If you’ve ever searched “how much does a McDonald’s franchise cost”, you’re not alone.
Every year, tens of thousands of aspiring business owners look into McDonald’s because it feels like the safest bet in franchising. It’s familiar. It’s everywhere. And it’s one of the few brands where customers show up whether the economy is booming or slowing down.
But once you move past the logo and the Golden Arches, the real question becomes much more practical:
What does the McDonald’s franchise breakdown actually look like in 2026—and does the math work?
This guide walks through the real costs, real earnings, and real expectations, using official McDonald’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) data, explained in plain English.
Before diving into the details, here’s the big-picture view most people want:
McDonald’s isn’t a shortcut to wealth—but it is one of the most predictable franchise models in the U.S.
Yes — and one of the most established franchise systems ever built.
McDonald’s began franchising in the 1950s and has spent decades refining a model that prioritizes consistency, control, and long-term brand strength. Today, more than 90% of McDonald’s U.S. restaurants are franchised, not corporate-owned.
What surprises many first-time buyers is how McDonald’s structures ownership.
McDonald’s typically owns or controls the real estate, while franchisees operate the business. That means you’re not just paying royalties—you’re also paying rent to McDonald’s. In return, you’re operating under one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.
As of the most recent FDD data:
McDonald’s growth today is less about opening thousands of new stores and more about maximizing performance, remodeling locations, and expanding digital and delivery sales.
This is where most people pause — and for good reason.
According to the official McDonald’s Franchise Disclosure Document, here’s what it takes to open a McDonald’s in the U.S.
That wide range depends on:
This makes McDonald’s one of the highest-cost franchise opportunities available—but also one of the most established.
Once your restaurant is open, McDonald’s takes a percentage of gross sales.
Here’s the ongoing franchise fee breakdown:
These fees are non-negotiable, but they also fund the systems, branding, and marketing power that keep customers coming back.
McDonald’s doesn’t rush new franchisees.
Before you’re approved, you’ll complete 12–18 months of hands-on training, including time at Hamburger University, McDonald’s internal training program.
This isn’t busywork. McDonald’s expects owners to understand:
It’s demanding—but it’s one reason performance across the system stays consistent.
According to system-wide averages referenced in the FDD:
Some locations perform far above that, while others fall below. Traffic patterns, labor costs, and management quality make a massive difference.
Revenue is impressive—but profit is what actually matters.
After labor, food costs, rent, royalties, and operating expenses, many McDonald’s franchises operate in the range of:
These are not guarantees—but they are realistic outcomes for well-managed restaurants.
For single-unit owner-operators, annual income often lands around:
Owners with multiple locations can earn significantly more, but that comes with:
McDonald’s ownership is a business, not a passive investment.
For the right person, yes.
McDonald’s remains profitable because:
The downside?
If you want freedom to experiment, McDonald’s isn’t ideal. If you want predictability, scale, and long-term durability, it’s hard to beat.
McDonald’s is not the franchise we recommend for most first-time buyers—but it is one of the strongest franchises in the world.
If you already have capital, operational discipline, and a long-term mindset, McDonald’s offers something few franchises can: consistency at scale. You’re not betting on a trend. You’re buying into a machine that’s been refined for decades.
That said, many entrepreneurs are better served starting with lower-cost franchises that still generate strong cash flow, then scaling up over time.
McDonald’s isn’t the only path to franchise success—it’s just the most recognizable one.
If McDonald’s feels like too much upfront, we’ve broken down lower-cost franchises that can still generate $1M+ in annual revenue.
👉 Download: 5 Low-Cost Franchises That Make $1,000,000 (Backed by Data)
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