# Fast food is no longer just an occasional stop.

*business · news · 2026-05-01 · Barchart*

## Key points

- Starbucks generated higher quarterly sales at $9.5 billion versus McDonald's $7.01 billion.
- McDonald's achieved much higher net income, earning $2.16 billion to Starbucks’ $510.9 million.
- Starbucks’ dividend payout ratio is 122.44%, meaning it pays out more than it earns in dividends.
- McDonald’s has increased dividends for 49 consecutive years, nearly qualifying as a Dividend King.
- Analysts see up to 29.4% upside for McDonald’s and 23.4% for Starbucks over the next year.

**Companies:** McDonald's Corp, Starbucks Corp

[Read the full story on Barchart](https://www.barchart.com/story/news/1657472/mcdonalds-is-down-4-and-starbucks-is-up-25-in-2026-the-better-dividend-stock-might-surprise-you)

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