McDonald's vs Burger King
Compare published costs, candidate requirements and operating commitments.
All amounts are USD. Read the restaurant format, sales basis and exclusions beside each figure. Missing information means the reviewed sources did not establish a comparable amount.
Availability and operating model
McDonald's
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 (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 (America/Los_Angeles).
Burger King
The recruitment site covers the United States and Canada; restaurant format determines the published build-cost estimate.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Burger King franchise investmentSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Operating commitment
Discuss site format, ownership structure, training and the full recurring-fee schedule with the franchise team.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Burger King franchise investmentSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Published financial requirements
These figures describe different transactions and obligations. Initial fees, separate development fees and liquid-capital requirements are distinct; they are not added together here as a total project budget.
| Requirement | McDonald's | Burger King |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
| $348,400–$3,320,600 Estimated cost to build a new restaurant; varies by format The source describes build cost. Confirm land, financing and other inclusions before comparing an all-in project budget.
|
| 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.
| $50,000 Per restaurant; 20-year term
|
| 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.
| Not verified in reviewed sources United States No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
|
| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
| 4.5% Percentage of gross monthly sales
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| 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.
| 4.5% Percentage of gross monthly sales The page also lists building, training, digital and other recurring charges.
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Sources and review limits
The check date records when a source was reviewed. It is not the source publication date or the issue date of an FDD. Official web summaries that refer to an FDD are identified as summaries.
McDonald's
- McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Burger King
- Burger King franchise investmentSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Build a scenario from your own assumptions
These requirements do not establish restaurant sales or owner earnings. Use a budget for the actual format and transaction, and enter your own operating assumptions in the calculator.
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