McDonald's (MCD) vs Chipotle (CMG): Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
McDonald's is cheaper on earnings, at 21.9 times against 31.5; McDonald's keeps the higher net margin (32.4% against 11.4%); Chipotle grew revenue faster over the last year (7.3% against 5.8%); McDonald's pays the higher dividend yield (2.7% against 0.0%). McDonald's clears 3 of this site's 8 value filters and Chipotle 4. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do McDonald's and Chipotle compare on the numbers?
| Measure | McDonald's (MCD) | Chipotle (CMG) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $276.52 | $34.43 | |
| Market value | $197 billion | $44.8 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 21.9 | 31.5 | MCD |
| PEG ratio | 3.25 | 0.89 | CMG |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 3.9% | 3.5% | About the same |
| Net profit margin | 32.4% | 11.4% | MCD |
| Revenue growth, last year | 5.8% | 7.3% | CMG |
| Return on equity | 95.1% | 53.3% | MCD |
| Debt to equity | 40.64 | n/a | CMG |
| Dividend yield | 2.7% | 0.0% | MCD |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | -48.5% | -67.1% | MCD |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 3 | 4 | CMG |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.9% | -16.1% |
How have McDonald's and Chipotle shares done against each other?
McDonald's 109Chipotle 96
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, McDonald's shares are up 9% and Chipotle shares down 4%, so McDonald's has pulled ahead of Chipotle by 14 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 30% for McDonald's and 55% for Chipotle.
| Period | McDonald's (MCD) | Chipotle (CMG) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | -7.3% | +12.7% |
| Last 3 years | +2.8% | -16.8% |
| Last 5 years | +8.6% | -4.1% |
Which has grown faster, McDonald's or Chipotle?
Over 5 years, McDonald's grew revenue 7.0% a year and earnings per share 13.6% a year; Chipotle grew revenue 14.8% and earnings per share 35.5%. Its net margin averaged 31.2% at McDonald's and 11.6% at Chipotle.
| Measure | McDonald's (MCD) | Chipotle (CMG) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $19.2 billion to $26.9 billion | $6 billion to $11.9 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | 7.0% | 14.8% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $6.31 to $11.95 | $0.25 to $1.14 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | 13.6% | 35.5% |
| Net margin, latest year | 31.9% | 12.9% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 31.2% | 11.6% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | 26.7% | 12.1% |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | McDonald's (MCD) | Chipotle (CMG) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | 18.0% a year | 21.1% a year |
| Free cash flow per share | $10.91 | $1.21 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | -48.5% | -67.1% |
At $276.52, McDonald's's price implies free cash flow growth of 18.0% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is more growth than the 8% baseline.
At $34.43, Chipotle's price implies free cash flow growth of 21.1% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is more growth than the 8% baseline.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where McDonald's leads
- Lower P/E: 21.9 against 31.5
- Higher net margin: 32.4% against 11.4%
- Higher return on equity: 95.1% against 53.3%
- Higher dividend yield: 2.7% against 0.0%
- Higher margin of safety on this site's DCF: -48.5% against -67.1%
- A higher net margin in its latest filed year: 31.9% against 12.9%
- A higher average net margin: 31.2% against 11.6%
- A higher free-cash-flow margin in its latest filed year: 26.7% against 12.1%
Where Chipotle leads
- Lower PEG: 0.89 against 3.25
- Faster revenue growth last year: 7.3% against 5.8%
- Less debt for its equity: n/a against 40.64
- More of the 8 value filters: 4 against 3
- Faster revenue growth over its filed record: 14.8% against 7.0%
- Faster earnings-per-share growth over its filed record: 35.5% against 13.6%
About the same on: free-cash-flow yield. A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
McDonald's. McDonald's licenses and operates fast-food restaurants worldwide; about 95% are run by franchisees, who pay it rent and royalties. Most of its profit comes from those franchise fees rather than from selling burgers itself.
Chipotle. Chipotle owns and runs fast-casual restaurants serving burritos, bowls and tacos in North America and Europe. It operates nearly all of its restaurants itself rather than franchising them.
Both are in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry on this site.
What stands out about McDonald's
- Misses 3 of the 8 value filters. It fails PEG Ratio < 1.5 (3.25), Price/Book < 8 (307.43) and Price/Sales < 7 (7.08); the other 3 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from -24% on Oct 7 to -48% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: net margin. At 32.4% (peer median 11.6%) it ranks 2nd of 18 among hotels, restaurants & leisure stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about Chipotle
- Misses 2 of the 8 value filters. It fails Trailing P/E < 25 (31.55) and Price/Book < 8 (20.36); the other 4 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from -45% on Oct 7 to -67% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: debt / equity. At 0.00 (peer median 4.79) it ranks 1st of 17 among hotels, restaurants & leisure stocks this site tracks.
Frequently asked questions about McDonald's and Chipotle
Which is cheaper, McDonald's or Chipotle?
On trailing earnings, McDonald's is cheaper: McDonald's trades at 21.9 times and Chipotle at 31.5 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 3.9% and 3.5%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, McDonald's or Chipotle?
McDonald's pays the higher yield: McDonald's 2.7% and Chipotle 0.0% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, McDonald's or Chipotle?
Over their latest filed five years, McDonald's grew revenue 7.0% a year and Chipotle 14.8%; earnings per share grew 13.6% and 35.5% a year.
Which has more debt, McDonald's or Chipotle?
Debt to equity is not available for both.
Which is more profitable, McDonald's or Chipotle?
McDonald's keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 32.4% for McDonald's and 11.4% for Chipotle, with a return on equity of 95.1% and 53.3%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Chipotle clears more: McDonald's 3 of 8 and Chipotle 4 of 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, not a prediction.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on McDonald's and Chipotle). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.