McDonald's dominates globally with $23.2B in annual revenue and 40,000+ locations, while Burger King operates 18,000+ locations with $6.5B in revenue. McDonald's leads in market share and brand recognition, but Burger King differentiates with flame-grilled burgers and customization options.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global fast-food chain specializing in burgers, fries, and quick service with 40,575 locations worldwide.
Second-largest burger chain with 18,000+ locations known for flame-grilled burgers and customization.
Global Revenue (Annual). Number of Locations Worldwide. Primary Cooking Method. Signature Product. Customization Options. Brand Value (2025). Average Transaction Time
McDonald's wins for accessibility, speed, and market dominance with nearly 3x the locations and 3.5x the revenue globally. Choose McDonald's if you prioritize consistency, loyalty programs (MyMcDonald's app), and quick service; choose Burger King if you prefer flame-grilled taste, customization freedom, and are willing to wait slightly longer.
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: Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: Frozen beef (100% beef) | 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: 40,575 | 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: 100+ countries | Burger King: 90+ countries
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: 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: $23.2B (2024) | Burger King: $6.5B
McDonald's: $2,700 | Burger King: $1,200
McDonald's: $5.99 (Big Mac) | Burger King: $5.49 (Whopper)
McDonald's: 3-4 minutes | Burger King: 4-5 minutes
McDonald's: $23.2 billion | Burger King: $6.5 billion
McDonald's: 40,275 | Burger King: 18,000
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: 24 hours (all-day breakfast) | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 150+ items | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 40,275 | Burger King: 18,000+
McDonald's: $196.5 billion | Burger King: $19.3 billion
McDonald's: 550 (Big Mac) | Burger King: 660 (Whopper)
McDonald's: 3-4 minutes | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: Frozen beef patties | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: Limited (15-20 burger variations) | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 150+ countries | Burger King: N/A
McDonald's: 550 cal (Big Mac) | 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 120 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.
McDonald's edges ahead nutritionally—the Big Mac (550 cal, 28g fat) contains 110 fewer calories and 12g less fat than the Whopper (660 cal, 40g fat). However, both are calorie-dense fast food. McDonald's offers more salad options (5 varieties), while Burger King focuses on customization to reduce sodium/fat by request.
McDonald's MyMcDonald's app (100M+ downloads) offers point-based rewards, free items at thresholds, and exclusive daily deals. Burger King's Royal Perks app personalizes offers based on purchase history and provides 1% cashback. McDonald's has broader integration with delivery apps; Burger King's rewards tier faster for frequent visitors.
Burger King flame-grills patties over open flame, creating a charred exterior and smoky flavor. McDonald's deep-fries and uses heat lamps, producing a consistent but less charred taste. The flame-grilling method is intentional branding ('flame-grilled, not fried') but takes 25-33% longer to prepare.
McDonald's added 1,500+ locations annually (2020-2024) but focuses on mature markets and tech integration. Burger King franchises are growing in emerging markets (India, Brazil) due to lower startup costs ($250K-$550K vs. McDonald's $1M-$2.3M), making it faster-growing in developing nations.
Which is better for franchise opportunities?
Burger King requires significantly lower initial investment ($250K-$550K) and offers faster ROI in developing markets. McDonald's demands $1M-$2.3M upfront but provides superior brand recognition, higher average unit volumes ($2.8M annually), and proven operational systems—better for established entrepreneurs.
How to Choose Between McDonald's and Burger King
Global Revenue (Annual): McDonald's has $23.2 billion, while Burger King has $6.5 billion.
Number of Locations Worldwide: McDonald's has 40,275 restaurants, while Burger King has 18,000+ restaurants.
Primary Cooking Method: McDonald's has Deep-fried, heat-lamp warming, while Burger King has Flame-grilled over open flame.
Signature Product: McDonald's has Big Mac (550 cal, 28g fat), while Burger King has Whopper (660 cal, 40g fat).
Customization Options: McDonald's has Limited (have it your way restricted), while Burger King has High ('Have it Your Way' policy).
Brand Value (2025): McDonald's has $196.5 billion, while Burger King has $19.3 billion.
Average Transaction Time: McDonald's has 3-4 minutes, while Burger King has 4-5 minutes.