1851

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-mcdonalds-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720737#most-recent-stories">McDonald’s</a> claimed the number one spot on this year’s “<a href="https://dcdx.co/gen-zs-top-25-most-magnetic-brands-2023?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers-2724389" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Most Magnetic Brands” report</a> from research and consulting firm dcdx. And it looks like it has none other than Grimace to thank.&nbsp;The firm defined&nbsp;<a href="https://dcdx.co/the-study-of-brand-magnetism?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers-2724389" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">brand magnetism</a> as a measure of “the ability of a brand to attract popular and consistent user-generated content” on a zero to 100 scale. The numbers on this scale represented the brand’s “Gen Z score,” which was a measure of how magnetic a brand is with that generation. McDonald’s, the only franchise to make the list, earned a nearly perfect score of 99.3.&nbsp;This year, the fast-food franchise jumped six spots, largely due to the reintroduction of Grimace, the purple monster that took social media by storm. The Grimace Birthday Meal, which featured a vibrant purple milkshake, led to a significant increase in restaurant traffic and sales. Gen Zers took the campaign and ran with it, spotlighting the shake on TikTok, with the trend garnering 1.4 billion views in a short two weeks.&nbsp;The report noted that McDonald’s “built a legacy with Gen Z over the past few years on collaborations.” That included a slew of campaigns with celebrity meals featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-travis-scott-meal-by-mcdonalds-is-the-franchises-first-celebrity-branded-meal-since-the-mcjordan-2713824">Travis Scott</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-partners-with-reggaetons-j-balvin-for-another-celebrity-branded-meal-2714037#stories">J Balvin</a>. Additionally, the brand introduced the “<a href="https://www.nrn.com/marketing/mcdonald-s-goes-global-its-latest-famous-order-campaign?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers-2724389" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">As Featured In</a>” meals this summer, which featured a collection of menu items that made appearances throughout film, television and music over the years.&nbsp;Following the success of Grimace, the franchise is banking on the success of another one of its nostalgic mascots: a part-alien, part-robot named CosMc. The brand is launching the new restaurant spinoff&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-franchise-creates-cosmcs-spinoff-fast-food-concept-2723161#stories">CosMc’s</a>, which will be a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald’s but its own personality, according to CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Kempczinski?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=mcdonalds-franchise-creates-cosmcs-spinoff-fast-food-concept-2723161&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers-2724389" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Kempczinski</a>.&nbsp;The success of these campaigns by McDonald’s emphasizes how the franchise industry can utilize&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-role-of-social-media-integration-in-franchise-success-2724061#industry">social media-friendly tactics</a> to get in Gen Z’s good graces.&nbsp;Read the full report&nbsp;<a href="https://dcdx.co/gen-zs-top-25-most-magnetic-brands-2023?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers-2724389" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&nbsp;Related Articles:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-franchise-creates-cosmcs-spinoff-fast-food-concept-2723161#stories">McDonald's Franchise Creates 'CosMc's' Spinoff Fast Food Concept</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-to-hike-royalty-fees-for-new-franchisees-marking-first-increase-in-30-years-2723700#most-recent-stories">McDonald's to Hike Royalty Fees for New Franchisees, Marking First Increase in 30 Years</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-open-a-mcdonalds-franchise-2721882#most-recent-stories">How Do You Open a McDonald’s Franchise?</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-mcdonalds-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720737#most-recent-stories">Franchise Deep Dive: McDonald’s Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data</a></li></ul>

McDonald’s Earns Title of Most Magnetic Brand Among Gen Z Consumers

1851 Franchise

From the Grimace shake to celebrity meals, McDonald’s has it down when it comes to attracting 11-to-26-year-old consumers. 

mcdonalds-earns-title-of-most-magnetic-brand-among-gen-z-consumers

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

McDonald’s Earns Title of Most Magnetic Brand Among Gen Z Consumers

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS