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food_and_drink

Chick-fil-A vs McDonald's 2026 Comparison

McDonald's operates 13,500+ US locations with lower prices and broader menu variety, while Chick-fil-A has 3,000+ locations focused on chicken with higher customer satisfaction scores (86 vs 74) and closed Sundays.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A

US-only fast-casual chicken chain with 3,000+ locations closed on Sundays

Customers prioritizing food quality, customer service, and willing to pay premium prices; US-based consumers who don't need Sunday access

Score63%
VS
M

McDonald's

Global fast-food giant with 40,000+ locations in 100+ countries

Value-conscious diners, travelers needing global consistency, those wanting menu variety and 24/7 access; international customers

Score63%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

McDonald's operates 13,500+ US locations with lower prices and broader menu variety, while Chick-fil-A has 3,000+ locations focused on chicken with higher customer satisfaction scores (86 vs 74) and closed Sundays.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose Chick-fil-A if you prioritize superior customer satisfaction (86 vs 74), fresh chicken preparation, and consistent quality despite limited menu and Sunday closures. Choose McDonald's if you value menu variety, convenience with 4.5x more locations, lower prices, and 24/7 availability across the globe.

Community feedback

Was this verdict helpful?

Chick-fil-A
6.7/10
McDonald's
8.3/10
M
Chick-fil-A

Choose Chick-fil-A if

Customers prioritizing food quality, customer service, and willing to pay premium prices; US-based consumers who don't need Sunday access

M

Choose McDonald's if

Best pick

Value-conscious diners, travelers needing global consistency, those wanting menu variety and 24/7 access; international customers

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • US Restaurant Count:McDonald's wins(13,573 locations vs 3,039 locations)
  • Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI):Chick-fil-A wins(86/100 vs 74/100)
  • Average Chicken Sandwich Price:McDonald's wins($6.79 vs $8.49)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

