Decades of ongoing fast-food industry clashes: McDonald’s vs. Burger King. Starting in the mid-’90s, these giants fiercely competed with each other for their burgers and menu items.
This burger brand rivalry is iconic in American business history, as burgers, especially cheeseburgers, remain beloved among many Americans, possibly even you.
In this blog, I’ll focus on which chain satisfies the majority of Americans’ tastes in burgers, fries, and nuggets. Who offers the tastiest options?
Is Burger King better than McDonald's?
Burger King started in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1954, while McDonald’s began as a drive-in in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. McDonald’s introduced Ronald McDonald in 1963, who became the iconic face of the brand.
Today, Burger King boasts 18,900 global fast food restaurants, with over 6,960 in the US. In contrast, McDonald’s has grown to a staggering 40,275 locations and was named the world’s fastest service-provider restaurant in 2023, with over 14,000 in the US alone.
These culinary giants will keep innovating to delight taste buds worldwide.
McDonald's vs Burger King (French Fries)
Over the century, French fries have been one of the top fast food choices in the US and worldwide. Not surprising that fries have a lot of versions.
Both McDonald’s and Burger King make evenly spaced horizontal lines of fries as part of the rivalry.
How do they make tasty fries? And let’s see which one makes it better.
Comparing Burger King’s and McDonald’s Fries:
Burger King fries offers four types of fries: spiral, waffle, curly, and regular, made primarily from potatoes and cooked in Canola, Soybean, and Palm oil. They use rice flour, modified potato starch, and refined sea salt, with an option for no salt.
McDonald’s fries stand out for their crispy exterior and fluffy interior, made from top-quality British potatoes like Shepody and Umatilla Russet. They are flavored with natural beef flavoring containing hydrolyzed milk and wheat, making them unsuitable for vegans but highly popular for their taste.
Fry Servings
Burger King and McDonald’s French fries in three main sizes: small, medium, and large. But, there is a difference in their serving amount.vs
- Small: 74 grams with 207 calories
- Medium: 117 grams with 328 calories
- Large: 160 grams with 448 calories
McDonald's Fry Servings
- Kids serving: 31 grams with 100 calories
- Small: 71 grams with 229 calories
- Medium: 117 grams with 378 calories
- Large: 154 grams with 498 calories
Clearly, McDonald’s fries have more calorie content per serving.
This fact is not seen by many Americans though. At times, we all want tasty fries over their health effects.
But, with moderation, I believe it’s totally fine. This is where fries of McDonald’s are still winning the battle. Consistency in the taste is still what matters.
Let’s now jump to the next close icon in the menu list – the burgers. Which one will win in these burger wars? Check out their servings below.
McDonald's vs Burger King - Whose Burger is the Best?
While sandwiches can be delicious, there’s a special level of satisfaction that comes with biting into a burger patty. Especially when it’s adorned with top-notch toppings and cheese, it has the power to make mouths water. Who can claim the title of the best cheeseburger?
Given the numerous contenders in this category, selecting the ultimate winner is no simple task. Therefore, in the context of the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Cheeseburger versus Burger King Whopper Junior, we set out to determine the true champion.
How did these burgers fare when we compared them? Who emerged victorious in this closely-fought battle of McDonald’s Big Mac vs Burger King Whopper? Let’s delve into the details and uncover which signature burger is superior.
The Inside of the Burger King Whopper Junior
Burger King offers a soy-based “plant-based burger” and a chicken-free Vegan Royale burger considered superior to other chicken sandwiches.
However, the Whopper Junior appears smaller than competitors, and it often arrives flattened, with smoky burger patties, sliced cheese, cheese spread, and generous ketchup and mayo.
The thin beef patty is somewhat bland, but the tasty pickles add some flavor.
The McDonald’s Big Mac Quarter Pounder
Now let’s examine the famous McDonald’s Big Mac Quarter Pounder with cheese. It is presented in a compact box, eliminating the risk of getting squashed in the bag.
The Big Mac appearance is quite appealing, as well inside.
Inside, you’ll find a plump sesame-seed bun and a substantial patty topped with delicious, melted American cheese.
To enhance its taste and make it wonderful, you have mustard, silvered white onions, additional mustard, cheese, and pickles.
Big Mac’s burger beef patty is well-balanced and tastes excellent. Big Mac’s burgers each element seemsz carefully coordinated, with the ingredients in the right proportions, neither too little nor too much.
The only aspect that could be improved is the sweetness of the sesame-seed bun.
McDonald’s is the winner!
When comparing the two brands, it is evident that McDonald’s Big Mac Quarter Pounder reigns supreme. Big Mac retains its position as the best burger.
Now that we have evaluated which burger chain serves better, let’s explore another aspect of these fast-food giants: their nuggets.
Whose nuggets taste better? - McDonald's vs Burger King
Chicken nuggets are one of the best breakfast menu items that both Burger Kind and McDonald’s serve. What are actually chicken nuggets? These are reconstituted chicken meat, battered, and deep-fried making it boneless to eat.
