10 Best Kid-Friendly Stocks To Buy Right Now

8. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) popular Happy Meal, its mascot, and intriguing advertisements have continued to attract kids from across the globe. The fast food chain has been operating since 1940 and now boasts more than 40,000 locations across 100 countries worldwide, with 95% of them owned and run by independent business owners. The fast food company feeds nearly 68 million people every day, proof of its robust and sustainable business model. MCD has a huge emphasis on providing simple everyday value meals, which is also its selling point, and a key driver for long-term growth.

In the third quarter of 2024, the company generated $6.9 billion in consolidated revenues, an increase of 3% from the same quarter in 2023. Systemwide sales for the same quarter across 50 loyalty markets were $8 billion, and $28 billion for the trailing 12 months, as of September 2024. While sales declined in international markets, the US market grew by 0.3%. McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) attributes its growing revenues in the US to its targeted marketing campaigns and value meals.

Carillon Tower Advisers’ Carillon Eagle Growth & Income Fund stated the following regarding McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:

“McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) performed well as it met the expectations of investors looking for improvements in relative market share trends. The company’s introductions of menu items at premium- and medium-price tiers are picking up pace, allowing it to capture value more effectively.”