Who has eaten the most McDonald's?

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

Since 1972, a retired correctional officer from Wisconsin has been on a half-century-long journey of daily devotion to a single menu item. Meet Don Gorske, the Guinness World Records holder who has eaten the most McDonald's Big Macs, with a tally surpassing 35,000 burgers as of early 2025.

Quick Summary

The undisputed world record holder for eating the most Big Macs is Wisconsin resident Don Gorske. He has been eating the iconic McDonald's burger nearly every day since 1972 and meticulously tracks every burger he consumes, securing his place in history.

Key Points

The Record Holder: Don Gorske from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, holds the official Guinness World Record for the most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime.
The Astonishing Count: As of March 15, 2025, Gorske's documented total surpassed 35,000 Big Macs, a number he continues to increase.
A Lifelong Habit: His obsession began on May 17, 1972, and he has eaten the burger nearly every day since, with only a handful of exceptions.
Documentary Star: Gorske has appeared in documentaries, including Super Size Me, and is known for meticulously tracking every single burger.
Health and Lifestyle: Despite his unconventional diet, Gorske attributes his relatively good health to a daily walking routine and abstaining from fries.
Consistent Methodology: He once ate up to nine Big Macs in a single day but has since settled into a routine of consuming two daily.

The Man Behind the McDonald's Record: Don Gorske

Donald A. Gorske of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, holds the remarkable Guinness World Record for consuming the most Big Mac burgers in a lifetime. His culinary journey began on May 17, 1972, and has continued almost uninterrupted for more than 50 years. Gorske's dedication started the day he got his first car and drove straight to McDonald's, where he ate three Big Macs for lunch and a total of nine that day. This extraordinary habit has earned him international fame and numerous media appearances.

A Lifetime of Big Mac Consumption

Throughout his decades-long quest, Gorske has kept meticulous records of every single Big Mac he has consumed, including saving all the receipts and cartons. He has been featured in documentaries like Super Size Me, which shed light on his unusual but unwavering dietary habits. His consistency is legendary; in more than five decades, he has only missed a handful of days without eating a Big Mac due to specific circumstances.

The Milestones of a Big Mac Enthusiast

Gorske's pursuit is marked by a series of impressive, well-documented milestones. Here is a timeline of some of his most celebrated burger counts:

May 17, 1972: Consumes his first Big Mac.
1999: Secures his first Guinness World Record for eating 15,490 Big Macs.
May 17, 2011: Celebrates eating his 25,000th Big Mac.
May 4, 2018: Reaches the 30,000 Big Mac milestone.
March 2024: Extends his record to over 34,000 burgers.
March 15, 2025: Celebrates eating his 35,000th Big Mac.

Comparing Gorske's Record to Others

While Gorske's record focuses on a single menu item, other fast-food records exist. The table below compares Gorske's achievement to a record focusing on rapid, single-day consumption.


Feature	Don Gorske's Big Mac Record	Munachimso Brian Nwana's Fast-Food Record
Record Type	Most burgers eaten in a lifetime	Most fast-food restaurants visited in 24 hours
Individual	Donald A. Gorske (USA)	Munachimso Brian Nwana (Nigeria)
Achievement	Over 35,000 Big Macs as of March 2025	Visited 150 restaurants in 24 hours
Timeframe	Over 50 years (since 1972)	24 hours (April 24-25, 2024)
Methodology	Daily consumption, meticulously tracked	Walked between venues, documented visits
Recognition	Guinness World Records	Guinness World Records

The Health Question and Lifestyle Balance

One of the surprising aspects of Gorske's story is his seemingly normal health profile. He attributes this to a few key habits:

No Fries: He always skips the fries.
Daily Walking: Gorske reportedly walks around six miles each day.
No Other Fast Food: He primarily sticks to his Big Mac diet.

While his methods are unconventional, Gorske's story offers a compelling case study. It highlights the importance of overall lifestyle factors like exercise, even with an unusual food preference. Health experts consistently caution against relying on fast food due to its high levels of fat, sodium, and additives.

Conclusion

Don Gorske's five-decade-long journey of consuming McDonald's Big Macs is a testament to an individual's unique obsessions. By combining his love for a single burger with disciplined tracking and a surprisingly balanced lifestyle (at least in his eyes), he has carved out a unique place in pop culture. While not a diet for the average person, Gorske's achievement serves as a fascinating example of extreme eating habits recognized by the Guinness World Records.

For more insight into this famous record holder, his health, and a timeline of his achievements, his Wikipedia entry provides a comprehensive overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

The world record holder for eating the most Big Macs is Donald A. Gorske, a retired correctional officer from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

As of March 15, 2025, Don Gorske has eaten over 35,000 Big Macs throughout his lifetime.

Don Gorske has been eating Big Macs since May 17, 1972, meaning he has maintained his habit for over 50 years.

While Big Macs make up the vast majority of his diet, Gorske does occasionally eat other things, like ice cream or potato chips, and avoids the fries with his burgers.

Gorske claims he maintains his health by consistently walking six miles a day and only drinking diet soda, while abstaining from the fries.

Don Gorske has been featured in the documentaries Super Size Me (2004) and Don Gorske: Mac Daddy (2005), which explored his unique eating habit.

Yes, Don Gorske continues to extend his own record. He most recently surpassed 35,000 Big Macs in March 2025 and has no plans to stop.

Yes, Gorske has missed only a handful of days in over 50 years. Notable exceptions include the day his mother passed away and times when a snowstorm prevented him from getting to a McDonald's.