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MCD
McDonald's Corporation · Consumer Discretionary - Quick Service Restaurants
$278.61
-0.78% this month
VERSUS
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WEN
The Wendy's Company · Consumer Discretionary - Quick Service Restaurants
$6.80
-14.71% this month
Scoreboard verdict
Across AI score, momentum, valuation, upside, operating margin
MCD
3
WEN
1
Comparison scoreboard
MCD LEADS 3/5AI Score
MCD ✓49.1
WEN 24.7
1Y Return
MCD ✓-4.69%
WEN -35.84%
Fwd P/E
MCD 19.59
WEN ✓10.61
Target Up.
MCD ✓+18.91%
WEN +15.26%
Op. Margin
MCD 44.25%
WEN N/A
Metrics last refreshed: 6/22/2026
Quick take
MCD vs WEN Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
MCD is the world's largest and most dominant QSR chain with unmatched scale, global presence, and franchising model strength, while WEN is a well-regarded mid-size U.S. QSR with differentiated fresh beef positioning but significantly smaller scale. Both operate predominantly franchised models but at very different levels of global reach and competitive resources.
MCD vs WEN compares the world's dominant QSR franchise against a strong challenger brand, both using the franchising model but with dramatically different scale, global exposure, and competitive positioning.
Live analysis · updated 6/22/2026
MCD holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. MCD has delivered stronger 1-year price return (-4.69% vs -35.84%), though WEN trades at the lower forward P/E (10.61x vs 19.59x). Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for MCD (+18.91%) than for WEN (+15.26%).
Normalized 1Y performance
MCD
WEN
Recent returns
MCD
WEN
Analyst price targets & sentiment
MCD · 28 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Buy (2.1/5.0)
Price target range
analyst low$300.00
analyst high$364.00
analyst mean$331.29
current price$278.61
+18.9% upside to analyst mean
WEN · 20 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Hold (3.0/5.0)
Price target range
analyst low$5.00
analyst high$13.00
analyst mean$7.84
current price$6.80
+15.3% upside to analyst mean
Who should consider this stock?
MCD may suit investors who:
- →Want exposure to the world's largest restaurant franchise with global brand dominance
- →Value McDonald's extraordinarily stable royalty income stream from its vast franchised network
- →Appreciate MCD's Dividend Aristocrat status and long history of consistent capital returns
WEN may suit investors who:
- →Want QSR exposure at a potentially lower valuation than the industry's dominant leader
- →Believe Wendy's fresh beef differentiation and digital investment will drive market share gains
- →Value WEN's meaningful dividend yield from its franchised business model
Performance & AI score
| Metric | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| AI score | 49.1 | 24.7 |
| AI rank | #525 | #3015 |
| Latest close | $278.61 | $6.80 |
| 1M return | -0.78% | -14.71% |
| 6M return | -12.58% | -16.90% |
| 1Y return | -4.69% | -35.84% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $9.62K (-3.8%) started 2025-06-18 | $6.87K (-31.3%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $14.24K (+42.4%) started 2021-06-21 | $4.85K (-51.5%) started 2021-06-18 |
| 10Y ago | $35.26K (+252.6%) started 2016-06-20 | $13.89K (+38.9%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Valuation & upside potential
| Metric | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $197.95B | $1.3B |
| Trailing P/E | 22.99 | 8.83 |
| Forward P/E | 19.59 | 10.61 |
| Price/Sales | 8.55 | 0.59 |
| EV/Revenue | 9.17 | 2.33 |
| Analyst target | $331.29 | $7.84 |
| Target upside | +18.91% | +15.26% |
Growth, profitability & risk
| Metric | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 9.40% | 3.30% |
| Earnings growth | 6.90% | -37.20% |
| EPS growth | +6.90% | -37.20% |
| FCF margin | +21.69% | +5.98% |
| Operating margin | 44.25% | N/A |
| Profit margin | 31.62% | 6.77% |
| ROIC proxy | N/A | 120.88% |
| Return on equity | N/A | 120.88% |
| Dividend yield | 2.67% | 8.24% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 0.39 |
| Debt/equity | N/A | 3562.58 |
| Current ratio | 1.14 | 1.83 |
| Quick ratio | 0.87 | 1.40 |
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
MCD max drawdown20.04%
WEN max drawdown44.55%
MCD max wkly drop5.66%
WEN max wkly drop14.14%
5Y risk snapshot
MCD max drawdown20.04%
WEN max drawdown67.44%
MCD max wkly drop8.35%
WEN max wkly drop16.99%
10Y risk snapshot
MCD max drawdown36.90%
WEN max drawdown71.84%
MCD max wkly drop27.07%
WEN max wkly drop58.55%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | -3.80% | -35.84% |
| CAGR | -3.81% | -35.86% | |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.42 | -0.86 | |
| Max drawdown | 20.04% | 44.55% | |
| Max daily drop | 3.24% | 8.15% | |
| Max wkly drop | 5.66% | 14.14% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +30.27% | -62.73% |
| CAGR | +5.44% | -17.92% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.13 | -0.63 | |
| Max drawdown | 20.04% | 67.44% | |
| Max daily drop | 5.71% | 11.22% | |
| Max wkly drop | 8.35% | 16.99% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +178.86% | -5.91% |
| CAGR | +10.81% | -0.61% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.39 | 0.05 | |
| Max drawdown | 36.90% | 71.84% | |
| Max daily drop | 15.88% | 28.86% | |
| Max wkly drop | 27.07% | 58.55% |
Business comparison
| Category | MCD | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| Company | McDonald's Corporation | The Wendy's Company |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Discretionary - Quick Service Restaurants |
| Industry | Restaurants | N/A |
| Core business | McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain by revenue, operating and franchising tens of thousands of fast food restaurants globally across more than 100 countries, with a highly franchised model (over 95% franchised) generating royalties and rent from franchisees. | Wendy's is a major U.S. and international quick service hamburger restaurant chain, franchising the majority of its locations and known for fresh, never-frozen beef burgers, Frosty desserts, and competitive breakfast and value menu offerings. |
| Investor focus | Investors track McDonald's comparable sales growth, average unit volumes at franchised locations, digital sales and loyalty program membership, and the leveraged return of capital through dividends and buybacks. | Investors track Wendy's same-restaurant sales performance, digital channel adoption and loyalty program growth, international expansion, and its franchised restaurant margin economics. |
MCD strengths
- →World's most recognized fast food brand with global franchise network creating extraordinary scale and pricing power
- →Highly franchised model provides stable royalty income with capital-light growth
- →Digital platform and loyalty program are driving frequency and check increases across the system
WEN strengths
- →Differentiated fresh beef positioning provides a quality perception edge versus frozen-patty fast food competitors
- →Strong U.S. brand with growing digital and breakfast daypart penetration
- →Highly franchised model provides capital-light royalty income similar to McDonald's
Risks to watch — MCD
- →Value perception challenges as consumer spending normalizes post-pandemic and QSR price levels have risen significantly
- →Comparable sales growth has moderated from COVID-recovery peaks
- →Global geopolitical exposure across 100+ countries creates some geographic risk
Risks to watch — WEN
- →Significantly smaller scale than McDonald's, limiting advertising spend, supply chain leverage, and international presence
- →Has faced same-restaurant sales challenges as QSR consumer traffic has softened
- →Breakfast daypart rollout has been ongoing but slower-than-hoped in conversion rates
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