McDonald’s is one of the most ubiquitous fast food chains in the world, with about 41,800 locations worldwide as of 2023. The chain has seen steady growth over the years, with the number of locations increasing from around 40,200 in 2022. McDonald’s shows no signs of slowing down, with plans to open an additional 9,000 locations worldwide by 2027.
The United States is home to the most McDonald’s locations, with the first restaurant opening in San Bernardino, California in 1940. The company is projecting a net new restaurant growth rate of 4% in 2024, with plans to open 2,100 additional locations by the end of that year. Houston, Texas currently has the most McDonald’s locations in the US with 126 stores.
While McDonald’s is present in many countries around the world, there are still several nations where the chain is illegal. This includes Bermuda, Bolivia, Iceland, Iran, Macedonia, North Korea, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. Despite this, McDonald’s has been able to establish a strong presence in many other countries, with France and the United Kingdom having the most locations in Europe.
Some McDonald’s locations stand out for their unique features. In the US, a McDonald’s in Nassau, Long Island has been named America’s “most beautiful” McDonald’s and is housed in a historic landmark. Another McDonald’s in Freeport, Maine is known as the “poshest” McDonald’s in the world due to its upscale finishings and high-end menu, which includes lobster rolls in the summer.
In Wales, a McDonald’s in Welshpool has been labeled as “the best in the world” by a Michelin-starred chef, offering a deluxe menu with truffle-fragrant mayonnaise sandwiches and Cadbury chocolate-filled McFlurries. In the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, China has the most McDonald’s locations with nearly 6,000 stores, followed by Japan and Australia.
Despite its global reach, there are still 123 countries where McDonald’s is not present, including North Korea, Russia, Iran, Bermuda, and Iceland. McDonald’s continues to expand its presence globally and remains one of the most recognizable and widespread fast food chains in the world with plans for further growth in the coming years.
