Other Brands Retreat, McDonald's Aims for 10,000 Outlets in China

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - McDonald’s is reportedly planning to have 10,000 outlets in China by 2028, at a time when many other Western brands in the country are under pressure.

The number of McDonald’s outlets in mainland China is already recorded at 7,700 units by the end of 2025.

In contrast, other brands such as Nike, Starbucks, and LVMH are facing pressures in China.

Citing CNBC, this robust growth makes China the country with the second-highest number of McDonald’s outlets in the world after the United States (US).

McDonald’s reported that sales at its outlets in the country grew by 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1) on Thursday (7/5/2026).

McDonald’s reported that 52 percent of its business in China is owned by local investor Trustar Capital, an affiliate of private equity CITIC Capital Holding Limited.

CNBC states that McDonald’s presence in China benefits from the nostalgic sentiment among the Chinese public.

McDonald’s recent limited-time reintroduction of the classic milkshake menu last summer went viral.

McDonald’s had previously stopped selling the product in 2014.

The US company then announced it would offer milkshakes in vanilla and strawberry flavours only at 44 outlets in 15 cities.

One consumer, Zhu Ming, bought a McDonald’s milkshake to reminisce about his childhood.

He was willing to travel for half an hour just to taste the drink he had as a child.

“I remember the first time I drank this milkshake when I was little,” Zhu Ming told CNBC.