The great fast food fight: McDonald's versus KFC (2026)

We find out which is the 'healthier' option. You may be surprised by the result

By Mens Health
The great fast food fight: McDonald's versus KFC (1)

Ronald and the Colonel may seem out of place on MH's site, but we appreciate that dietary deviation is inevitable. So we've chewed the facts to determine which fast-food chain you should choose when your bending (not breaking) yours and our healthy-eating rules.

(Related: Fast food workers reveal the meals you should never order)

The numbers

McDonald's: 400k - McDonald’s estimates this many cows are used each year in the UK to provide the beef for all its products. That’s around 46 animals an hour.

KFC: 23m - The number of chickens that found their way into KFC’s buckets last year, with 400 pieces sold every minute across the country.

(Related: Stop eating chicken breasts that have white stripes. ASAP)

Healthy option

McDonald's: Grilled chicken salad - With only 133kcal and 20g of protein, this has true post-workout potential. Although resisting extra fries is another story.

KFC: Original recipe ricebox - Despite a hefty serving of protein and carbs, this alternative still comes laden with 17g of fat and weighs in at 500kcal.

(Related: KFC is testing vegetarian fried chicken)

Superfoods

McDonald's: Gherkins are a great source of probiotic bacteria, and an Egg McMuffin contains plenty of Vitamin D. Have meals with cheese for your bones, McDonald's hash browns are great for energy

KFC: Eat corn on the cob for your heart health and baked beans for digestion. KFC's wings contain plenty of B vitamins, while Krushems are ideal for recovery.

(Related: 6 of the healthiest high-street breakfasts)

Macro count

McDonald's: 98g of carbs - Restock tired muscles with the most carby pairing of the two – a Signature Collection Classic burger with large fries. Just beware of the 59g of fat.

KFC: 87g of protein - The mighty bucket for one packs the most protein at either vendor. Overkill for even the hungriest of muscles, as is the 1,275kcal count.

(Related: Soon, couples will be able to get married at McDonald's)

Number crunch

McDonald's: 508kcal in a Big Mac - To offset this classic in the gym, hit the boxing bag. A 45-minute session of jabs, hooks and crosses is enough to outwork this caloric knockout.

KFC: 730kcal in three pieces of chicken - Hog the rack for 90 minutes with a lower-body workout of back squats, deadlifts and power cleans to counterbalance a KFC feast.

The result: McDonald's wins

While chicken is an obvious Men’s Health staple, KFC’s reliance on greasy oils and subsequent sky-high calorific content makes Maccy’s an unlikely victor. The more varied menu and healthy options, as well as classic, gut-busting fare, make it the ideal spot to play fast and loose with your nutrition plan.

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The great fast food fight: McDonald's versus KFC (2026)

FAQs

Is KFC more successful than McDonald's? ›

McDonald's, as the world's number one restaurant chain, has mostly outsold the local KFC's sales around the world.

What's healthier, KFC or McDonald's? ›

"Better" Is subjective and dependent on what you are grading. KFC has healthier food in general than McDonalds however both are NOT health food so KFC wins on that (barely). McDonalds has more variety as I can get chicken, beef or fish products there, whereas KFC only has chicken so McDonalds wins on that.

What is the comparative study between KFC and McDonald's? ›

The study found that the product of KFC were relatively better as compared to that of Mc-Donald's in most of the traits studied especially in Taste and quality of food, price of product, staff behavior, delivery of product, and environment of the restaurant.

How is KFC different from McDonald's? ›

McDonald's main product is hamburgers while KFC's main product is fried chicken. 5. McDonald's other offers include breakfast menu, desserts, chicken sandwiches and French fries. KFC's other offers include chicken wraps, sandwiches, salads, roasted and grilled chicken cuisines and desserts.

What is the #1 fast-food restaurant in the world? ›

McDonald's

Who is the richest fast food chain? ›

McDonald's was the most valuable fast food brand in the world with an estimated brand value of about 196.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. That same year, the brand value of Starbucks amounted to approximately 61.7 billion U.S. dollars. How many McDonald's restaurants are there worldwide?

What is KFC unhealthiest food? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Is McDonald's healthy yes or no? ›

Overall, it's okay to indulge in a McDonald's meal every once in a while. One burger or order of chicken nuggets won't make or break your health goals. That being said, eating to support your health goals is ultimately all about portion control and knowing exactly what you are consuming.

Is KFC healthy for kids? ›

Are KFC foods good for health for any age? While KFC and similar fast-food options may be tasty, they are generally considered to be high in calories, saturated fats, and sodium. Regular consumption can contribute to health issues like obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Is KFC owned by McDonald's? ›

KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, one of the largest restaurant companies in the world.

Who is McDonald's biggest competitor? ›

McDonald's is one of the largest and most well-known fast-food chains in the world. Privately-owned Burger King is McDonald's closest competitor. Yum Brands operates Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Subway is the largest restaurant chain in the world in terms of size, but sales have been sliding since 2012.

Why is KFC so successful? ›

KFC popularized chicken in the fast-food industry, diversifying the market by challenging the established dominance of the hamburger. Branding himself "Colonel Sanders", the founder became a prominent figure of American cultural history, and his image remains widely used in KFC advertising.

Is Mcdonalds worth more than KFC? ›

KFC's brand is ranked #130 in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of KFC. Their current valuation is $32.95B. McDonald's's brand is ranked #85 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of McDonald's. Their current valuation is $167.91B.

What makes KFC so special? ›

You won't be surprised to learn that at KFC, great tasting chicken matters. Our iconic fried chicken is freshly prepared and hand-breaded by our trained cooks in restaurant every single day, using the type of ingredients you'd find in your kitchen at home. It starts with sourcing birds that have had a good life.

Why are KFC fries different? ›

Signature Fries FAQ's

The seasoning is a blend of savoury herbs & spices including black pepper, white pepper, paprika, sage, rosemary and bay which perfectly seasons our skin-on potato fries.

What is the highest grossing fast food chain? ›

These are the largest fast-food chains by revenue in the United States, including all system-wide sales (which includes franchise sales) as reported by QSR Magazine: McDonald's: $37 billion in system-wide U.S. sales. Starbucks: $13 billion in system-wide U.S. sales. Subway: $10.8 billion in system-wide U.S. sales.

What is the most successful restaurant chain in the world? ›

The largest restaurant companies in the world are primarily chain operations with an international presence. Compass Group and Starbucks are the two largest restaurant companies as of 2023. McDonald's is the largest fast-food chain.

Is Mcdonalds the most successful franchise? ›

McDonald's. McDonald's has been the world's largest franchise for decades. That trend continues in 2023. With over 38,000 locations worldwide, McDonald's has a significant presence in more than 100 countries.

Is KFC still successful? ›

KFC was able to put out its own successful chicken sandwich in 2021. Indeed, that year it appeared the brand was finally on a legitimate growth path domestically. It generated eight years of same-store sales growth and added net new restaurants for the first time in 17 years.

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