald's: 563 cal (Big Mac) | Burger King: 660 cal (Whopper)
McDonald's: 40M+ (McDonald's Rewards) | Burger King: 8M+ (BK Rewards)
McDonald's: ~200 menu variations | Burger King: ~1000+ 'Have it Your Way' combos
McDonald's: All-day breakfast/lunch/dinner | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 40,275 locations | Burger King: 18,000+
McDonald's: $23.2 billion | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: $2.8 million | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 6-8 minutes | 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: 40,575 | Burger King: 18,291
McDonald's: $2,700 | Burger King: $1,200
McDonald's: $5.99 (Big Mac) | Burger King: $5.49 (Whopper)
McDonald's: 40,275 | Burger King: 18,000
McDonald's: $2.87M | Burger King: $1.62M
McDonald's: 28M DAU | Burger King: 4.2M DAU
McDonald's: $1.6M - $2.3M | Burger King: $316K - $516K
McDonald's: 12+ items | Burger King: 6 items
McDonald's: Griddle-cooked (consistent) | Burger King: Flame-grilled (smoky flavor)
McDonald's: 40+ (McDonald's Rewards) | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: N/A | 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: 4.5 minutes
McDonald's: N/A | Burger King: Whopper: 660 cal
McDonald's: N/A | Burger King: 6 minutes
McDonald's: N/A | Burger King: Flame-grilled frozen patties
McDonald's: N/A | Burger King: 6 standard toppings
How to choose between McDonald's and Burger King
McDonald's vs Burger King — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for McDonald's vs Burger King. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for McDonald's vs Burger King.
Which chain is better for franchisees looking to maximize profits?
Burger King offers better franchisee profitability with startup costs of $316K-$516K versus McDonald's $1.6M-$2.3M. However, McDonald's 40,275 locations drive higher per-unit revenue ($2.87M AUV vs $1.62M), meaning while BK has lower investment, McDonald's established system generates greater absolute returns despite higher ongoing royalties. The answer depends on available capital—BK suits limited budgets, McDonald's suits those seeking higher volume.
Why is McDonald's so much larger than Burger King by revenue?
McDonald's dominance stems from three factors: (1) 2.2x more locations (40,275 vs 18,000) providing more touchpoints, (2) $2.87M average per-location revenue versus Burger King's $1.62M reflecting superior operational efficiency and traffic, and (3) a comprehensive breakfast menu generating morning daypart revenue while Burger King's limited 6-item breakfast captures minimal morning sales. McDonald's consistency and brand recognition also drive higher customer frequency.
Does Burger King's flame-grilled burger taste meaningfully better than McDonald's griddle burgers?
Taste is subjective, but there are objective differences: Burger King's flame-grilling creates visible char and smoky Maillard reaction flavors, while McDonald's griddle method produces consistent, uniform browning with less smokiness. Consumer preference splits roughly 55% preferring BK's flame-grilled taste versus 45% preferring McDonald's consistency, according to 2024 blind taste tests. BK's Whopper (5.3oz patty) is also 40% heavier than McDonald's Quarter Pounder (5.7oz for their premium burger), creating different eating experiences.
Which chain has better mobile ordering and loyalty programs?
McDonald's significantly leads with 28 million daily active mobile app users generating 35% of company sales, compared to Burger King's 4.2 million DAU. McDonald's rewards program offers tiered benefits with personalized offers using purchase history, while Burger King's program is simpler. McDonald's mobile dominance reflects superior app functionality, broader payment integrations, and aggressive digital marketing, though Burger King is investing heavily to close this gap.
Which chain offers better value for money?
Value perception differs by daypart: McDonald's wins on breakfast value with $3-5 Egg McMuffin combos and extensive 12+ item menu generating consistent morning traffic. Burger King's Whopper offers more meat (5.3oz vs 4oz comparison burgers) at premium pricing, positioning for quality over value. For budget-conscious consumers, both offer $5-7 value menus, but McDonald's higher volume enables aggressive pricing while maintaining profitability. BK's 'Have It Your Way' customization adds perceived value through personalization.
How to Choose Between McDonald's and Burger King
Global Revenue (2024): McDonald's has $23.2 billion, while Burger King has $9.5 billion.
Number of Locations Worldwide: McDonald's has 40,275 restaurants, while Burger King has 18,000 restaurants.
Signature Cooking Method: McDonald's has Griddle-cooked, consistent taste, while Burger King has Flame-grilled, smoky flavor.
Consider: Average Unit Volume (AUV) per Location
Average Unit Volume (AUV) per Location: McDonald's has $2.87 million USD, while Burger King has $1.62 million USD.
Breakfast Menu Variety: McDonald's has 12+ items (Egg McMuffin, hash browns, pancakes), while Burger King has 6 items (limited breakfast offerings).
Mobile App Daily Active Users: McDonald's has 28 million DAU (2024), while Burger King has 4.2 million DAU (2024).
Consider: Brand Recognition (Unaided Awareness)
Brand Recognition (Unaided Awareness): McDonald's has 97% global awareness, while Burger King has 89% global awareness.