For the first time in almost a decade, McDonald’s has reclaimed the title of the world’s most valuable restaurant brand, beating out Starbucks. Complaints of high prices and long wait times have seen millions of customers fleeing from the coffee chain. Starbucks had been at the top of Brand Finance’s annual study for eight consecutive years before dropping to second place in 2025. The coffee giant dented consumer trust after being the target of a high-profile boycott campaign related to the conflict in Gaza. Starbucks new CEO, Brian Niccol, is trying to turn things around by changing the company’s business approach, eliminating multiple drinks from the menu and laying off more than 1,000 employees. McDonald’s, on the other hand, continues to add new and fan-favorite items to the menu to keep up with competition from other brands. The burger chain has also added the “McValue” platform, which includes the $5 Meal Deal and Buy One, Add One for $1 specials. Brand Finance found that “McDonald’s reliably delivers a consistent, efficient product, ensuring customers know what to expect."
