McDonald's vs Five Guys: How Their Beef Patties Differ
A comparison of the beef used by McDonald's and Five Guys reveals key differences in freshness, cuts, and seasoning, with one chain favoring frozen
McDonald's and Five Guys take fundamentally different approaches to their burger patties. The key distinctions lie in the freshness of the beef, the specific cuts used, and whether the meat is seasoned before cooking.
Five Guys commits to patties that are never frozen, while McDonald's freezes most of its beef. An exception is the McDonald's Quarter Pounder, which has been cooked to order with fresh meat in most contiguous U.S. locations since 2018. Both chains use 100% beef without fillers or additives.
Beef sourcing and composition
McDonald's forms its patties from ground trimmings of three main beef cuts: chuck, sirloin, and round. The chain does not publish the exact lean-to-fat ratio for its blend. Five Guys is specific about using only ground chuck with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio, which is considered an industry standard for a juicy burger.
The McDonald's method
McDonald's uses 100% USDA-certified ground beef with no fillers. The patties are formed and frozen at a supplier, typically reaching customers two to three weeks later. They are cooked on a flat-top grill and seasoned with salt and pepper. According to the source, while frozen beef does not inherently mean subpar quality, some customers prefer the taste of never-frozen meat.
The Five Guys approach
Five Guys states its patties contain no artificial extras, spices, flour, breadcrumbs, or soy sauce. The fresh ground chuck is patted by hand, cooked well-done on a flat-top, and served without any seasoning. The chain's commitment to fresh, never-frozen beef is a major point of differentiation within the fast-food burger sector.
Both chains cook their beef on a flat-top grill. The source notes that Five Guys has expanded to about 2,000 locations globally since its 1986 founding in Arlington, Virginia, and is known for its generous portions. McDonald's, founded in the 1950s, is recognized for its global scale and consistency. The report concludes that each chain's beef strategy aligns with its broader market position, with Five Guys positioned as a higher-end option and McDonald's emphasizing efficiency and widespread availability.
