Did Bill Gates buy McDonald’s?
VERDICT
CONFIDENCE
100%
Direct Answer
Bill Gates did not buy McDonald’s company. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust purchased shares in McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) as part of its investment portfolio, adding 10.13% to its holdings in Q4 2013 for about 10.87 million shares worth roughly 5.3% of the portfolio. No evidence exists of acquiring the entire chain, which remains publicly traded.
What the Evidence Shows
The claim implies full ownership of McDonald’s, but records show only stock investments by Gates' foundation, starting in 2007 with multiple buys and minor sells, never approaching control. McDonald’s is a publicly traded company with diverse shareholders, and Gates' stake is a small fraction. This distinction between buying shares and buying the company makes the claim false.
Why People Get This Wrong
Confusion arises from headlines like 'Bill Gates Foundation Buys McDonald’s' referring to stock purchases, not company acquisition. Viral rumors exaggerate minor investments into full ownership myths, amplified by unrelated stories like a fake 'Gold Card' for free food.
Does Bill Gates own McDonald’s stock?
Yes, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust holds McDonald’s shares, acquiring them starting in 2007 with additions like 10.13% in Q4 2013, totaling about 10.87 million shares or 5.3% of its portfolio as of then.
Who owns McDonald’s Corporation?
McDonald’s is publicly traded on NYSE (MCD) with institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock as top shareholders; no single individual like Bill Gates owns it outright.
Sources & Methodology
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