You're walking down Broadway, the wind is whipping between the skyscrapers, and suddenly that familiar smell of salty fries hits you. It’s universal. But in a city of over 8 million people, you’d think there’s a Golden Arches on every single corner. Honestly, it feels that way sometimes.
If you've ever wondered how many McDonald's in New York City actually exist, the answer is more surprising than you might think. It’s not thousands. It’s not even five hundred.
As of early 2026, the count for McDonald's locations across the five boroughs sits at approximately 220 to 230 restaurants.
Why the "approximately"? Because the New York real estate market is basically a game of musical chairs. One week a spot in the East Village closes because the rent became astronomical; the next week, a digital-only pickup window opens in a tiny storefront in Queens. According to data from the Center for an Urban Future and recent 2025-2026 retail trackers, the number has actually been on a slight, steady decline over the last few years.
The Borough Breakdown: Where the Burgers Are
It’s easy to assume Manhattan has the most. It’s the densest, right? Actually, the "State of the Chains" reports often show a fierce rivalry between Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
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Brooklyn usually leads the pack or sits a very close second. Recent 2025 data specifically called out Brooklyn as having around 46 to 50 locations. That sounds like a lot until you realize Brooklyn is big enough to be the fourth-largest city in America if it were on its own.
Manhattan follows closely with about 49 to 52 locations. You’ll find them clustered in high-traffic hubs like 34th Street near Penn Station, Canal Street, and the Financial District.
Queens is no slouch either, hovering around the 44-location mark. It’s interesting to see how these are spread out—mostly along major arteries like Northern Boulevard or tucked into transit hubs like Flushing.
Then you have the Bronx (around 39 locations) and Staten Island, which has the fewest (usually around 8 to 10). Staten Island's numbers are low because the borough is way more car-dependent and has a massive "mom and pop" pizzeria culture that fights hard for every lunch dollar.
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Why the Number of McDonald's in New York City is Shrinking
You'd think a giant like McDonald's would be bulletproof. But NYC is a different beast.
- The "Dunkin" Dominance: If you look at the 2025-2026 "State of the Chains" report by the Center for an Urban Future, McDonald's isn't even the biggest chain in the city. Not even close. Dunkin' (formerly Dunkin' Donuts) has over 600 locations. New Yorkers run on coffee, apparently, more than Big Macs.
- Rent Hikes: Landlords in NYC don't care if you're a multi-billion dollar corporation. If they think they can get more from a luxury condo developer or a high-end "experiential" retail brand, they'll hike the rent.
- Delivery Culture: Since 2020, the way we eat has shifted. McDonald's is leaning into smaller "dark kitchens" or "delivery-optimized" storefronts. They don't need a 2,000-square-foot dining room in Midtown if 70% of the orders are going out the door in a DoorDash bag.
The "Most Famous" McDonald's Locations
Not all of these 200+ spots are created equal. Some are basically landmarks.
- 160 Broadway (Wall Street): For years, this was the "Fancy McDonald's." It had a piano player, chandeliers, and doormen. While it has modernized and lost some of that "Gilded Age" weirdness, it’s still a surreal place to grab a McDouble.
- Times Square: This is the flagship. It’s massive, glowing with LED screens, and stays open 24 hours. If you want to see the intersection of global tourism and fast food, this is the ground zero.
- Canal Street: This one is always a fever dream. It’s tucked into the chaos of Chinatown, and the contrast between the street vendors selling "designer" bags outside and the kiosks inside is pure New York.
Comparing the Count to Other Cities
When you look at how many McDonald's in New York City there are compared to a place like Houston or Chicago, New York actually feels "under-McDonald'd."
Houston has over 120 locations for a much smaller population. Why? Drive-thrus. NYC is a walking city. Building a drive-thru in Manhattan is nearly impossible due to zoning laws and, well, common sense. You can’t exactly have a line of 15 SUVs idling on a narrow street in Greenwich Village.
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Actionable Tips for Navigating NYC McDonald's
If you’re a local or just visiting and need your fix, keep these things in mind:
- Check the App First: NYC prices are higher than the national average. A Big Mac in Manhattan might cost you a dollar or two more than one in Ohio. Use the app for those "$2 any size fries" deals—they work even in the expensive zip codes.
- Late Night Safety: Many NYC locations are 24 hours, but the "lobby" often closes at 10 PM or 11 PM for security. You might have to order at a walk-up window or via the app for pickup.
- The "Secret" Restrooms: In a city where finding a public bathroom is like finding a four-leaf clover, McDonald's used to be the go-to. Be warned: almost all of them now require a code printed on your receipt.
- Avoid Peak Times in Midtown: If you go to the 7th Avenue McDonald's near Madison Square Garden right after a concert or a Knicks game, you are going to wait 20 minutes for a cheeseburger. Walk three blocks north or south; there’s almost always another one with half the line.
The landscape of the city is always changing. While the number of locations might be slightly lower than its peak in the mid-2010s, McDonald's remains a core part of the NYC survival kit. Whether it’s a 3 AM snack after a night out in Bushwick or a quick breakfast before catching the 4 train, those 220-ish locations aren't going anywhere.
To find the one closest to you right now, your best bet is to use the official McDonald's store locator or the mobile app, as Google Maps occasionally struggles to keep up with the rapid "closed for renovation" cycles common in Manhattan.