94 numeric metrics compared

MetricChick-fil-AMcDonald'sRatio
Number of Global Locations(restaurants)2,900+40,000+
Menu Item Count(items)15-2080+ items
2026 New Location Growth Target(locations)150-200 estimated8,000
Average Customer Transaction Time(minutes)4.5 minutes3.8 minutes
Global Store Locations(stores)40,000+3,000+
Average Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)$9.25$6.99
Annual Operating Days(days)365 days340 days
Price Premium vs. Competitor(percent)+38% higherbaseline
International Presence(countries)100+ countriesU.S. only
Signature Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)$4.59
U.S. Restaurant Locations(count)3,500+
Customer Satisfaction Score(/100 ACSI)84
Average Drive-Thru Wait Time(minutes)4.2
Order Accuracy Rate(%)99.2%
Annual U.S. Revenue(billion USD)$3.6B
Operating Days Per Year(days)260 days (closed Sundays)365 days
Chicken Sandwich Sodium Content(mg)940mg
Total Global Locations(restaurants)3,000+40,275
Annual Revenue per Restaurant(USD millions)$3.8M
Average Drive-Thru Speed(minutes)3.2 minutes
Signature Item Calories(calories)Chicken Sandwich: 440 cal
Average Meal Price(USD)$8.25
Customer Satisfaction Rating(percent positive)86%
Average Entree Price(USD)$8.50
Sodium per Standard Entree(mg)1,240mg
Core Menu Items(items)28 items
US Restaurant Locations(count)3,05213,000+
24-Hour Availability(percent of locations)0%
Average Wait Time(minutes)4.2 minutes
Global Restaurant Locations(locations)3,000+40,275
Average Transaction Time(minutes)3-46-8 minutes
Operating Days Per Week(days)6
Revenue Per Location (Annual)(USD millions)$2.7-3.2M
Repeat Customer Rate(percentage)78%
Average Entrée Price(USD)$9.25
US Location Count(locations)3,03913,573
Customer Satisfaction (ACSI)(score/100)8674
Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)$8.49$6.79
Drive-Thru Speed(minutes)4.3 min5.8 min
Menu Items Available(items)~25 items150+ items
Annual Revenue(billion USD)$14.3B$26B
Global Countries Served(countries)1 (USA only)100+
Average Employee Wage(USD/hour)$17.00$13.50
Global Restaurant Count(locations)40,000+40,000+
2026 Revenue Growth(percentage)+3%+3%
Average Burger Price(USD)$5-7$5-7
Value Meal Price(GBP)£3.89£3.89
New Menu Items Per Year(items)2-3 items2-3 items
New Location Expansion (2026)(locations)8,000 new locations planned8,000 new locations planned
Price Advantage for Value Seekers(percent cheaper)105% cheaper than Wendy's105% cheaper than Wendy's
Annual Corporate Revenue(USD billions)$23.2B$23.2B
Franchisee Average Unit Volume(USD thousands)$2,900$2,900
Initial Franchise Investment(USD millions)$1.3 - $2.2 million$1.3 - $2.2 million
Big Mac / Whopper Calories(calories)563 cal (Big Mac)563 cal (Big Mac)
Global Brand Awareness(percent)97%97%
Loyalty Program Members(millions)40M+ (McDonald's Rewards)40M+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Global Market Presence(Countries)100+100+
Breakfast Revenue Contribution(percent of annual revenue)35%35%
Mobile Loyalty Program Users(millions active users)50M+50M+
Brand Unaided Awareness (US)(percent)69%69%
Average Customer Service Time(minutes)3-53-5
Average Burger Price(USD)$8.50-10.50$8.50-10.50
Menu Customization Level(percentage of items customizable)40%40%
Countries with Presence(countries)150+150+
Digital Ordering Availability(percentage of locations)80%80%
Global Locations(number of restaurants)40,275 locations40,275 locations
Annual System-Wide Revenue(USD billions)$23.2 billion$23.2 billion
Average Unit Volume(USD millions per year)$2.8 million$2.8 million
Average Check Size(USD)$9.42$9.42
US Brand Awareness (Unaided)(percent)93% of US consumers93% of US consumers
Gen Z Customer Preference(percent of under-25 customers)28% of customer base28% of customer base
Total Global Restaurants(locations)40,57540,575
Average Unit Volume (AUV)(USD thousands)$2,700$2,700
Countries of Operation(countries)104104
Signature Burger Price (USD)(USD)$5.99 (Big Mac)$5.99 (Big Mac)
Average Service Time(minutes)4.24.2
Franchise Startup Cost(USD thousands)$1,006-$2,214$1,006-$2,214
Annual Global Revenue(USD Billions)$23.2B$23.2B
Total Global Restaurant Count(locations)40,27540,275
Mobile App Daily Active Users(millions)28M DAU28M DAU
Breakfast Menu Item Count(items)12+ items12+ items
Global Brand Awareness (Unaided)(percent)97%97%
Number of Locations Worldwide(restaurants)40,57640,576
Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions)$23.2B$23.2B
Average Menu Item Price(USD)$9.75$9.75
Average Google Review Rating(stars out of 5)3.83.8
Breakfast Menu Items(unique items)1818
Locations Open Past Midnight(percentage)62%62%
Mobile App Loyalty Members(millions)40+ (McDonald's Rewards)40+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Average Unit Volume Per Location(USD millions)$2.7M$2.7M
Market Capitalization(USD billions)$198B$198B
Brand Recognition (Global)(percent)68%68%
Breakfast Availability Hours(hours per day)24 hours (all-day breakfast)24 hours (all-day breakfast)
Social Media Followers (Twitter/X)(millions)26.3M26.3M

Sourced from publicly available data ·

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

Chick-fil-A
1Chick-fil-A
McDonald's leads
M
6McDonald's
  • US Restaurant Count

    Chick-fil-A

    3,039 locations

    McDonald's

    13,573 locations(winner)

  • Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI)

    Chick-fil-A

    86/100(winner)

    McDonald's

    74/100

  • Average Chicken Sandwich Price

    Chick-fil-A

    $8.49

    McDonald's

    $6.79(winner)

  • Operating Days Per Year

    Chick-fil-A

    358 days

    McDonald's

    365 days(winner)

  • Menu Item Count

    Chick-fil-A

    ~25 items

    McDonald's

    150+ items(winner)

  • Global Presence

    Chick-fil-A

    Only US (3,039)

    McDonald's

    100+ countries (40,000+)(winner)

  • Annual Revenue (2024)

    Chick-fil-A

    $14.3 billion

    McDonald's

    $26 billion(winner)

Full Comparison

Chick-fil-A
MMcDonald's
Number of Global Locations(restaurants)
2,900+
40,000+
Annual Operating Days(days)
365 days
340 days
Operating Days Per Year(days)
260 days (closed Sundays)
365 days
Total Global Locations(restaurants)
3,000+
40,275
US Restaurant Locations(count)
3,052
13,000+
Show 4 more attributes
Global Restaurant Locations(locations)
3,000+
40,275
Operating Days Per Week(days)
6
US Location Count(locations)
3,039
13,573
Locations Open Past Midnight(percentage)
62%
Menu Item Count(items)
15-20
80+ items
Menu Items Available(items)
~25 items
150+ items
2026 New Location Growth Target(locations)
150-200 estimated
8,000
New Restaurant Openings 2026(planned locations)
Expansion planned
Chicken Preparation Method
Hand-breaded fresh daily
Frozen patties + fresh beef option
Drive-Thru AI Technology
Mobile app + traditional ordering
Voice-activated with AI accuracy scaling
Drive-Thru Technology Level
AI-powered order systems 2026
Average Customer Transaction Time(minutes)
4.5 minutes
3.8 minutes
Average Transaction Time(minutes)
3-4
6-8 minutes
Global Store Locations(stores)
40,000+
3,000+
Quality Ranking (YouGov 2026)(ranking)
#1 overall quality
#1 fries only
Average Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)
$9.25
$6.99
Price Premium vs. Competitor(percent)
+38% higher
baseline
Signature Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)
$4.59
Average Meal Price(USD)
$8.25
Average Entree Price(USD)
$8.50
Show 5 more attributes
Average Entrée Price(USD)
$9.25
Value Meal Price(GBP)
£3.89
Average Burger Price(USD)
$8.50-10.50
Signature Burger Price (USD)(USD)
$5.99 (Big Mac)
Average Menu Item Price(USD)
$9.75
2025 Sales Tier(ranking)
Top 3 ($107B trifecta)
Top 3 ($107B trifecta)
Annual U.S. Revenue(billion USD)
$3.6B
International Presence(countries)
100+ countries
U.S. only
Global Countries Served(countries)
1 (USA only)
100+
Global Market Presence(Countries)
100+
Countries with Presence(countries)
150+
U.S. Restaurant Locations(count)
3,500+
Customer Satisfaction Score(/100 ACSI)
84
Chicken Source Standard(text)
Hand-breaded fresh daily, never frozen
Customer Satisfaction (ACSI)(score/100)
86
74
Average Drive-Thru Wait Time(minutes)
4.2
Order Accuracy Rate(%)
99.2%
Chicken Sandwich Sodium Content(mg)
940mg
Signature Item Calories(calories)
Chicken Sandwich: 440 cal
Sodium per Standard Entree(mg)
1,240mg
Big Mac / Whopper Calories(calories)
563 cal (Big Mac)
Annual Revenue per Restaurant(USD millions)
$3.8M
Revenue Per Location (Annual)(USD millions)
$2.7-3.2M
2026 Revenue Growth(percentage)
+3%
Annual Corporate Revenue(USD billions)
$23.2B
Annual System-Wide Revenue(USD billions)
$23.2 billion
Show 3 more attributes
Annual Global Revenue(USD Billions)
$23.2B
Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions)
$23.2B
Market Capitalization(USD billions)
$198B
Average Drive-Thru Speed(minutes)
3.2 minutes
Customer Satisfaction Rating(percent positive)
86%
Core Menu Items(items)
28 items
24-Hour Availability(percent of locations)
0%
Drive-Thru Speed(minutes)
4.3 min
5.8 min
Average Wait Time(minutes)
4.2 minutes
Repeat Customer Rate(percentage)
78%
Chicken Sandwich Price(USD)
$8.49
$6.79
Annual Revenue(billion USD)
$14.3B
$26B
Average Unit Volume (AUV)(USD thousands)
$2,700
Franchise Startup Cost(USD thousands)
$1,006-$2,214
Average Employee Wage(USD/hour)
$17.00
$13.50
Total Global Restaurants(locations)
40,575
Countries of Operation(countries)
104
Average Service Time(minutes)
4.2
Global Restaurant Count(locations)
40,000+
Global Locations(number of restaurants)
40,275 locations
Total Global Restaurant Count(locations)
40,275
Number of Locations Worldwide(restaurants)
40,576
Beef Freshness
Frozen patties standard
Average Burger Price(USD)
$5-7
Menu Item Customization Options(level)
Standard options
Chicken Sandwich Quality Focus
Standard offerings
Beef Freshness Standard
Frozen beef (100% beef)
Primary Burger Cooking Method
Griddle-cooked (consistent)
New Menu Items Per Year(items)
2-3 items
Drive-Thru Technology (2026)
AI voice-activated with accuracy scaling
New Location Expansion (2026)(locations)
8,000 new locations planned
Restaurant Design Innovation
Optimized drive-thru layout
Price Advantage for Value Seekers(percent cheaper)
105% cheaper than Wendy's
Franchisee Average Unit Volume(USD thousands)
$2,900
Initial Franchise Investment(USD millions)
$1.3 - $2.2 million
Global Brand Awareness(percent)
97%
Loyalty Program Members(millions)
40M+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Mobile Loyalty Program Users(millions active users)
50M+
Mobile App Loyalty Members(millions)
40+ (McDonald's Rewards)
Customization Options(combinations)
~200 menu variations
Breakfast Revenue Contribution(percent of annual revenue)
35%
Menu Item Categories(primary daypart focus)
All-day breakfast/lunch/dinner
Brand Unaided Awareness (US)(percent)
69%
US Brand Awareness (Unaided)(percent)
93% of US consumers
Global Brand Awareness (Unaided)(percent)
97%
Brand Recognition (Global)(percent)
68%
Average Customer Service Time(minutes)
3-5
Menu Customization Level(percentage of items customizable)
40%
Digital Ordering Availability(percentage of locations)
80%
Average Unit Volume(USD millions per year)
$2.8 million
Average Check Size(USD)
$9.42
Gen Z Customer Preference(percent of under-25 customers)
28% of customer base
Mobile App Daily Active Users(millions)
28M DAU
Social Media Followers (Twitter/X)(millions)
26.3M
Franchise Startup Investment Range(USD)
$1.6M - $2.3M
Breakfast Menu Item Count(items)
12+ items
Average Google Review Rating(stars out of 5)
3.8
Breakfast Menu Items(unique items)
18
Average Unit Volume Per Location(USD millions)
$2.7M
Breakfast Availability Hours(hours per day)
24 hours (all-day breakfast)

