How many Big Macs does McDonald’s sell each year? Not as many as this top menu item

With a massive footprint of 44,000 locations across the globe, it is no surprise that McDonald’s moves an incredible amount of beef. According to official company data, the chain sold a staggering 719 million pounds of burgers throughout 2023.

The Big Mac's Standing

Much of that beef production is dedicated to one of the most iconic menu items in fast-food history: the Big Mac. As Taryn Pire noted for Mashed, the signature sandwich remains a powerhouse for the brand. In the United States alone, McDonald’s moves approximately 550 million Big Macs annually. While that figure is massive, it only accounts for the U.S. market, excluding the more than 100 other countries where the sandwich is sold.

The Undisputed King of the Menu

Despite the notoriety of the Big Mac, it does not hold the title for the most popular item on the menu. That distinction belongs to McDonald’s world-famous French fries. McDonald’s reports that the chain serves about 3.6 billion orders of fries every year in the U.S. alone. A 2022 report highlighted the pecking order for customers, listing fries as the top-ordered item, followed by the cheeseburger and the McChicken.

A Legacy Created in 1968

The Big Mac has a unique history, dating back to 1968 when it was created by Pittsburg franchise owner Jim Delligatti. It contains less beef than a Quarter Pounder with cheese, making it a distinct option on the menu. Interestingly, the sandwich almost had a different identity; a secretary in the company’s advertising department suggested the name 'Big Mac,' ultimately beating out other proposed titles like 'The Aristocrat' and 'Blue Ribbon Burger.' Stay tuned to 205focus.com for more deep dives into your favorite food brands.