Serving billions of hamburgers has put a shine on these arches. McDonald's has more than 36,500 restaurants serving burgers and fries in about 120 countries. (There are more than 14,250 Golden Arches locations in the US.) The popular chain is well-known for its Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, and Chicken McNuggets. Most of the outlets are free-standing units offering dine-in and drive-through service, but McDonald's also has many eateries located in airports, retail areas, and other high-traffic locations. More than 80% of the restaurants are run by franchisees or affiliates.