Aramark (ARMK) vs McDonald's (MCD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Aramark (ARMK) has outperformed McDonald's (MCD) over the past year, gaining 44.4% versus a loss of 22.1%. Over five years, ARMK leads with a +111.2% price change compared with -4.7% for MCD. McDonald's is the larger company by market cap ($167.77 billion vs $14.65 billion), about 11.5 times the size, while Aramark is growing revenue faster (+6.4% vs +3.7%).
On valuation, McDonald's trades at a lower forward P/E (17.2x vs 19.8x for Aramark). McDonald's offers the higher dividend yield (3.10% vs 0.86%). McDonald's converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.9% versus 1.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARMK | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $55.56 | $237.08 |
| Market cap | $14.65B | $167.77B |
| 1-day change | +0.25% | +2.69% |
| YTD return | +50.35% | -24.46% |
| 1-year return | +44.40% | -22.08% |
| 5-year return | +111.16% | -4.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.85 | 19.26 |
| Forward P/E | 19.76 | 17.20 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.43 | $12.31 |
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 3.10% |
| Annual dividend | $0.48 | $7.35 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $18.51B | $26.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.35% | +3.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $326.39M | $8.56B |
| Gross margin | 8.36% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.28% | 46.10% |
| Net margin | 1.76% | 31.85% |
| 52-week high | $62.65 | $341.75 |
| 52-week low | $35.07 | $229.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.32% | -30.63% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.29% | +23.91% |
| Average volume | 2.43M | 4.99M |
| Shares outstanding | 263.63M | 707.64M |
| Employees | 278,390 | 150,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- McDonald's is about 11.5 times larger than Aramark by market value ($167.77B vs $14.65B).
- ARMK has outperformed MCD by 66.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Aramark trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.9x vs 19.3x trailing P/E).
- McDonald's offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.10% vs 0.86%).
- McDonald's is more profitable, keeping 31.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.8 cents for Aramark.
About Aramark
ARMK stock →Aramark provides food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections clients in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Food and Support Services United States, and Food and Support Services International.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 278,390 employees
About McDonald's
MCD stock →McDonald's Corporation owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 150,000 employees
ARMK vs MCD FAQ
Which is bigger, Aramark or McDonald's?
McDonald's (MCD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $167.77B compared with $14.65B for Aramark (ARMK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARMK or MCD?
ARMK returned +44.40% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.08% for MCD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARMK or MCD?
MCD has the lower trailing P/E at 19.3, versus 38.9 for ARMK. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Aramark or McDonald's?
McDonald's has the higher yield at 3.10%, compared with 0.86% for Aramark.
Are Aramark and McDonald's in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.