McDonald's
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BrandStack.ai is a brand intelligence platform trusted by leading global brands to drive brand growth across channels and markets. By delivering AI-powered brand insights and strategic market recommendations, BrandStack.ai helps brands strengthen brand performance across Search, Social, Video, Display, CTV / TV, Audio, and more.
Investment Recommendations
Targeted investment recommendations for McDonald's, aimed at boosting brand interest, strengthening market presence, and accelerating brand growth.
| Category | Description | Markets |
|---|---|---|
|
Growth Opportunity
|
Mid-size markets with positive brand interest trends
|
32 DMAs
9 States
|
|
High Growth Priority
|
Large markets showing strong consistent growth
|
1 DMA
|
|
Maintain & Optimize
|
Stable markets with consistent performance
|
87 DMAs
24 States
|
|
Turnaround Priority
|
Markets requiring immediate attention / improvement
|
91 DMAs
17 States
|
Brand Insights
Brand Insights reveal McDonald's’s brand interest across U.S. regions, highlighting growth opportunities, market trends, and strategic focus areas.
McDonald's shows stable performance with 0.7% average growth across 51 markets (64.3% avg brand interest), with positive growth in 21 of 51 markets
McDonald's has 0 markets with high growth (>15%), 3 markets with moderate growth (5-15%), 37 stable markets (0-5%), and 11 declining markets
McDonald's successfully defends strong market positions while maintaining brand interest growth in Alabama (maintained 59.0% brand interest, +3.5% growth), Alaska (maintained 70.0% brand interest, +2.9% growth), and Arkansas (maintained 66.0% brand interest, +4.8% growth)
In small markets, McDonald's shows modest growth with high brand interest: Alabama (+3.5% growth, 59.0% brand interest) and Alaska (+2.9% growth, 70.0% brand interest)
Competitive Insights
Competitive Insights analyze vast market data to pinpoint high-competition regions in the Fast Food industry.
For McDonald's, our benchmarks and BrandStack's AI powered algorithms reveal key insights to refine marketing strategies and boost brand interest across channels.
For McDonald's, our benchmarks and BrandStack's AI powered algorithms reveal key insights to refine marketing strategies and boost brand interest across channels.
McDonald's dominates head-to-head competition against Burger King in 51 of 51 shared state markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Arizona (64.0% vs 18.0% brand interest), California (70.0% vs 14.0% brand interest), and Georgia (55.0% vs 18.0% brand interest)
McDonald's dominates head-to-head competition against Wendy's in 51 of 51 shared state markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Arizona (64.0% vs 18.0% brand interest), California (70.0% vs 16.0% brand interest), and Georgia (55.0% vs 27.0% brand interest)
Wendy's dominates head-to-head competition against Burger King in 13 of 13 shared state markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Kansas (21.0% vs 11.0% brand interest), Kentucky (26.0% vs 13.0% brand interest), and Montana (24.0% vs 11.0% brand interest)
McDonald's demonstrates competitive strength with 40 high brand interest state markets and 0 high-growth state markets, notably in Hawaii (77.0% brand interest, +2.7% growth), Oklahoma (74.0% brand interest, +1.4% growth), and Minnesota (72.0% brand interest, +4.3% growth)
Investment Recommendations
Strategic recommendations for McDonald's in the Fast Food category, highlighting market opportunities and potential growth areas.
Based on comprehensive analysis of market share, growth trends, and competitive positioning across different markets.
Based on comprehensive analysis of market share, growth trends, and competitive positioning across different markets.
