McDonald's

MCD · EST. 1955 · Chicago, Illinois

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US UNITS13,6182025 record · QSR Pro estimates

GLOBAL UNITS41,8002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISED %95%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Figures, scope and source dates

01Our Coverage

12 STORIES

Latest

Restaurant spending rises as Wendy’s and Starbucks shares rally

U.S. food-service sales reached $92.9 billion in September. Earlier results at McDonald’s and Wendy’s show how larger checks can support sales and cushion rising costs.

Oct 19, 2026

McDonald’s plans $8.5 billion in franchise supportSep 24, 2026 Gabriel Vesci opens Paris Baguette after years running McDonald’sSep 15, 2026 McDonald’s puts U.S. operations and technology under one COOSep 15, 2026 LTO Fatigue Is Real: Placer.ai Data Shows McDonald's Big Launches Generating Only Modest Traffic LiftsMar 25, 2026 McDonald's Q1 2026 Preview: Winter Storms, Value Fatigue, and the Deceleration DebateMar 24, 2026 Restaurant Growth Stocks Hit a Wall: Inside the Late-February 2026 SelloffMar 24, 2026 McDonald's Race to 50,000: Inside the Biggest Expansion Bet in QSR HistoryMar 24, 2026 UC Santa Cruz Study Reveals the Real Impact of California's $20 Fast Food Wage: Higher Pay, Fewer Hours, and an Automation SurgeMar 24, 2026 Wendy’s reunites Wright and Cirulis in finance and strategySep 15, 2026 Wendy’s Gives Tariq Hassan a Combined Marketing and Customer Growth RoleSep 15, 2026 The QSR Labor Crisis in 2026: Wages, Automation, and the Fight for the Future of Fast FoodMar 28, 2026

02About the Brand

The world's largest fast-food chain serving burgers, fries, and breakfast items

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

12,752

2019

12,764

2020

12,788

2021

13,099

2022

12,860

2023

13,175

2024

13,618

2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019: QSR Pro estimates
2020: QSR Pro estimates
2021: QSR Pro estimates
2022: QSR Pro estimates
2023: QSR Pro estimates
2024: QSR Pro estimates
2025: QSR Pro estimates

Franchise Requirements

Availability and model

The published candidate-funding figures cover buying and operating an existing restaurant. New restaurants require a greater investment.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Operating commitment

Candidates must be willing to relocate and divest other business interests; restaurant interests must be divested before training.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Initial investment / development estimate: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Initial franchise fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Separate development fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Liquid capital / personal funds: $750,000
US existing-restaurant applicants; typical minimum personal funds
Non-borrowed, unencumbered funds; foreign-held funds are excluded. Primary-residence equity is considered only after the $750,000 minimum is met from other sources. Separately recommends $100,000 working capital per restaurant and $75,000 relocation funds. This is not a restaurant purchase price.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Net worth: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Royalty / service fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Advertising / marketing contribution: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Full cost guide and sources →Official McDonald's website

Segment Peers

Burger King Wendy's Sonic Drive-In Jack in the Box Five Guys

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