# US fast food corporation dividend increases

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-fast-food-corporation-dividend-increases
> Updated: 2026-10-14T06:30:40.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

Major US fast food corporations have announced consecutive annual dividend increases. McDonald's Corporation raised its quarterly dividend by 3.8% to $1.93 per share, marking its 50th consecutive year of increases and achieving ‘Dividend King’ status. 

Following this, Starbucks Corporation announced a quarterly dividend increase from $0.62 to $0.63 per share, representing its sixteenth consecutive annual increase. Chief Financial Officer Cathy Smith noted the move reflects the company’s ‘continued confidence’ despite fluctuations in quarterly earnings.

Regarding McDonald's, recent data shows that while global system sales reached $139.4 billion in 2025, comparable sales growth has slowed. In the second quarter of 2026, worldwide comparable sales grew by 1.3%, while US growth was 0.8%. In the US market, a decline in guest numbers was partially mitigated by higher average spending and a more favorable product mix. 

To combat these operational pressures, McDonald's is executing its ‘NEXT’ strategy, an $8.5 billion investment designed to increase restaurant efficiency and gain market share. The company maintains a heavy reliance on its franchise model, which represented approximately 95% of its restaurants by the end of 2025.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-14: McDonald's achieves 50th consecutive dividend increase

McDonald's has reached “dividend king” status after 50 consecutive years of dividend increases, despite facing recent pressure on US guest numbers and implementing an $8.5 billion growth strategy.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-achieves-50th-consecutive-dividend-increase

### 2026-10-07: Starbucks announces 16th consecutive annual dividend increase

Starbucks has increased its quarterly dividend to $0.63 per share, marking its 16th consecutive year of annual dividend raises.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/starbucks-announces-16th-consecutive-annual-dividend-increase

### 2026-09-18: McDonald's announces 50th consecutive annual dividend increase

McDonald's has announced a quarterly dividend of $1.93 per share, marking its 50th consecutive annual increase and achieving ‘Dividend King’ status.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mcdonalds-announces-50th-consecutive-annual-dividend-increase

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Cite as: US fast food corporation dividend increases. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-fast-food-corporation-dividend-increases