Burger King Serves Up Big Gain as McDonald's Sales Slow

McDonald's and Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent of Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs, have reported their Q2 fiscal 2026 results. McDonald's global comparable sales decelerated to 1.3%, down from 3.8% a year earlier, while RBI's portfolio accelerated behind a Burger King turnaround taking share.

Burger King is outperforming McDonald's in the US market, with U.S. same-store sales jumping 8.5%. This was driven by the Whopper platform, kids meals tied to Disney's Mandalorian, and the Reclaim the Flame remodel push. In contrast, McDonald's U.S. traffic turned negative in July, with comparable sales rising just 0.8% in Q2.

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged that the company 'simply didn't execute at the level we needed to in the second quarter.' He cited issues with the new under-$3 everyday affordable menu and pulling digital offers to fund it as a 'bad trade.'

RBI, on the other hand, has a multi-brand portfolio with Tim Hortons contributing roughly 41% of its operating profit. Burger King's Whopper AUVs are up over 20% since the elevation campaign launched.