McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food chain by revenue ($23.2B annually) with a focus on burgers and breakfast, while Taco Bell leads the Mexican-inspired QSR segment with $2.3B in US sales and lower average meal costs. McDonald's has broader global presence in 100+ countries, while Taco Bell dominates value-focused dining in North America.
McDonald's vs Taco Bell — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest fast-food chain by revenue, known for consistency and low prices
Leading Mexican-inspired quick-service restaurant chain known for customizable menu and value pricing.
Global Revenue (Annual). Number of Locations Worldwide. Average Meal Cost (US). Menu Diversity. Calorie Range (Typical Meal). Countries of Operation. Customer Satisfaction Score (2025)
Choose McDonald's if you prioritize global consistency, breakfast options, or international travel convenience—it dominates worldwide with proven operational excellence. Choose Taco Bell if you seek innovative Mexican-inspired cuisine, lower meal prices, higher customer satisfaction ratings, and value-focused dining with late-night availability in North America.
McDonald's: Frozen patties standard | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: AI-powered order systems 2026 | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Standard options | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Expansion planned | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Standard offerings | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Frozen patties + fresh beef option | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Frozen beef (100% beef) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 3.8 minutes | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: AI voice-activated with accuracy scaling | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 8,000 new locations planned | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Optimized drive-thru layout | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 105% cheaper than Wendy's | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: #1 fries only | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Top 3 ($107B trifecta) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $1.3 - $2.2 million | Taco Bell: $0.3 - $0.8 million
McDonald's: 563 cal (Big Mac) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 40M+ (McDonald's Rewards) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: ~200 menu variations | Taco Bell: 12 per item
McDonald's: All-day breakfast/lunch/dinner | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $8.50-10.50 | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 100+ countries | Taco Bell: 3-5
McDonald's: 40,275 locations | Taco Bell: 8,647 locations
McDonald's: $23.2 billion | Taco Bell: $4.1 billion
McDonald's: $2.8 million | Taco Bell: $1.1 million
McDonald's: 4-5 | Taco Bell: 4-6 minutes
McDonald's: 93% of US consumers | Taco Bell: 78% of US consumers
McDonald's: 28% of customer base | Taco Bell: 42% of customer base
McDonald's: 100+ countries | Taco Bell: 8 countries
McDonald's: $5.99 (Big Mac) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 3-4 minutes | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $1,000-$2,300 | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $1.6M - $2.3M | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Griddle-cooked (consistent) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 40+ (McDonald's Rewards) | Taco Bell: 22+ (Taco Bell Rewards)
McDonald's: 24 hours (all-day breakfast) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $196.5 billion | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 550 (Big Mac) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Frozen beef patties | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 150+ countries | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: 550 cal (Big Mac) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: $23.2 billion | Taco Bell: $2.3 billion (US only)
McDonald's: 41,025 locations | Taco Bell: 8,316 locations
McDonald's: 150 items | Taco Bell: 180 items
McDonald's: 975 calories | Taco Bell: 800 calories
McDonald's: 4.5 minutes | Taco Bell: 5.2 minutes
McDonald's: Not flame-grilled | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: Limited (10-15 combinations) | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: #10 globally | Taco Bell: N/A
Whipper/Quarter Pounder Beef Patty Weight
McDonald's: 1.6 oz beef | Taco Bell: N/A
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: Part of Yum! Brands
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: Market share gains
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: Subsidiary of Yum! Brands
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: Value-oriented QSR
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: 410 (crunchwrap supreme)
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: 1,960mg (average item)
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: 18g (crunchwrap)
McDonald's: N/A | Taco Bell: 20% fresh ingredients
How to choose between McDonald's and Taco Bell
McDonald's vs Taco Bell — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for McDonald's vs Taco Bell. Contains 129 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
McDonald's vs Taco Bell — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for McDonald's vs Taco Bell.
Taco Bell is 32% cheaper on average: a typical meal costs $8.50 vs McDonald's $12.50. Taco Bell's value menu offers items under $2, while McDonald's cheapest options start around $3.50. For budget-conscious consumers, Taco Bell provides better value without compromising portion size.
Taco Bell offers lower-calorie meals (650-950 cal range) compared to McDonald's (850-1100 cal). Both chains now display nutritional information prominently. Taco Bell's customization allows users to reduce calories through substitutions; McDonald's salad options (320-390 cal) are similarly healthy but less popular. Neither is a health-focused choice, but Taco Bell edges ahead for lighter options.
Can I find these restaurants internationally?
McDonald's operates in 100+ countries worldwide, making it globally accessible in virtually every major city. Taco Bell operates in only 8 countries (primarily US, UK, India, Spain, Canada). For international travelers, McDonald's offers unmatched convenience; Taco Bell remains primarily a North American brand.
Taco Bell leads with 79% customer satisfaction vs McDonald's 73% (2025 data). Taco Bell scores higher for customization options, value, and late-night service. McDonald's scores higher for consistency and breakfast offerings. This 6-point gap reflects growing consumer preference for value and customization over global standardization.
Taco Bell dominates late-night service: 65% of US locations operate 24 hours or until midnight, with peak late-night sales generating 18% of daily revenue. McDonald's has limited 24-hour locations (approximately 8% of US franchises), making Taco Bell the clear choice for midnight to 6am dining.
How to Choose Between McDonald's and Taco Bell
Global Revenue (Annual): McDonald's has $23.2 billion, while Taco Bell has $2.3 billion (US only).
Number of Locations Worldwide: McDonald's has 41,000+ restaurants, while Taco Bell has 8,300+ restaurants.
Average Meal Cost (US): McDonald's has $11-14, while Taco Bell has $7-10.
Menu Diversity: McDonald's has 150+ items (burgers, chicken, salads, breakfast), while Taco Bell has 180+ items (tacos, burritos, specialty items, breakfast).
Calorie Range (Typical Meal): McDonald's has 850-1100 calories, while Taco Bell has 650-950 calories.
Countries of Operation: McDonald's has 100+ countries, while Taco Bell has 8 countries.
Consider: Customer Satisfaction Score (2025)
Customer Satisfaction Score (2025): McDonald's has 73% satisfaction rating, while Taco Bell has 79% satisfaction rating.