McDonald's dominates globally with 40,000+ locations and higher profitability ($23.2B revenue), while Burger King differentiates through flame-grilling and customization but operates 18,000 locations with lower margins. McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food chain by revenue and scale, whereas Burger King competes on product quality and brand positioning.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
McDonald's wins for investors, franchisees, and those prioritizing consistency, scale, and profitability—it's the undisputed market leader with superior margins and 2.2x more locations. Choose Burger King if you value flame-grilled flavor, customization flexibility, and a smaller brand with more direct control over your franchise operations, though expect lower revenue potential and less brand ubiquity.
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.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for McDonald's vs Burger King with 120 attributes.
McDonald's vs Burger King — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for McDonald's vs Burger King.
Which fast-food chain is more profitable for franchisees?
McDonald's franchisees earn higher average unit volumes ($2.9M annually) compared to Burger King ($1.65M annually), resulting in 38% operating margins vs Burger King's 28%. However, McDonald's requires $1-2.2M initial investment versus Burger King's $316-550K, making Burger King accessible to capital-constrained entrepreneurs despite lower profit ceilings.
What's the difference between flame-grilled and McDonald's cooking method?
Burger King flame-grills patties over an open flame, creating a charred exterior and smoky flavor that Burger King emphasizes as superior taste. McDonald's uses a flat griddle for deep-fried cooking, producing consistent, faster results. Taste preference is subjective, but flame-grilling is associated with higher-quality burger restaurants, while griddle cooking enables McDonald's volume efficiency.
How many locations does each chain have and where are they strongest?
McDonald's operates 40,275 locations globally with 13,000+ in the US alone, dominating North America and Europe. Burger King has 18,438 locations with stronger penetration in Latin America (6,000+) and Europe (4,500+), but significantly fewer locations in developed markets limits competitive reach against McDonald's ubiquity.
Which has better customer loyalty programs?
McDonald's Rewards app boasts 40M+ active members with digital ordering integration, push notifications, and personalized offers driving repeat purchases. Burger King Rewards has 8M members with similar features but smaller scale. McDonald's program's 5x larger membership base creates stronger network effects and data advantages for targeted marketing.
The Big Mac (563 calories, 30g fat) is slightly lighter than the Whopper (660 calories, 40g fat), but both are high-calorie indulgences. Burger King offers more customization to reduce calories (remove mayo, add vegetables), while McDonald's has expanded salad and wraps. Neither is positioned as a health-focused option; moderation and customization matter more than brand choice.