McDonald's expanding

Newsweek -   McDonald’s plans to reach 50,000 locations worldwide by 2027, including more than 8,000 new restaurants, with about 900 opening in the U.S. The expansion is designed to position the company for value-focused consumers and to intensify competition in high-growth international markets.

CEO Chris Kempczinski said in 2023: “As I’ve said before, there has never been a better time to be part of McDonald’s. We have a clear trajectory for future growth as we continue to build on the brand strength, global footprint, and digital ecosystem that have resulted in unparalleled competitive advantages and cemented McDonald’s as one of the world’s leading consumer-facing brands.”

Beginning in 2026, McDonald’s is implementing more standardized pricing guidelines for franchisees, Mashed reported. While prices will still vary by region, individual operators will have less freedom to set their own pricing, and decisions will instead be guided by location data, third-party tools, and consultants to deliver more consistent value across markets.