McDonald's CEO: Two-tier U.S. economy boosts high earners, hurts everyday customers

McDonald's CEO described the U.S. as a two-tier economy where households making more than $100,000 are prospering amid stock market highs, while middle- and lower-income consumers are struggling and cutting back on purchases from everyday channels such as fast food. The comment frames a clear split between financial-market gains and the spending power of the consumers who drive day-to-day restaurant traffic.

The remark came on February 25, 2026, and the CEO tied the disparity directly to demand patterns at McDonald's, saying the divergence helps explain uneven fast-food demand from everyday customers. By linking profitability among higher earners to broader market strength, the CEO highlighted why traffic and transaction trends at core McDonald's locations may not be keeping pace with headline economic gains.

The comment centers on a specific income threshold - households above $100,000 - as the group benefiting from stock-market highs, contrasted with middle- and lower-income households that make up a large portion of McDonald's regular customer base. That contrast matters for restaurants where frequency and price sensitivity among everyday customers determine same-store sales, breakfast and value-menu performance, and the economics for franchisees and company-operated stores.

Industry attention to the CEO's statement has been immediate. The comment has sparked discussions about how a split economy changes marketing, pricing and product priorities, and how company leadership should balance value offers for lower-income customers with premium items that appeal to higher earners. Conversations are also focusing on whether broader macroeconomic signals from financial markets are masking slower consumer spending among people who visit McDonald's most often.

Looking ahead, the CEO positioned the two-tier description as a lens for interpreting consumer trends that affect McDonald's business model. The divide between households earning over $100,000 and middle- and lower-income consumers will be central to assessing fast-food demand, the company’s pricing decisions, and how McDonald's plans promotions and menu mixes to maintain traffic among everyday customers.