McDonald’s replaces Starbucks as the ‘most valuable’ restaurant brand

Starbucks brand valuation dropped by 36% versus last year. That majorly hefty drop was driven by declines in key brand health metrics, including reputation and recommendation.

According to the study, the coffee chain’s brand value is now $38.76bn. What this means is McDonald’s has now overtaken it as the most valuable restaurant brand, with a brand value of $40.51bn.

Brand Finance, who was behind the study, uses the ‘royalty relief’ method to calculate its brand valuation. The method determines the value a company would be willing to pay to license its brand if it did not own it.

KFC ranks at number three, with a value of $15.36bn, and Subway at number four, with a value of $8.08bn. Fellow Yum Brands! restaurant Taco Bell rounds out the top five, with a value of $6.92bn.

Ok, so what does this mean for us marketers far removed from the restaurant industry? Not much really. But perhaps it’s time to order up some takeout.