Can I mention McDonald's in my book?
Asked by: Zane Ferry I | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (14 votes)
Yes, you can mention McDonald's in your book, as using real brand names for realistic settings is generally allowed, but you must be careful to avoid disparagement, false statements, or implying endorsement, with the safest approach often being creating a fictional equivalent to prevent legal risks and creative limitations, say experts. While factual, neutral references are usually fine, using brands can date your work or invite issues if portrayed negatively, so many suggest fictionalizing names (like "McBurger") for more control, notes this Reddit thread and Quora users.
Can I use McDonald's in my book?
you can safely have a character stop at a McDonald's for a burger. Some publishers will even get itchy about using even that kind of factual reference, but again, you can totally avoid that problem if you just write 'he stopped by his favorite fast food place'. Some real places are totally usable.
Can you mention fast food places in books?
Editors are frequently asked whether it's permissible for writers to mention product or business names in books. The short answer is yes. The long answer is be careful. By the nature of doing business, companies put their brands into the public forum and in fact usually appreciate publicity.
Can you mention a restaurant in a book?
As long as you're not disparaging a brand, it's generally fine to reference them. The only issue with making IRL references in fictional writing is you date the piece. You should consider if that is intentional, as in your setting is defined.
Is the name McDonald's copyrighted?
To prevent any other restaurant from using the name McDonald's, or from using a logo that looks like a stylized “M,” McDonald's can trademark both its name and logo (and a lot of other elements of its brand as well).
Stephen King Didn’t Want This Book Published #stephenking #pennywise #it #movie #movies #writer
Can I use the McDonald's logo?
You may not redistribute the trademarks or logos in hard copy or electronic form for others to use or copy. You may not modify the form, color or design of any logos. You may not animate or otherwise distort the appearance of any logos. You may not cut off or cover up any portion of the logos.
What if you invested $1000 in McDonald's 10 years ago?
If you invested $1,000 in McDonald's (MCD) stock about ten years ago (around early 2016), your investment would have grown significantly, likely more than tripling in value to roughly $3,000 to over $3,200 by early 2024, primarily due to strong stock performance and dividends, outperforming the general market like the S&P 500 over that period, driven by digital growth and menu innovation.
Can I mention Starbucks in my book?
The short answer is yes, but be careful about how you use those brands.
What is the 3 book rule?
In his famous book the 4-Hour Work Week, Tim Ferris shares this theory that if you read 3 books on a topic from different authors, you'll become more knowledgeable about it than 99% of people you know. It's a bold claim but it makes sense.
Why do books have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1?
The numbers 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on a book's copyright page form a "printer's key," showing the print run; the lowest number indicates the printing (e.g., '1' means first printing), allowing publishers to track printings and make corrections without re-typesetting the entire page by simply removing the lowest number for each new run, a system dating from traditional printing presses.
Can you mention Coca-Cola in a book?
You're not violating trademarks because you aren't offering a similar product, depicting a logo, or similar and most IP laws do not extend to protect words and names (trade mark doesn't protect the soda brand Coca-Cola from being mentioned… it protects the logo that is thought of when you think of Coca-Cola from being ...
What is Gen Z's favorite fast-food?
Gen Z's favorite fast-food chains consistently include Chick-fil-A as the top choice for its chicken, with McDonald's and Chipotle often tying for second or placing high, followed by other popular spots like Wendy's, Subway, and Taco Bell, prioritizing speed, price, and convenience, especially for chicken tenders and customizable options.
Can I mention Harry Potter in my book?
If all you want to do is make a brief reference to a famous book or character (perhaps your character is a Harry Potter fan), you're probably okay.
Can you mention Disney in a book?
As long as you're not implying any official connection or endorsement from Disney, your usage should be fine. Make sure the context clearly shows it's just a setting in your story. However, it's always a good idea to review trademark guidelines or consult with a legal professional to ensure you're fully compliant.
Does McDonald's have a disclaimer?
McDonald's disclaims all warranties of merchantability and fitness or a particular purpose.
Does JK Rowling write under a pseudonym?
Yes, J.K. Rowling is a pen name for her birth name, Joanne Rowling; her publisher suggested the initials to make the books seem less gender-specific to young boys, so she added "K" (for her grandmother Kathleen) to her first name, Jo, making it J.K. Rowling. She also uses another pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, for her crime novels to write without the fame of her main identity.
What is the 5 finger rule for books?
The Five Finger Rule is a simple strategy for choosing a "just right" book by checking its difficulty level: pick a page, read it, and hold up a finger for each unknown word; 2-3 fingers means it's a good fit, 0-1 means too easy, and 4-5 means too hard for independent reading, suggesting it's better to find a different book or read it with help.
Can a book have three povs?
Unless you're writing a first-person mystery (and I've read first person mysteries that successfully incorporate a second or even third POV in alternate chapters), you can use more than one POV in a book. It's your story. If it is best served with one POV, write it that way.
What is Colleen Hoover's darkest book?
Colleen Hoover's darkest books, often cited by fans, include Verity, known for its psychological thriller elements and disturbing manuscript, and Too Late, infamous for its graphic abuse, drug use, and mature themes, while her recent novel Woman Down is also described by Hoover herself as one of her darkest yet, featuring intense infidelity and toxicity. These books delve into intense psychological suspense, graphic content, and morally grey areas, setting them apart from her more mainstream romance novels like It Ends With Us.
Can I mention brands in my book?
Can I mention brand name products in my fiction? The short answer is 'yes'. However, it's important to know how you're using said brands to determine if you might be liable to legal action being taken against you.
Can I mention Star Wars in my book?
The term 'Star Wars' itself is trademarked. You can't just use trademarks in your book title without permission. Traditional publishers would not print a book with that in the title unless there was something in writing saying they were allowed to do so.
What is Herman Melville's most famous book?
Herman Melville's most famous novel is undeniably Moby-Dick; or, The Whale (1851), renowned for its epic scope, deep philosophical themes, and iconic story of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for the white whale, though it was a commercial failure in its time and only gained massive recognition later as a masterpiece of American literature.
What if I invested $10,000 in Apple in 1990?
Investing $10,000 in Apple (AAPL) stock in 1990 would have yielded an astronomical return, making you a multimillionaire many times over by today, with calculations suggesting it would be worth tens of millions of dollars (or potentially over $100 million with dividends reinvested) due to incredible growth, stock splits, and the success of products like the iPhone, though exact figures vary slightly based on calculation dates and dividend reinvestment, Yahoo Finance.
Did the McDonald's brothers get their 1% royalties?
No, the McDonald brothers did not get their promised 1% royalties because Ray Kroc never put it in the final contract, relying on a handshake agreement that he later ignored, though they received a substantial $2.7 million buyout in 1961, with each brother getting about $1 million after taxes, which was a fortune but far less than perpetual royalties would have been. While the brothers were initially erased from history, they later received some recognition and wealth, but the lack of royalties became a famous point of contention, highlighting the importance of written contracts in business.
Is investing in McDonald's a good idea?
McDonald's (MCD) is generally considered a stable, long-term investment for risk-averse investors seeking income, thanks to its strong franchise model, consistent profits, and growing dividend (potentially reaching "Dividend King" status). However, analyst sentiment leans towards a "Hold," with some seeing potential short-term weakness due to macroeconomic pressures like inflation and consumer spending, while others highlight its resilience and growth potential from new store openings and strong brand recognition, suggesting it's a reliable blue-chip stock despite potential market underperformance in growth-focused rallies.