Standing as one of the most recognizable and profitable restaurant chains in history, McDonald’s trademark menu items have made it an icon of American fast food throughout the world.
McDonald’s has more than 40,000 locations in more than 100 countries, with the majority of its restaurants being franchised. The fast-food chain caters to its international locations by offering unique options in each country, such as a shrimp burger in Japan and the vegetarian McAloo Tikki Burger in India.

In recent years, meal deals with celebrities such as Travis Scott, Cardi B and Saweetie have kept the brand in the cultural spotlight while driving traffic.
The Chicago-based company launched beverage-focused spinoff, CosMc’s, named for an ‘80s character that appeared in McDonald’s commercials, in early 2024. The small-format concept will first be tested in a handful of sites.