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
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.
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
Burger King vs McDonald's — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Burger King vs McDonald's with 142 attributes.
Whipper/Quarter Pounder Beef Patty Weight
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%.