Which one serves the best nuggets in town, is it the Burger King Chicken Nugget or McDonald’s McNuggets? To know the answer, we’d better taste the difference.
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets are not just available in the US but also in all their locations worldwide.
In 2016, McDonald’s removed the artificial preservatives added to their nuggets and even improved their nutritional value.
The primary ingredients of McNuggets are:
- white boneless chicken,
- salt,
- water,
- and seasonings like sunflower oil, yellow corn flour, and lemon juice.
All come with natural components to come up with their natural and juicy taste.
When it comes to serving size, the McNuggets are sold in different sizes depending on the country of the franchise.
In the US, they serve 5 different McNuggets options, such as follows:
- 4 pcs pack
- 6 pcs pack
- 10 pcs pack
- 20 pcs pack
- 50 pcs pack (in selected locations and occasions)
Most of the time, the 50 pcs McDonald’s chicken nuggets pack in the United States is served during big events like the Super Bowl in the NFL season.
Burger King’s Chicken Nugget
Impossible nuggets are made with chicken white meat and are served bite-sized. Burger King’s nuggets are crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy on the inside. This taste that plays in your taste buds is quite satisfying.
Burger King offers chicken nuggets in various sizes, including:
- 4,
- 6,
- 10,
- 20 pieces
Burger King’s Fiery Nuggets new version
They have introduced a new version called Fiery Nuggets, which is a spicy twist on their classic chicken nuggets. These Fiery Nuggets are coated with an irresistible spicy glaze made from Cayenne peppers, Birds Eye chili, and Black pepper.
Between McDonald's and Burger King, which is Better?
In this comprehensive taste test and thorough evaluation, we aim to determine which fast-food chain stands out as the better option. Each chain has its unique approach to food and service, providing customers with distinct experiences.
According to the latest 2022 survey, Burger King excels in delivering exceptional customer service and is renowned for its entertaining advertisements. They prioritize creating a positive and enjoyable dining atmosphere for their patrons.
McDonald’s fast-food burger chain offers a wider range of healthier options.
Both Burger King and McDonald’s have introduced their own coffee products to entice customers.
However, McDonald’s takes the lead in this aspect by serving a superior coffee experience. Furthermore, their fries have been widely acclaimed as better than Burger King’s.
Overall, while Burger King excels in customer service and engaging advertisements, McDonald’s surpasses them with their healthier menu options, superior coffee, balanced burgers, and highly regarded fries.
McDonald's vs Burger King - Which Is Best to Franchise?
In so many food franchising businesses out there, you might be thinking of franchising either McDonald’s or Burger King. If you’re confused about which opportunity you’re going to commit to, check on the details below.
Burger King Franchise Business
Burger King opened up fast-food franchise opportunities in 1956. And as of 2022, they have around 19,247 active units worldwide. That is an average of about 291 newly opened units each year! Why franchise Burger King?
One reason you can think of is that Burger King fast food chain offers three franchise ownership options you can choose which one would be best for you.
Institutional area
These are locations like an airport, zoos, or corporate buildings.
Non-traditional location
In this franchise ownership option, you can have a Burger King store inside a gasoline station or convenience store.
Traditional location
This is an area in which your Burger King store is solely built in a non-shared building. It is a full-sized BK restaurant.
McDonald’s Franchise Business
McDonald’s is the leading food franchise company in the 2021 survey. Just inside US territories, this signature burger company already acquired a total of 13,257 locations as of January 2022.
The top five locations that have McDonald’s franchises are:
- Houston, Texas with 129 locations
- Chicago, Illinois with 113 locations
- Las Vegas, Nevada with 73 locations
- San Antonio, Texas with 73 locations
- Los Angeles, California with 72 locations
McDonald’s faces significant competition but continues to expand globally. Why invest in McDonald’s? Here’s the essential information.
McDonald’s is a renowned global brand known for its integrity and community involvement. They provide a proven support system that allows franchisees to run their businesses independently.
Startup costs and royalty fees may vary over time.
Additionally, both Burger King and McDonald’s are adapting to digital transformation and utilizing social media platforms for advertising.
Word-of-mouth and social media influence have played a crucial role in their success. Both companies are highly sustainable and offer profitable returns.
When comparing the franchise fee, plus the total investment or startup costs.
Burger King fast-food chain tends to be slightly more cost-effective than McDonald’s. However, thorough research and consideration of all financial factors are necessary before making a decision.
Final Thoughts
Burger King and McDonald’s are renowned fast-food chains with amazing food items. Their preparation methods differ, but both use 100% pure beef without preservatives, resulting in unique tastes.
These chains have a global presence, with McDonald’s serving more cities and countries, while Burger King expands its franchises worldwide. Originating from the United States, they enjoy international popularity.
For aspiring franchisees, both Burger King and McDonald’s offer potential success. Preparation is crucial before making a franchising decision. A franchise consultant can provide valuable support in driving your career.
Bonus Read: Domino’s vs Pizza Hut – Which Pizza Is Better?