McDonald's Stock Rises on New Growth Plan with Margin Targets
McDonald's stock rose by 1% to close at $250.35 on the NYSE on September 22, 2026, as the company outlined a new growth plan targeting operating margins in the low to mid-50 percent range by 2030.
The plan aims to reverse the recent sales slowdown and provide a measurable framework for judging McDonald's performance. The company expects operating margins to reach the target range by 2030, surpassing the 46.9% adjusted operating margin reported in fiscal year 2025.
McDonald's also outlined $8.5 billion in franchisee support and targets unit expansion to contribute nearly 2.5% to systemwide sales growth in 2027 and about 2% by 2030.
The company beat analyst estimates with adjusted earnings per share of $3.38 for the second quarter of 2026, exceeding the consensus estimate by $0.06. However, revenue only increased 3.7% from the same quarter of the prior year.