McDonald's U.S. franchisees will start paying into a digital marketing fund next year as the fast-food giant looks to expand its booming digital business, according to a memo viewed by CNBC on Thursday. Loyalty program members accounted for more than $6 billion in system-wide sales globally during McDonald's first quarter. The company has 34 million active digital customers in the U.S. By comparison, Chipotle Mexican Grill has 40 million loyalty members, while Starbucks has 32.8 million. In December, McDonald's said it aims to reach 100 million loyalty program members by 2027. Franchisees in the U.K., Canada, Australia and Germany will also pay into the global digital marketing fund.

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Persons: Tariq Hassan, Whitney McGinnis, McDonald's Organizations: CNBC, Grill, Starbucks Locations: U.S, Canada, Australia, Germany