Growth Opportunity
Mid-size markets with positive brand interest trends
32
Markets
| Market | Approx. Digital-First Households |
Current Brand Interest | QoQ Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh PA | 998,699 | 63.0% | +3.3% | +1.6% |
| San Antonio TX | 900,609 | 74.0% | +4.2% | +0.0% |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM | 612,638 | 67.0% | +4.7% | +0.0% |
| Buffalo NY | 537,294 | 61.0% | +3.4% | +3.4% |
| Honolulu HI | 411,655 | 78.0% | +4.0% | +1.3% |
| Wichita-Hutchinson KS | 388,977 | 67.0% | +3.1% | +4.7% |
| Flint-Saginaw-Bay City MI | 375,743 | 68.0% | +3.0% | +0.0% |
| Rochester NY | 370,481 | 62.0% | +5.1% | +3.3% |
High Growth Priority
Large markets showing strong consistent growth
1
Market
| Market | Approx. Digital-First Households |
Current Brand Interest | QoQ Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute IN | 118,890 | 63.0% | +8.6% | +6.8% |
Maintain & Optimize
Stable markets with consistent performance
87
Markets
| Market | Approx. Digital-First Households |
Current Brand Interest | QoQ Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago IL | 3,081,097 | 66.0% | +0.0% | -2.9% |
| Philadelphia PA | 2,642,616 | 61.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% |
| Dallas-Ft. Worth TX | 2,585,309 | 71.0% | +0.0% | -1.4% |
| Boston MA-Manchester NH | 2,206,762 | 62.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose CA | 2,204,229 | 71.0% | +1.4% | +0.0% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) FL | 1,758,412 | 61.0% | +3.4% | -4.7% |
| Denver CO | 1,523,659 | 62.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% |
| Miami-Ft. Lauderdale FL | 1,462,825 | 60.0% | +0.0% | +1.7% |
Turnaround Priority
Markets requiring immediate attention / improvement
91
Markets
| Market | Approx. Digital-First Households |
Current Brand Interest | QoQ Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York NY | 6,567,593 | 61.0% | -1.6% | -6.2% |
| Los Angeles CA | 4,962,377 | 71.0% | -1.4% | -5.3% |
| Atlanta GA | 2,277,873 | 58.0% | -1.7% | +0.0% |
| Houston TX | 2,266,381 | 67.0% | -1.5% | -1.5% |
| Washington DC (Hagerstown MD) | 2,224,748 | 66.0% | -2.9% | -1.5% |
| Phoenix AZ | 1,818,040 | 65.0% | -1.5% | -3.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma WA | 1,798,974 | 66.0% | -2.9% | -1.5% |
| Detroit MI | 1,646,663 | 62.0% | -1.6% | +0.0% |
Brand Insights
Brand Insights for McDonald's in the Fast Food category provide in-depth analysis of the brand's performance, market positioning, and growth opportunities.
These insights are derived from comprehensive data analysis, covering areas such as market share, growth trends, and competitive dynamics.
These insights are derived from comprehensive data analysis, covering areas such as market share, growth trends, and competitive dynamics.
McDonald's shows stable performance with 0.8% average growth across 210 markets (63.7% avg brand interest), with positive growth in 80 of 210 markets
Top performing markets for McDonald's demonstrate exceptional results in Glendive MT (+100.0% growth, 100.0% brand interest, +100.0% change)
McDonald's has 1 market with high growth (>15%), 11 markets with moderate growth (5-15%), 130 stable markets (0-5%), and 68 declining markets
Notable high-growth markets for McDonald's include Glendive MT (+100.0% growth, 100.0% brand interest)
McDonald's successfully defends strong market positions while maintaining brand interest growth in Glendive MT (maintained 100.0% brand interest, +100.0% growth), Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (maintained 67.0% brand interest, +4.7% growth), and Alexandria LA (maintained 54.0% brand interest, +1.9% growth)
In medium markets, McDonald's shows modest growth with high brand interest: Albany-Schenectady-Troy NY (+0.0% growth, 62.0% brand interest) and Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (+4.7% growth, 67.0% brand interest)
In small markets, McDonald's shows modest growth with high brand interest: Glendive MT (+100.0% growth, 100.0% brand interest) and Alexandria LA (+1.9% growth, 54.0% brand interest)
McDonald's achieves significant brand interest gains in Glendive MT (+100.0% brand interest growth, now at 100.0%), Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (+3.0% brand interest growth, now at 67.0%), and Butte-Bozeman MT (+3.0% brand interest growth, now at 65.0%)
McDonald's maintains stable brand interest performance in mature markets: Albany GA (-2.0% growth, 50.0% brand interest) and Atlanta GA (-1.7% growth, 58.0% brand interest)
McDonald's faces growth challenges in historically strong markets: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (-6.3% growth, 59.0% brand interest) and Albany GA (-2.0% growth, 50.0% brand interest)
McDonald's performance in major markets: Atlanta GA (-1.7% growth, 58.0% brand interest, 2.7M TVHH), Baltimore MD (-3.0% growth, 65.0% brand interest, 1.1M TVHH), and Detroit MI (-1.6% growth, 62.0% brand interest, 1.9M TVHH)
McDonald's shows positive brand interest growth in markets representing 26.0% of total TVHH coverage
McDonald's maintains strong brand interest positions (>30% share) in key markets: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (59.0% brand interest, -4.0% change), Albany GA (50.0% brand interest, -1.0% change), and Atlanta GA (58.0% brand interest, -1.0% change)
McDonald's achieves significant brand interest gains in Glendive MT (+100.0% brand interest), Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (+3.0% brand interest), and Alexandria LA (+1.0% brand interest)
McDonald's maintains dominant market position with >35% brand interest in key markets: Albany GA (50.0% brand interest, 2.0% decline), Atlanta GA (58.0% brand interest, 1.7% decline), and Baton Rouge LA (62.0% brand interest, 1.6% decline)
McDonald's shows challenging performance with -1.3% average growth across 210 markets (63.7% avg brand interest), with positive growth in 44 of 210 markets
Competitive Insights
Competitive Insights showcase how McDonald's performs against competitors across different markets.
These insights are generated by analyzing competitive performance data across hundreds of thousands of data points.
