Remember being a kid, in the car with your parents, when you’d spot a red and yellow McDonald’s logo on the side of the road? You’d sit up and ask in a hectic, hurried voice, “Can we stop at McDonald’s?”
Sometimes the answer was no, but when it was a yes, that changed everything. Nothing was more exciting than coming home with McNuggets, fries and a Happy Meal toy.
Now that we’re grown-ups, we can’t help but wonder: What’s the best-selling item on the McDonald’s menu?
The Most Popular Thing at McDonald’s Is…
…the french fries! Are you surprised? I doubt it. Ever since the first McDonald’s menu from when the chained opened in the 1950s, french fries have been a star. The famous Golden Arches sell upward of 9 million pounds of fries per day! That’s a whole ‘lotta large fries. How can anything be so gosh darn tasty?
Well, there’s a scientific reason McDonald’s are so good. It has a lot to do with the perfect combination of salt, sugar and fat. McDonald’s uses specific potatoes like Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet and Shepody potatoes to get the right base. Then, with a genius combination of oil and salt, these french fries get launched into the delicious atmosphere. Basically, once you start eating them, you just can’t stop.
What Else Are People Obsessed With?
Not long ago, Taste of Home covered a top 10 list of the most popular items at McDonald’s. While fries took the number one spot, some of our other favorites weren’t much further down. The double cheeseburger comes in at #9 while McNuggets swoop in at #7. I remember begging for these nuggets when I was kid! The Egg McMuffin (my absolute favorite) takes its place at #5 while the Happy Meal takes #4, and the famous Big Mac sits just behind fries at #2.
McDonald’s wouldn’t comment on updated sales numbers for any of its menu items. But these World Famous Fries are in every McD’s restaurant around the world!
Now if only they’d bring back the Snack Wrap.
FAQs
#1: French fries
What is McDonald's #1 seller? ›
Not long ago, Taste of Home covered a top 10 list of the most popular items at McDonald's. While fries took the number one spot, some of our other favorites weren't much further down. The double cheeseburger comes in at #9 while McNuggets swoop in at #7.
Which of the following McDonald's menu items is the most popular? ›
Across the country, the Big Mac reigned supreme as the top choice in 31 states, including Illinois, where the iconic sandwich topped the Happy Meal and the McChicken to close out the state's top three.
What is the most profitable item on the McDonald's menu? ›
Some of the most profitable products for McDonald's are its soda and coffee products. McDonald's uses various strategies to upsell these items. For instance, it often offers combo meals where a drink is included with a burger and fries, encouraging customers to purchase a drink.
What is McDonald's #1 selling item? ›
#1: French fries
It probably doesn't come as a surprise to learn that these delicious slices of golden goodness are the all-time bestseller. They've been a staple of McDonald's since its very first menu, and people have been asking for fries with that—or just fries—ever since.
Is McDonald's still number 1? ›
While QSR Magazine's top 50 fast-food chains list shows 2023 was challenging for Subway and Burger King. QSR Magazine released its 2024 Top 50 Fast-Food Chains Ranked by Sales list, which showed that McDonald's still reigns supreme with the highest revenue for the year.
What is McDonalds most popular fast food? ›
Hands down, the most popular McDonald's menu item worldwide is their French fries.
What is McDonalds best known for? ›
McDonald's is best known for its hamburgers, cheeseburgers and french fries, although their menu also includes other items like chicken, fish, fruit, and salads. Their bestselling licensed item is their french fries, followed by the Big Mac.
What is the least sold item at McDonald's? ›
The least popular item on the regular menu is the Filet-o-fish sandwich. Most of the time, we did not make these ahead of time except during the lunch rush, or if it was raining. People order it more when it's raining, I don't know why.
What is the most visited McDonald's? ›
Pushkin square Moscow is the worlds busiestMcdonalds serving 40000 people a day.
McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain.
What does McDonald's make the most money on? ›
The company makes money by franchising its fast-food brand and leasing properties to franchisees, often at significant markups. Franchisees are attracted by the impressive profit margins, making McDonald's franchises a highly profitable investment.
What is Bogo $1 at McDonald's? ›
The Buy One, Get One for $1 lineup includes the choice of any two iconic menu options such as the hot and deliciously juicy 100% fresh beef* Quarter Pounder®** with Cheese, Big Mac®, Filet-O-Fish® and 10 pc. Chicken McNuggets® as an entree choice.
What is McDonald's number one buyer of? ›
McDonald's is the nation's largest purchaser of beef, pork, and potatoes.
Can you only use 1 McDonald's deal? ›
You can only redeem one deal per person, per visit. Once you select “Scan at Restaurant” or “Add to Mobile Order” and then select “Use Deal,” all other offers become unavailable for the next 60 minutes.
