McDonald's (MCD) vs Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Restaurant Brands International (QSR) has outperformed McDonald's (MCD) over the past year, gaining 3.2% versus a loss of 22.1%. Over five years, QSR leads with a +13.1% price change compared with -4.7% for MCD. McDonald's is the larger company by market cap ($163.38 billion vs $31.81 billion), about 5.1 times the size, while Restaurant Brands International is growing revenue faster (+12.2% vs +3.7%).
On valuation, Restaurant Brands International trades at a lower forward P/E (15.7x vs 16.7x for McDonald's). Restaurant Brands International offers the higher dividend yield (3.66% vs 3.18%). McDonald's converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.9% versus 11.4%.
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 | MCD | QSR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.88 | $69.43 |
| Market cap | $163.38B | $31.81B |
| 1-day change | -0.68% | -1.15% |
| YTD return | -24.46% | +1.76% |
| 1-year return | -22.08% | +3.23% |
| 5-year return | -4.69% | +13.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.76 | 17.44 |
| Forward P/E | 16.75 | 15.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.31 | $3.98 |
| Dividend yield | 3.18% | 3.66% |
| Annual dividend | $7.35 | $2.54 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $26.89B | $9.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.72% | +12.23% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $8.56B | $1.07B |
| Operating margin | 46.10% | 23.34% |
| Net margin | 31.85% | 11.39% |
| 52-week high | $341.75 | $81.96 |
| 52-week low | $229.20 | $64.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -32.44% | -15.29% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +27.23% | +23.81% |
| Average volume | 4.99M | 2.77M |
| Shares outstanding | 707.64M | 348.76M |
| Employees | 150,000 | 53,500 |
| 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 5.1 times larger than Restaurant Brands International by market value ($163.38B vs $31.81B).
- QSR has outperformed MCD by 25.3 percentage points over the past year.
- McDonald's is more profitable, keeping 31.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 11.4 cents for Restaurant Brands International.
- Restaurant Brands International grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.23% vs +3.72%).
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
About Restaurant Brands International
QSR stock →Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 53,500 employees
MCD vs QSR FAQ
Which is bigger, McDonald's or Restaurant Brands International?
McDonald's (MCD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $163.38B compared with $31.81B for Restaurant Brands International (QSR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MCD or QSR?
QSR returned +3.23% 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, MCD or QSR?
QSR has the lower trailing P/E at 17.4, versus 18.8 for MCD. 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, McDonald's or Restaurant Brands International?
Restaurant Brands International has the higher yield at 3.66%, compared with 3.18% for McDonald's.
Are McDonald's and Restaurant Brands International in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.