Each insight highlights specific market opportunities and challenges where McDonald's can focus its competitive strategy.
Each insight highlights specific market opportunities and challenges where McDonald's can focus its competitive strategy.
Wendy's demonstrates category leadership at dma level with 1.6% average brand interest growth, showing exceptional performance in Abilene-Sweetwater TX (+31.8%, 29.0% brand interest), Corpus Christi TX (+17.6%, 20.0% brand interest), and Duluth MN-Superior WI (+28.6%, 9.0% brand interest)
In high-growth dma markets, Wendy's maintains an average brand interest of 16.9% with consistent performance across 11 markets
In direct competition, Wendy's outperforms McDonald's with 43.8 percentage point brand interest advantage across 210 shared markets: Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (gap: 50.0% brand interest, 10.2% growth), Alexandria LA (gap: 28.0% brand interest, 9.0% growth), and Bakersfield CA (gap: 50.0% brand interest, 5.9% growth)
In select markets, McDonald's outperforms Burger King despite weaker overall growth (+0.8% vs -1.5% overall): Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (McDonald's leads: 67.0% share, +4.7% growth vs Burger King: 16.0%, -11.1%)
In select markets, Wendy's outperforms Burger King despite weaker overall growth (+1.6% vs -1.5% overall): Abilene-Sweetwater TX (Wendy's leads: 29.0% share, +31.8% growth vs Burger King: 12.0%, -20.0%) and Albany-Schenectady-Troy NY (Wendy's: +5.6% growth vs Burger King: -5.0% growth)
In select markets, McDonald's outperforms Wendy's despite weaker overall growth (+0.8% vs +1.6% overall): Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (McDonald's leads: 67.0% share, +4.7% growth vs Wendy's: 17.0%, -5.6%)
In select markets, Burger King outperforms Wendy's despite weaker overall growth (-1.5% vs +1.6% overall): Alexandria LA (Burger King: +5.3% growth vs Wendy's: -7.1% growth), Bakersfield CA (Burger King leads: 18.0% share, +5.9% growth vs Wendy's: 16.0%, -5.9%), and Beaumont-Port Arthur TX (Burger King leads: 18.0% share, +5.9% growth vs Wendy's: 16.0%, -11.1%)
McDonald's successfully defends market leadership positions while maintaining brand interest growth in Glendive MT (maintained 100.0% brand interest, +100.0% growth), Albuquerque-Santa Fe NM (maintained 67.0% brand interest, +4.7% growth), and Alexandria LA (maintained 54.0% brand interest, +1.9% growth)
Burger King successfully defends market leadership positions while maintaining brand interest growth in Laredo TX (maintained 23.0% brand interest, +21.1% growth), Columbus GA (maintained 29.0% brand interest, +3.6% growth), and Greenwood-Greenville MS (maintained 24.0% brand interest, +4.3% growth)
Wendy's successfully defends market leadership positions while maintaining brand interest growth in Abilene-Sweetwater TX (maintained 29.0% brand interest, +31.8% growth), Helena MT (maintained 24.0% brand interest, +26.3% growth), and Quincy IL-Hannibal MO-Keokuk IA (maintained 21.0% brand interest, +16.7% growth)
McDonald's maintains strong brand interest position in key markets: Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York PA (63.0% brand interest, +1.6% growth), Indianapolis IN (62.0% brand interest, +1.6% growth), and Milwaukee WI (73.0% brand interest, +2.8% growth)
Wendy's maintains strong brand interest position in key markets: Atlanta GA (25.0% brand interest, +4.2% growth), Charlotte NC (24.0% brand interest, +4.3% growth), and Denver CO (25.0% brand interest, +4.2% growth)
McDonald's dominates head-to-head competition against Burger King in 210 of 210 shared DMA markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (59.0% vs 12.0% brand interest), Albany GA (50.0% vs 26.0% brand interest), and Atlanta GA (58.0% vs 17.0% brand interest)
McDonald's dominates head-to-head competition against Wendy's in 210 of 210 shared DMA markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (59.0% vs 29.0% brand interest), Albany GA (50.0% vs 24.0% brand interest), and Atlanta GA (58.0% vs 25.0% brand interest)
Wendy's dominates head-to-head competition against Burger King in 66 of 77 shared DMA markets, with superior brand interest in key battlegrounds: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (29.0% vs 12.0% brand interest), Amarillo TX (24.0% vs 13.0% brand interest), and Bangor ME (21.0% vs 15.0% brand interest)
Wendy's shows competitive momentum against McDonald's with stronger growth trajectory (+1.6% vs +0.8%) despite lower market position: Abilene-Sweetwater TX (Wendy's: +31.8% growth vs McDonald's: -6.3% growth), Albany GA (Wendy's: +4.3% growth vs McDonald's: -2.0% growth), and Atlanta GA (Wendy's: +4.2% growth vs McDonald's: -1.7% growth)