15 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026

8. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Dividend Yield as of March 16: 2.28%

Reuters reported on March 11 that McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) plans to roll out new menu items priced at $3 or less in the U.S., along with $4 breakfast meal deals starting in April. The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the discussions.

The burger chain is trying to draw in customers who have been strained by economic pressures. It has been placing greater emphasis on affordability as consumers grow more careful with spending. The company has also been putting significant effort into marketing lower-priced meals. Last month, it said its focus on value was helping bring back lower-income customers.McDonald’s introduced a $5 meal deal in June 2024 as a limited-time offer. It later extended the promotion as shoppers kept prioritizing value amid rising costs for everyday essentials. The new offerings, internally referred to as “McValue 2.0,” include a breakfast bundle with a McMuffin, hash brown, and coffee.

Last year, the company began subsidizing franchisees’ “extra value” meals as prices for certain commodities, including beef, remained elevated. CEO Chris Kempczinski said last month that the company does not plan to subsidize pricing on a permanent basis.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) operates as a global foodservice retailer. Its business is organized into three segments: US, International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate. The US remains the company’s largest market and is about 95% franchised.