McDonald's

World's largest fast-food chain by revenue and number of locations; one of the top global advertisers by spend

McDonald's Corporation is the global leader in quick-service restaurants, serving tens of millions of customers daily through its iconic burger, fries, and breakfast offerings. Founded in 1940 and franchised from 1953, McDonald's has grown into one of the most recognized brands in the world, with approximately 95% of its restaurants operated by independent franchisees. The company generates revenue primarily through franchise royalties, rent, and company-operated restaurant sales. McDonald's is one of the largest advertisers globally, consistently ranking among the top spenders in paid media across television, digital, out-of-home, and social platforms. Its marketing campaigns — from 'I'm Lovin' It' to culturally resonant digital activations — are benchmarks in brand advertising. The company invests heavily in customer loyalty through its MyMcDonald's Rewards app, which has become a significant first-party data and CRM asset, enabling personalized marketing at scale. In recent years, McDonald's has accelerated its digital transformation, leveraging mobile ordering, delivery partnerships with Uber Eats and DoorDash, and AI-driven personalization to deepen customer engagement. Its Accelerating the Arches growth strategy emphasizes digital, delivery, and drive-through as core pillars, making McDonald's a major player in retail media adjacency and a key customer for advertising technology vendors, agencies, and media owners worldwide.