McDonald's smashes earnings and plots 2,600 new restaurants by 2026

McDonald's has reported strong financial results for its latest quarter, with sales and profits beating expectations. The fast-food giant also announced plans to expand aggressively in 2026, adding thousands of new restaurants worldwide. Currently, it operates over 36,500 locations across more than 100 countries.

The company's global same-store sales grew by 5.7% in the quarter, outperforming analyst forecasts. In the U.S., sales rose by 6.8%, helped by promotions like the Grinch Meal and budget-friendly menu options. Licensed markets saw a 4.5% increase in comparable-store sales, while international company-operated locations reported a 5.2% rise.

Revenue for the fourth quarter climbed 10% to $7 billion, exceeding expectations. Adjusted earnings per share also rose by 8% to $3.12, again ahead of projections. The company's stock currently trades at just under 25 times analysts' 2025 earnings estimates.

Looking ahead, McDonald's plans to open around 2,600 new restaurants in 2026. Of these, 750 will be in the U.S. and other company-operated markets. An additional 1,800 licensed locations are set to open, with 1,000 of them in China alone. Overall, this expansion would increase the company's total unit count by about 4.5%.

The growth plans and strong financial performance highlight McDonald's continued push for global expansion. With nearly 14,000 locations already in the U.S., the company remains focused on increasing its presence in key international markets. Analysts will be watching to see if the momentum carries into the coming year.