McDonald's vs Hardee's
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).
Hardee's
The brand prefers multi-unit agreements; smaller agreements may be considered. Its requirements page still cites the 2024 FDD.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Hardee's franchising requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Page explicitly refers to the 2024 FDD; historical web summary.
- Hardee's franchise FAQSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Operating commitment
The franchisee acquires the real estate and contracts construction, with site and design assistance from the brand.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Hardee's franchising requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Page explicitly refers to the 2024 FDD; historical web summary.
- Hardee's franchise FAQSource 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 | Hardee's |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
| $1,375,000–$2,637,395 Historical 2024 FDD web-summary estimate; per unit Current FDD terms have not been verified. This is not a 2026 estimate.
|
| 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.
| Confirm conflicting sources United States Requirements page gives $25,000–$35,000 by restaurant count; undated FAQ gives $25,000. Confirm current terms.
|
| 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.
| $10,000 Per restaurant; listed separately from franchise fee
|
| 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.
| $300,000 Minimum liquid assets per unit; historical 2024 web summary Confirm current FDD requirements.
|
| 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.
| $1,000,000 Minimum net worth per unit; historical 2024 web summary Confirm current FDD requirements.
|
| 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.
| |
| 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.
| Confirm conflicting sources United States Requirements page says up to 7%; FAQ says 5.5% of gross sales. Confirm current national, regional and local obligations.
|
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).
Hardee's
- Hardee's franchising requirementsSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Document basis: Page explicitly refers to the 2024 FDD; historical web summary.
- Hardee's franchise FAQSource 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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