5 No-Brainer Dividend Stocks to Buy

3. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83

On June 1, CNBC reported that McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) unveiled a new global growth strategy aimed at helping the fast-food giant remain its customers’ top choice as it faces increasing competition and pressure from consumers dealing with high gas prices.

The strategy, called “McDonald’s > NEXT,” is built around four key areas: a new restaurant design, better-tasting food and beverages, consumer-led innovation, and improved customer service. Company executives introduced the plan during McDonald’s biennial Worldwide Convention for franchisees in Las Vegas. The company’s previous global strategy, “Accelerating the Arches,” was launched in November 2020 as sales recovered from the pandemic.

The new growth plan comes at a time when restaurants are competing for a smaller pool of customers. McDonald’s is also facing growing competition from newer chains such as Raising Cane’s and 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee. Even so, the company has maintained its leading position as the largest US restaurant chain by revenue, supported by four consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.

As part of the strategy, McDonald’s plans to introduce a new restaurant design that gives locations a more recognizable look while making operations easier for employees. The company said its back-end systems will be more intuitive and better connected, helping improve kitchen efficiency.

McDonald’s is also testing automated order-taking technology at five US restaurants through a system called ARCHY. The goal is to allow employees to focus on other tasks. On a broader level, the company said it wants to “redefine hospitality” by improving customer service and encouraging employees to engage more with diners.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is a global foodservice retailer. Its operating segments include the US, International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate.