Made-to-order growth

McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is much more than a burger chain. Its all-day breakfast menu has threatened pancake-slinging chains and the company is moving aggressively into the future with kiosk ordering, a revamped value menu, a delivery partnership with Uber and renovated stores; all suggest the company’s recent growth may continue.

CEO Steve Easterbrook has unlocked more profits by refranchising restaurants in China and elsewhere around the globe, and the stock has soared since he took over in 2015, with shares up 73 percent over the last three years. Refranchising has pushed the percentage of company-owned locations down to 8 percent from 19 percent at the end of 2015, reducing reported revenue but raising profit margins.

While many of its peers have complained about a “restaurant recession,” McDonald’s has posted consistently strong comparable sales growth, outpacing its rivals. Customer traffic has been growing, too.

The fast-food giant is no slouch in the dividend department, either, having raised its payout annually since 1976. Recently, it yielded 2.5 percent. McDonald’s has demonstrated that it can respond to shifting consumer tastes while maintaining — and even boosting — its profitability, earnings and direct shareholder returns. For a combination of growth, income, and security, give the Golden Arches some consideration.