McDonald's

McDonald's Corporation is the world's leading global foodservice retailer and one of the most iconic brands in history. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, and transformed into a franchise empire by Ray Kroc beginning in 1955, McDonald's has revolutionized the restaurant industry with its efficient service model and consistent quality. As of 2024, McDonald's operates over 40,275 restaurants across more than 100 countries, serving more than 70 million customers daily. The company achieved $25.91 billion in consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2024, with a market capitalization exceeding $200 billion.

McDonald's business model is unique in that it operates both as a fast-food chain and a real estate company. The corporation owns or leases the land and buildings for franchised locations, earning revenue from rent, royalties, and fees from franchisees (approximately 95% of restaurants are franchise-operated), as well as sales in company-owned restaurants. This franchise-heavy model has enabled rapid global expansion while maintaining quality standards through the company's rigorous franchise requirements and support systems. McDonald's holds a commanding 25.2% market share of the fast-food industry as of Q1 2024, positioning it as a clear leader in the quick-service restaurant sector.

The company's strategic vision, \"Accelerating the Arches,\" focuses on digital transformation, menu innovation, and market share growth. McDonald's has emerged as a digital leader in the restaurant industry, with digital sales growing from $7 billion (7% of total sales) in 2018 to $28 billion (35% of total sales) by 2022. The company deployed a universal software platform in 2024 that powers all customer touchpoints—from the mobile app to loyalty programs and in-store kiosks. Through its partnership with Google Cloud, McDonald's is implementing edge computing across thousands of restaurants worldwide, enabling faster innovation deployment and enhanced operational efficiency.

McDonald's demonstrates strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire business by 2050, with science-based interim targets for 2030. As of 2024, McDonald's achieved a 12% reduction in Scope 1 emissions, 68% reduction in Scope 2 emissions, and 3% reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to the 2018 baseline. The company is approximately 90.93% of the way toward its goal of sourcing 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025. McDonald's also maintains deep community connections through Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), which provides support to families with sick children globally. Under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski, McDonald's continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its position as an industry pioneer in technology, sustainability, and customer experience.