McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:MCD) is one of the best stocks to buy according to billionaire Bill Gates. Analysts see more than 20% upside potential on MCD stock from the current level.
On June 1, McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:MCD) unveiled a new set of strategies designed to drive the next phase of its growth. The plan is called McDonald’s NEXT. This plan focuses on raising standards for hospitality, increasing automation, making food items taste better, and expanding social media marketing.
All this is part of an effort to make McDonald’s customers’ first choice. It turns out that the chain lost favor with some customers in recent years. According to a survey from UBS Evidence Labs, 55% of US customers in 2020 said McDonald’s offered good value. That dropped to roughly 44% in 2024 and has largely remained at that level.
McDonald’s NEXT plan aims to bring in more customers and encourage customers to visit McDonald’s locations more often. Additionally, this plan aims to make McDonald’s stores easier to run for franchisees. The restaurant chain’s previous corporate strategy was unveiled in 2020, and it focused on digital sales and marketing.
Earlier on May 21, McDonald’s declared a quarterly dividend of $1.86 per share, payable June 16, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 2 with an ex‑dividend date of June 1; the annualized payout of $7.44 represents a 2.7% yield.
McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:MCD) operates a fast-food restaurant chain. It has thousands of restaurant locations across more than 100 countries. McDonald’s restaurants serve a wide variety of food items, including burgers, chicken, fries, and beverages, to millions of customers every day.
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