Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions

MCD vs SBUX

McDonald's Corporation versus Starbucks Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.

MCD wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

Scorecard at a glance

Dimension	MCD	SBUX	Winner
Yield	2.77%	2.40%	MCD wins
Dividend safety	7.8/10	6.3/10	MCD wins
Growth trend	+0.55% vs 5y	+0.11% vs 5y	SBUX wins
Volatility (beta)	0.42	0.97	MCD wins
Scale	$192.3B	$117.7B	MCD wins
Tax efficiency	Qualified-eligible	Qualified-eligible	Tie
Overall	4 wins	1 wins	MCD wins

Dimension by dimension

MCD wins on yield (2.77% vs 2.40%)

On a $10,000 investment that's about $37 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

MCD's higher yield (2.77%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SBUX's 2.40% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.

MCD: 2.77%SBUX: 2.40%

MCD wins on safety (7.8/10 vs 6.3/10)

Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. MCD scores better on the weighted average of those factors.

MCD (7.8/10) scores 1.5 points higher than SBUX (6.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.

MCD: 7.8/10SBUX: 6.3/10

SBUX shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend

SBUX's yield is 0.11% above its 5y average, versus 0.55% for MCD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.

MCD: +0.55% vs 5ySBUX: +0.11% vs 5y

MCD is less volatile (beta 0.42 vs 0.97)

Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.

MCD: 0.42SBUX: 0.97

MCD is 1.6× larger by market cap

Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.

MCD: $192.3BSBUX: $117.7B

Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions

Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.

MCD: Qualified-eligibleSBUX: Qualified-eligible

How we compare these

Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.

This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.

Frequently asked

Which is better for income, MCD or SBUX?

MCD wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

MCD vs SBUX: which has a higher dividend yield?

MCD yields 2.77% and SBUX yields 2.40%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $37 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.

Is MCD or SBUX a safer dividend in 2026?

MCD scores 7.8/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SBUX scores 6.3/10 (Mixed). MCD is the safer pick on our scoring model.

Which has better dividend growth, MCD or SBUX?