The Business Study
McDonald's Corporation · MCDHow McDonald's makes money
McDonald's brought in $26.9 billion in revenue in 2025 and kept $8.6 billion as profit: $31.85 of every $100. Its biggest source of money was Big international markets, at $13.6 billion (51% of the total).
From McDonald's' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Page updated November 8, 2026.
Out of every $100 McDonald's took in, it kept
Where McDonald's' money comes from. 3 lines in its 10‑K.
Where the profit comes from. Operating profit by segment.
Operating profit (operating income) by the business segments McDonald's reports, before corporate costs not assigned to a segment.
6 years of McDonald's' revenue and profit.
Fiscal years as McDonald's reports them; the latest ended December 31, 2025. Profit is net income.
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How McDonald's Actually Makes Money
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Quick answers about McDonald's.
How does McDonald's make money?
McDonald's mostly earns rent and royalties from franchisees who run the restaurants, plus sales from the restaurants it runs itself. The biggest line in its latest 10-K is Big international markets ($13.6 billion).
How much money does McDonald's make a year?
$26.9 billion in revenue in 2025, and $8.6 billion in net profit. That's up 4% from the year before.
Is McDonald's profitable?
Yes. McDonald's made $8.6 billion in net profit in 2025, which is $31.85 of every $100 it took in.
How many employees does McDonald's have?
About 150,000 company employees (franchised restaurants hire their own staff) as of year-end 2025. That works out to $179,233 in revenue per employee.
Which part of McDonald's makes the most profit?
Big international markets, with $6.4 billion in operating profit in 2025.
Is McDonald's growing?
Yes. Revenue went from $19.2 billion in 2020 to $26.9 billion in 2025, up 40%.
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CompareSource: McDonald's Corporation, annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2026.
Revenue, profit and the breakdowns are the numbers the company reported in that filing (its XBRL data). Profit means net income; "operating profit" means operating income. Nothing on this page is estimated.