12 Best Fast Food Stocks to Buy Now

2. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is a multinational fast food business with almost 43,000 outlets worldwide. The Wall Street Journal has pointed out that the business, which is well-known throughout the world for its golden arches, is actively pursuing artificial intelligence. AI has potential in several areas for a fast-food giant like McDonald’s. Around 18 months ago, the company formed a collaboration with Alphabet’s Google Cloud, with a particular focus on AI. AI-powered ordering has already been tested by the company, and a new partnership might help it expand those efforts. AI has the potential to reduce labor costs while improving consumer satisfaction if it is successful in processing orders. It is ranked second on our list of the Best Food Stocks.

The E. Coli outbreak contributed to McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) lower-than-expected quarterly earnings despite the company’s innovation drive, but there were other challenges as well. Revenue in Q4 2024 was $6.4 billion, which was around $88 million less than analyst projections and a slight 0.2% decline from the previous year. Performance at established locations is reflected in global same-store sales, which grew by 0.4%. US same-store sales, on the other hand, fell 1.4%, showing a slowdown in domestic growth and continued pressure to keep up momentum. Nonetheless, it is among the stocks that have performed well this year, rising more than 8% since the beginning of 2025, making it one of the Best Food Stocks.

At the end of FY24, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) had more than $1 billion in cash and cash equivalents, demonstrating a healthy cash reserve. The company’s dividends have increased for 48 years in a row.