McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said spending patterns between higher- and lower-income consumers will diverge further. Win McNamee/Getty Images

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski hinted that the K-shaped economy might be getting worse.

He said higher-income consumers are spending normally, while lower-income shoppers are cutting back more.

Kempczinski added that consumer sentiment is marked by "heightened anxiety."

America is not getting relief from its K-shaped economy problem anytime soon, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said.

In a Thursday earnings call, Kempczinski said that the macro environment and consumer sentiment are "certainly not improving, and it may be getting a little bit worse."

The K-shaped economy, which refers to a divide in spending patterns between higher and lower-income consumers, has been a hot topic in retail earnings in recent months.

Kempczinski said the affluent continue to have "very resilient spending."

"And that is true for our business as well, where we're seeing…