The Kroger Co. (KR) vs McDonald's Corporation (MCD)
MCD leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The Kroger Co. and McDonald's Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
KR
The Kroger Co.
$64.71Consumer Defensive
MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$284.81Consumer Cyclical
Not enough overlapping price history to compare KR and MCD.
KR vs MCD: by the numbers
- •MCD is the larger company ($202.36B vs $39.90B market cap).
- •MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.48 vs 42.02 P/E).
- •MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 0.69% net margin).
- •MCD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.95% vs 2.19% CAGR).
- •MCD pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 2.16%).
Which is better, KR or MCD?
Metric tally: KR 6 · MCD 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthMCD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMCD(higher dividend yield)
QualityMCD(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | KR | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 42.02 | 23.48● |
| Forward P/E | 11.54● | 20.06 |
| P/S ratio | 0.28● | 7.40 |
| P/B ratio | 6.89 | — |
| PEG ratio | — | 5.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.80● | 17.22 |
| FCF yield | 8.64%● | 3.46% |
Profitability
| Metric | KR | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 23.30% | 57.35%● |
| Operating margin | 1.28% | 46.01%● |
| Net margin | 0.69% | 31.62%● |
| ROE | 17.14%● | -478.38% |
| ROIC | 4.70% | 17.44%● |
Dividends
| Metric | KR | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.16% | 2.58%● |
| Payout ratio | 89.74% | 61.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KR | MCD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.19% | 6.95%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -13.96% | 13.58%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -2.23% | 5.78%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.20%● | 6.16% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KR or MCD?
- It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: MCD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MCD (higher dividend yield); quality: MCD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MCD leads 9 to 6.
- Is KR or MCD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: KR trades at a 42.02 P/E and MCD at 23.48.
- Which has grown faster, KR or MCD?
- Over the past five years, MCD grew revenue faster — KR at a 2.19% CAGR versus MCD at 6.95%.
- Does KR or MCD pay a bigger dividend?
- KR yields 2.16% and MCD yields 2.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KR or MCD more profitable?
- MCD runs the higher net margin — KR at 0.69% versus MCD at 31.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, KR or MCD?
- Over the past 10-year, MCD delivered the higher annualized total return — KR at 8.00% versus MCD at 11.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Kroger P/E ratioMcDonald's P/E ratioKroger dividend yieldMcDonald's dividend yieldKroger ROEMcDonald's ROEKroger operating marginMcDonald's operating marginKroger revenue growthMcDonald's revenue growthKroger free cash flowMcDonald's free cash flow
Kroger & McDonald's appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.