VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★
NO ADVICE
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Stock Comparison
McDonald's Corporation vs Paychex, Inc.
Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.
McDonald's Corporation
MCD · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into McDonald's Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View MCD analysisPaychex, Inc.
PAYX · NASDAQ Global Select Market
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
Full stock profile
Dive deeper into Paychex, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.
View PAYX analysisComparison highlights
- Moat score gap: McDonald's Corporation leads (80 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Paychex, Inc.).
- Segment focus: McDonald's Corporation has 3 segments (48.7% in International Operated Markets); Paychex, Inc. has 3 segments (73% in Management Solutions).
- Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
- Moat breadth: McDonald's Corporation has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Paychex, Inc. has 7 across 4.
Primary market context
McDonald's Corporation
International Operated Markets
Quick-service restaurants and informal eating out (IEO)
International operated markets (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, U.K.)
Consumers (end customers) and franchisees (B2B system partners)
Franchisor / restaurant operator
48.7%
Paychex, Inc.
Management Solutions
Payroll processing and integrated HCM solutions for SMB and mid-market employers
United States (primarily)
Employers (SMB and mid-market)
HCM SaaS + outsourced payroll/HR service provider
73%
Side-by-side metrics
Moat coverage
Shared moat types
No overlap yet.
McDonald's Corporation strengths
Paychex, Inc. strengths
Segment mix
McDonald's Corporation segments
Full profile >U.S.
Competitive
International Operated Markets
Competitive
International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate
Competitive
Paychex, Inc. segments
Full profile >Management Solutions
Oligopoly
PEO and Insurance Solutions
Competitive
Client funds float (interest on funds held for clients)
Oligopoly
Want the full wide moat stocks list?
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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.
View expansion-stage stocksCuration & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.