How Many McDonald's Are There in the United States? (2026)

How Many McDonald's Are in the US?

As of early 2026, there are 13,786 McDonald's restaurants operating across the United States. McDonald's locations span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., making it one of the most geographically widespread fast food chains in the country. Whether you're in rural Montana or downtown Manhattan, there's almost certainly a McDonald's nearby.

That figure makes McDonald's the second-largest fast food chain by total US location count, trailing only Subway (16,177 locations). However, McDonald's dominates in revenue — each location generates an estimated $4 million per year, giving the chain an estimated US system-wide revenue of approximately $55.1 billion.

McDonald's Locations by State — Top 10

McDonald's store density varies significantly by state. The most populated states naturally have the highest concentration of McDonald's restaurants, but per-capita saturation tells a more nuanced story.

California and Texas together account for nearly 18% of all McDonald's locations in the country. Illinois — home to McDonald's corporate headquarters in Chicago — ranks fourth with 657 locations. Notably, Ohio punches above its population weight at fifth place, reflecting the Midwest's strong fast food culture.

How Does McDonald's Compare to Other Fast Food Chains?

While McDonald's is often thought of as the biggest fast food chain, it actually ranks second by location count. Here's how McDonald's stacks up against the other major fast food chains in the United States:

Subway leads with over 16,000 locations, but McDonald's generates far more revenue per store. With an average unit volume (AUV) of $4 million, a single McDonald's earns roughly 8 times what the average Subway location does ($490,000 AUV). Starbucks trails McDonald's by just 284 locations — making the race for second place extremely tight.

McDonald's Revenue: The Numbers Behind the Golden Arches

McDonald's isn't just large by location count — it's the highest-grossing fast food chain in the United States by a wide margin. With 13,786 locations each averaging $4 million in annual revenue, the estimated US system-wide revenue reaches approximately $55.1 billion.

For context, Starbucks — with nearly the same number of locations — generates an estimated $25.7 billion in US revenue, roughly half of McDonald's total. The difference comes down to McDonald's higher transaction volume, drive-thru efficiency, and broader menu that captures breakfast, lunch, and dinner dayparts.

Why McDonald's Location Count Matters

• Market saturation strategy — McDonald's has reached near-total geographic coverage in the US, with locations in all 51 state-level jurisdictions
• Franchise model dominance — Over 93% of US McDonald's are franchise-operated, allowing rapid expansion with lower corporate capital expenditure
• Drive-thru advantage — Approximately 70% of McDonald's revenue comes through drive-thru windows, a format that requires standalone locations rather than shared retail spaces
• Real estate portfolio — McDonald's owns or leases the land and buildings for most franchise locations, making it one of the largest commercial real estate holders in the US