McDonald's Corp vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? McDonald's Corp trades at $265.28 (market cap $190.16B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.81 (market cap $1.50B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 126.8× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (7.13%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MCD | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $190.16B | $1.50B |
Volume | 2,230,036 | — |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $341.06 | $11.33 |
52-Week Low | $264.54 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $243.87B | $5.31B |
Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 7.13% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $267.71, down 2.1% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. The company reported steady revenue growth to $26.89 billion in 2025 and a net income margin of 31.62%, though Q2 2026 earnings are pending. Recent news highlights a new 'McDonald's NEXT' strategy focusing on automation and menu improvements to boost competitiveness.
The stock presents a buying opportunity with a consensus price target of $329, implying 23% upside, supported by strong analyst sentiment (58% buy ratings). Risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. Earnings execution and strategy rollout will be key for near-term performance.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.805, up 0.58% with a bullish technical signal and recent earnings beats. The stock shows attractive valuation metrics with P/E of 10.07 and P/S of 0.68, though net margins have declined to 6.77%. Recent news highlights Project Fresh initiatives and China expansion plans, while the company maintains a $0.14 dividend payment scheduled for June 2026.
WEN presents a mixed outlook with strong valuation appeal and dividend yield offset by margin pressures and declining earnings. The stock's 28% monthly gain reflects retail investor enthusiasm, but fundamental challenges require careful monitoring of turnaround execution and competitive positioning in the crowded fast-food sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →