When you see the Golden Arches, you may think about McDonald's World-Famous Fries or your last trip through our Drive-Thru, but they also symbolize something more profound: deep roots that enrich communities nationwide.

Whether you’re part of the 1 in 8 Americans who have worked at a McDonald’s restaurant, among the farmers and suppliers supplying quality ingredients to nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants, or a regular customer at your local McDonald’s restaurant – you’re part of something bigger than burgers and fries when you step through our doors. These shared, everyday interactions add up in a big way to create meaningful economic impact that reaches far beyond the front counter.    

Each year, in partnership with Oxford Economics, we measure the real business impact McDonald's has in communities across the U.S., and each year we look to expand the breadth and depth of the reports to provide a more comprehensive view of this impact. Today we are excited to share refreshed McDonald’s U.S. Economic Impact Reports for all 50 states, 21 major cities (including 10 new cities) and the nation overall, showcasing the ways in which we continue to show up for the communities we serve.  

• Supporting the American economy. Across the United States, the McDonald’s System continues to support more than 1 million jobs and contributes over $72 billion dollars to U.S. GDP nationwide. This is made possible by franchisees who are equally as dedicated to their communities, as 95% of U.S. restaurants are locally owned and operated. 
• Investing in people. Through our Archways to Opportunity® program, McDonald’s offered more than $25.8 million in tuition assistance to restaurant employees across the country.  What starts as a job at McDonald's turns into skills and connections that can take you anywhere. McDonald’s restaurant crew have gone on to become America's entrepreneurs, community providers, innovators and more.
• Boosting the U.S. supply chain. Our U.S.-based sourcing supports American farmers, suppliers and small businesses across dozens of states. In 2024, the McDonald’s system purchased more than $5.9 billion of quality ingredients in the U.S., including 671 million pounds of beef, 130 million pounds of cheese, 2.8 billion pounds of potatoes , and 2.1 billion eggs - creating economic opportunity far beyond our restaurants.

“Being part of the everyday fabric of communities across America is both a privilege and a responsibility – and it’s one McDonald’s is dedicated to upholding,” says McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger. “We’re committed to using the collective scale of our System to make a meaningful impact – in local neighborhoods, across America’s farmlands, and alongside supplier partners big and small – by showing up in ways only McDonald’s can.”

To explore the full 2024 McDonald’s U.S. economic impact reports and view state-by-state breakdowns, city-level insights, and learn more about how we support our people, visit McDEconomicImpact.com.