Chicago-based McDonald’s USA on September 15, 2025 announced a $200-million regenerative beef farming investment in the United States.

The company will partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and other national agencies to promote sustainable ranching.

Funds will maintain watershed ecosystems, restore overgrazed pastures and modernize ranch infrastructure.

At the core of the announcement is a need to promote frequent movement in ranches to give grass time to recover.

The $200 million will nurture 4 million acres of grassland across 38 states in the space of seven years. 

Ranchers can access the fund through mediating organizations from which the NFWF will independently choose winners starting January 2026. 

McDonald’s says that beef has been at the heart of its menu for the seven decades of operation, hence the investment.

Cesar Piña, the brand’s North American chief supply chain officer stated that McDonald’s reaches “more than 90% of Americans.”

The claim rivals a recent vow by the multinational’s Australia operation to offer 100% Aussie beef despite the return of American imports there.  

Foodservice Beef Sales

While the latest venture is about regeneration, it also whets an appetite to learn how foodservice affects beef retail in the U.S. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), retail sales contribute over 3/4 of all beef consumption in the U.S.

Between 2004 and 2024, retailers expended 17.3 billion pounds out of a maximum 27.7 billion pounds of beef annually.

By 2023, American foodservice beef sales were worth $50 billion or nearly double 2020’s $27.1 billion, per the Beef Search.

Restaurants provide the bulk of beef distribution in the U.S.’ foodservice at around 64% share, by mostly selling burger patties. 

The above data therefore mirrors the claim by the Chicago burger giant that it serves 90% of Americans. Thus its regenerative beef farming investment highlights the following stats on the federal cattle sector.

United States Regenerative Cattle Farming Statistics 

The U.S.’ cattle numbers slumped to their lowest levels since 1951 in early 2024, to 87,200,000 head. The slash in the head count was to do with a 2023-24 drought, spotlighting the need for regenerating ranches. The main idea is to keep herds moving regularly to promote grass regrowth, recover watersheds and protect the soil from erosion.

In 2023, the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) spent millions in key ranching states for regenerative purposes. Idaho received $3.7 million while Montana $18 million. Corporates such as McDonald’s in September 2025 entered the ring by promising $200 million to regenerative cattle ranches.

What portion of the U.S.’ land is under regenerative agriculture?

Only about 1.5% of crop farms and ranches in the U.S. practise regenerative agriculture, as of 2025.  However, 5% have organic certifications and 15% combine normal and regenerative patterns. 

Is regenerative ranching profitable? 

As a whole, regenerative agriculture ups farm profits by up to 25% over conventional practices. According to the World Metrics, regenerative practices boost soil quality in 85% of all reported cases worldwide. It also cuts 70% of soil degradation through erosion, helping grass regrow.