McDonald's Corporation (MCD) vs Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)
MCD leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of McDonald's Corporation and Starbucks Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
MCD
McDonald's Corporation
$287.93Consumer Cyclical
SBUX
Starbucks Corporation
$101.68Consumer Cyclical
Total return — MCD vs SBUX
growth of $100 · last 30yMCD +1114.6%SBUX +6193.1%SBUX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
MCD SBUX
MCD vs SBUX: by the numbers
- •MCD is the larger company ($202.80B vs $115.57B market cap).
- •MCD trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.74 vs 77.03 P/E).
- •MCD converts more revenue to profit (31.62% vs 3.89% net margin).
- •SBUX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.03% vs 6.95% CAGR).
- •MCD pays the higher dividend yield (2.55% vs 2.43%).
Which is better, MCD or SBUX?
Metric tally: MCD 12 · SBUX 3It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMCD(lower P/E)
GrowthSBUX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMCD(higher dividend yield)
QualityMCD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MCD | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.74● | 77.03 |
| Forward P/E | 20.29● | 33.23 |
| P/S ratio | 7.48 | 3.02● |
| PEG ratio | 5.30 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.37● | 25.92 |
| FCF yield | 3.43%● | 2.35% |
Profitability
| Metric | MCD | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 57.35%● | 20.36% |
| Operating margin | 46.01%● | 9.28% |
| Net margin | 31.62%● | 3.89% |
| ROE | -478.11% | -22.93%● |
| ROIC | 17.44%● | 8.48% |
Dividends
| Metric | MCD | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.55%● | 2.43% |
| Payout ratio | 61.25% | 151.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MCD | SBUX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.95% | 10.03%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.58%● | -9.42% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.78%● | 2.00% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.48%● | 0.32% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MCD or SBUX?
- It depends on your goal. value: MCD (lower P/E); growth: SBUX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MCD (higher dividend yield); quality: MCD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MCD leads 12 to 3.
- Is MCD or SBUX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MCD is cheaper: MCD trades at a 23.74 P/E and SBUX at 77.03.
- Which has grown faster, MCD or SBUX?
- Over the past five years, SBUX grew revenue faster — MCD at a 6.95% CAGR versus SBUX at 10.03%.
- Does MCD or SBUX pay a bigger dividend?
- MCD yields 2.55% and SBUX yields 2.43% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MCD or SBUX more profitable?
- MCD runs the higher net margin — MCD at 31.62% versus SBUX at 3.89%.
- Which has been the better investment, MCD or SBUX?
- Over the past 10-year, MCD delivered the higher annualized total return — MCD at 11.51% versus SBUX at 8.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
McDonald's P/E ratioStarbucks P/E ratioMcDonald's dividend yieldStarbucks dividend yieldMcDonald's ROEStarbucks ROEMcDonald's operating marginStarbucks operating marginMcDonald's revenue growthStarbucks revenue growthMcDonald's free cash flowStarbucks free cash flow
McDonald's & Starbucks 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 17, 2026.