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McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX)

This page compares McDonald's (MCD) with Starbucks (SBUX) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

McDonald's (MCD) and Starbucks (SBUX) are both classified in the Restaurants sub-industry within the broader Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolMCDSBUX
NameMcDonald's CorporationStarbucks Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
GICS Industry GroupConsumer ServicesConsumer Services
GICS IndustryHotels, Restaurants & LeisureHotels, Restaurants & Leisure
GICS Sub-IndustryRestaurantsRestaurants
Market Capitalization200.54 billion USD111.02 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateJuly 5, 1966June 26, 1992
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

McDonald's (MCD) at 22.89 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Starbucks (SBUX) at 74.36 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated trailing earnings multiple for SBUX relative to peers.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

22.89

Max
66.67
Q3
37.09
Median
21.13
Q1
16.48
Min
3.88

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

74.36

Max
66.67
Q3
37.09
Median
21.13
Q1
16.48
Min
3.88
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Starbucks (SBUX) at 2.89 prices around its industry’s typical Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while McDonald's (MCD) at 7.31 clears its benchmark range — MCD looks notably rich on sales.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

7.31

Max
6.16
Q3
3.15
Median
1.76
Q1
0.86
Min
0.06

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

2.89

Max
6.16
Q3
3.15
Median
1.76
Q1
0.86
Min
0.06
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Both McDonald's (MCD) at -155.94 and Starbucks (SBUX) at -13.11 report negative Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) values, meaning both companies have negative book equity — neither multiple is meaningful for valuation.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

-155.94

Max
13.34
Q3
6.25
Median
2.50
Q1
1.07
Min
-5.73

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

-13.11

Max
13.34
Q3
6.25
Median
2.50
Q1
1.07
Min
-5.73
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)22.8974.36
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)7.312.89
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)-155.94-13.11
Free Cash Flow Yield2.97%-1.17%

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Neither McDonald's (MCD) nor Starbucks (SBUX) reports a Return on Equity (TTM) value for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

--

Max
52.89%
Q3
29.23%
Median
12.95%
Q1
2.49%
Min
-22.60%

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

--

Max
52.89%
Q3
29.23%
Median
12.95%
Q1
2.49%
Min
-22.60%
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

McDonald's (MCD) at 31.62% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Starbucks (SBUX) at 3.89% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

31.62%

Max
24.47%
Q3
12.45%
Median
6.19%
Q1
1.10%
Min
-15.48%

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

3.89%

Max
24.47%
Q3
12.45%
Median
6.19%
Q1
1.10%
Min
-15.48%
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

McDonald's (MCD) at 44.25% operates in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile, ahead of Starbucks (SBUX) at 8.42%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

44.25%

Max
44.25%
Q3
19.86%
Median
11.37%
Q1
3.33%
Min
-20.31%

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

8.42%

Max
44.25%
Q3
19.86%
Median
11.37%
Q1
3.33%
Min
-20.31%
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
Return on Equity (TTM)----
Return on Assets (TTM)13.56%7.38%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)31.62%3.89%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)44.25%8.42%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)57.35%21.90%

Growth

Revenue Growth

McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
1-Year Revenue Growth3.72%2.79%
3-Year Revenue CAGR5.06%4.86%

EPS Growth

McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
1-Year EPS Growth4.92%-50.76%
3-Year EPS CAGR12.78%-16.80%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both McDonald's (MCD) at 1.14 and Starbucks (SBUX) at 0.92 carry Current Ratio (MRQ) within their industry mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

1.14

Max
3.05
Q3
1.69
Median
0.99
Q1
0.70
Min
0.20

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

0.92

Max
3.05
Q3
1.69
Median
0.99
Q1
0.70
Min
0.20
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Neither McDonald's (MCD) nor Starbucks (SBUX) reports a Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) value for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

--

Max
7.23
Q3
3.25
Median
1.27
Q1
0.34
Min
0.01

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

--

Max
7.23
Q3
3.25
Median
1.27
Q1
0.34
Min
0.01
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.140.92
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)----
Net Debt / EBITDA3.614.21

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both McDonald's (MCD) at 2.64% and Starbucks (SBUX) at 2.55% report Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, indicating higher cash yield relative to share price than typical competitors.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

2.64%

Max
4.83%
Q3
1.99%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

2.55%

Max
4.83%
Q3
1.99%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Starbucks (SBUX) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 187.79% — outside the typical 0–100% range, indicating either negative earnings (negative ratio) or dividends above current-period earnings (above 100%), both signaling sustainability concerns. Meanwhile McDonald's (MCD) reports 59.85%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MCD

Consumer Services industry group

59.85%

Max
81.13%
Q3
35.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

SBUX

Consumer Services industry group

187.79%

Max
81.13%
Q3
35.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Consumer Services industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.64%2.55%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)59.85%187.79%

Performance & Risk

MCD
SBUX
Loading price history…
McDonald's (MCD) vs. Starbucks (SBUX): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolMCDSBUX
1-Year Return-7.43%8.57%
1-Year Volatility16.66%28.55%
Beta0.410.99
3-Month Avg. Volume3.64M7.80M