Pros & Cons

10 pros·6 cons across both

Chick-fil-A
M
Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A

+5-3

Pros

  • Highest customer satisfaction score in QSR industry (86/100 ACSI)
  • Fresh, never-frozen chicken prepared daily in-restaurant
  • Superior service speed averaging 4.3 minutes drive-thru time
  • Higher employee retention rates and wages averaging $17/hour
  • Focus on quality with selective menu limits food waste

Cons

  • Closed all Sundays limits convenience for weekend dining
  • 12-15% higher prices than competitors ($8.49 vs $6.79 sandwich)
  • Only operates in United States with no international expansion
M

McDonald's

+5-3

Pros

  • Lowest prices in category with combo meals averaging $8-10
  • Unmatched global availability in 100+ countries with 40,000+ locations
  • Extensive menu with 150+ items including breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts
  • 24/7 operation and consistent availability every day of year
  • Mobile app with exclusive deals and loyalty rewards

Cons

  • Lower customer satisfaction score (74/100) vs industry leaders
  • Frozen beef patties lack fresh quality perception vs competitors
  • Higher sodium content in most menu items (900-1,500mg per sandwich)

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. Founder Truett Cathy established a company policy in 1946 based on his Christian faith, allowing employees rest and family time. The policy remains core to company culture and hasn't changed despite growth. This limits access but maintains employee satisfaction at 86% vs industry average of 62%.

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