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McDonald's vs Starbucks: who makes more money?
Starbucks is bigger: $37.2 billion in revenue against $26.9 billion for McDonald's, about 1.4 times as much. But McDonald's keeps more of each sale: $31.85 of every $100 versus $4.99. Across 5 rounds from their latest annual reports, McDonald's wins 3.
From each company's latest Form 10-K: McDonald's (year ended December 31, 2025) and Starbucks (year ended September 28, 2025). Page updated November 8, 2026.
Revenue Money coming in
Net profit After every cost and tax
Kept per $100 of sales Profit margin
Employees As each 10-K states it
Revenue per employee Revenue ÷ employees
Growth over 5 years Revenue, first to latest year shown
How each one makes its money.
McDonald'sMcDonald's mostly earns rent and royalties from franchisees who run the restaurants, plus sales from the restaurants it runs itself.
How McDonald's makes moneyStarbucksStarbucks makes money selling coffee and food in its own cafes, plus royalties from licensed stores and coffee sold in grocery stores.
How Starbucks makes moneyQuick answers.
Who makes more money, McDonald's or Starbucks?
Starbucks: $37.2 billion in revenue against $26.9 billion.
Which is more profitable, McDonald's or Starbucks?
McDonald's keeps more of each dollar ($31.85 of every $100). In total profit, McDonald's made more: $8.6 billion.
Which has more employees, McDonald's or Starbucks?
Starbucks, with about 381,000 against 150,000.
Sources: McDonald's Corporation Form 10-K and Starbucks Corporation Form 10-K on SEC EDGAR. Fiscal years can end in different months, so each side uses its own latest year. Profit means net income.