Mirror Review
February 12, 2026
McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast food chain known for Big Macs, fries, and its global franchise network, has released its full-year financial results.
McDonald’s Earnings 2025 report shows that revenue reached $26.885 billion, and its franchise-heavy model continues to drive most of its income.
This article breaks down the key numbers, what changed from last year, and why these results matter.
McDonald’s Revenue 2025 at a Glance
Here are the most important figures from McDonald’s 2025 results:
| Metric | 2025 Result | Year Over Year Change |
| Total Revenue | $26.885B | +4% |
| Franchised Revenue | $16.548B | +5% |
| Company-Owned Revenue | $9.690B | -1% |
| Other Revenue | $647M | +53% |
Franchise Growth Leads McDonald’s Earnings 2025
The strongest performing segment was Franchised Restaurants, which generated $16.548 billion, up 5% from last year.
McDonald’s operates more than 95% of its restaurants under the franchise model, as noted in its 2024-25 Purpose and Impact report.
This matters because franchised restaurants produce higher margins. Instead of running every store itself, McDonald’s collects rent and royalties from franchisees. That reduces operating risk and stabilizes cash flow.
In simple terms:
- Franchisees handle day-to-day operations.
- McDonald’s collects fees and rent.
- The company earns steady income with lower costs.
That asset-light structure explains why franchise revenue keeps growing even when company-owned restaurant revenue declines.
Company-Owned Sales Dip Slightly
Revenue from company-operated restaurants fell 1% to $9.690 billion. This decline reflects cost pressures and traffic variability in some markets.
However, since franchised restaurants make up the majority of the system, the impact on overall revenue was limited.
For investors, this confirms that clong-term strategy favors franchising expansion over owning more stores.
International Markets Also Contribute
Growth was not limited to the United States.
- International Operated Markets posted 5.2% same-store sales growth
- International Developmental Licensed Markets saw 4.5% growth
This global performance matters because McDonald’s operates across dozens of countries. Diversified growth reduces reliance on a single economy.
Value Strategy Wins Back Customers
McDonald’s leadership has warned for more than a year that low-income consumers were pulling back spending. In response, the company leaned into value.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said, “By listening to customers and taking action, we have improved traffic and strengthened our value and affordability scores.”
Key initiatives included:
- Relaunch of Extra Value Meals with roughly 15% discounts
- Promotional campaigns like the Grinch Meal
- The return of the Monopoly promotion
The McDonald’s Grinch Meal became a surprise hit. The company sold 50 million pairs of socks globally in just a few days, according to management. It also drove the company’s highest-ever single sales day, CFO Ian Borden said.
These promotions boosted traffic and lifted comparable sales, especially in the U.S.
Digital and Loyalty Strategy Driving Systemwide Sales
Beyond pure financials, McDonald’s 2025 results reflect the impact of digital transformation.
The company reported more than 150 million 90-day active loyalty users across over 60 markets.
This number is important for two reasons:
- Loyalty users tend to visit more often.
- App users usually spend more per order.
Digital ordering, app promotions, and personalized offers improve average check size and repeat visits. That supports comparable sales growth without relying only on price increases.
In plain terms, digital keeps customers coming back.
Expansion Plans and Capital Spending
Looking ahead, McDonald’s plans to spend between $3.7 billion and $3.9 billion in capital expenditures in 2026.
The company expects to:
- Open approximately 2,600 new locations
- Add about 2,100 net new restaurants
- Increase systemwide sales by roughly 2.5%, excluding currency effects
- Around 750 openings will be in the U.S. and internationally operated markets
- More than 1,800 restaurants will be opened by licensees and affiliates in other regions
This expansion aligns with the franchise-heavy model that supports long-term revenue growth.
Final Takeaway on McDonald’s Earnings 2025
McDonald’s Earnings 2025 confirm that a strong fourth quarter, effective value promotions, digital engagement, and continued franchise expansion all supported the year’s performance.
For a company that serves millions of customers daily, steady growth and disciplined execution matter more than rapid change.
The McDonald’s 2025 results show that their strategy of value, franchising, and global scale continues to work.
As McDonald’s moves into 2026 with expansion plans and new menu innovation, the foundation built in McDonald’s Earnings 2025 positions the brand for continued resilience and growth.
