McDonald's vs Jersey Mike'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).
Jersey Mike's
The prospectus describes area-development agreements and a separate franchise agreement for each restaurant; terms may vary.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Jersey Mike's July 31, 2026 prospectusSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Source publication date: .Document basis: Public-company prospectus describing latest standard agreements; not an FDD.
Operating commitment
An area-development agreement specifies restaurant count, protected area and opening schedule. Confirm current eligibility with the brand.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
- Jersey Mike's July 31, 2026 prospectusSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Source publication date: .Document basis: Public-company prospectus describing latest standard agreements; not an FDD.
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 | Jersey Mike'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.
| Not verified in reviewed sources United States No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
|
| 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.
| $20,000 Latest standard agreements described in July 2026 prospectus; per store opened under an area-development agreement
|
| 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 to be developed under an area-development agreement; July 2026 prospectus Separate from the initial franchise fee. The prospectus describes the latest standard agreements at that date; confirm current terms.
|
| 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.
| Not verified in reviewed sources United States No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
|
| 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.
| Not verified in reviewed sources United States No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
|
| 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.
| 6.5% Percentage of gross receipts; latest standard agreements in prospectus
|
| 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.
| 5% Percentage of gross receipts; total advertising-fund contribution
|
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).
Jersey Mike's
- Jersey Mike's July 31, 2026 prospectusSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).Source publication date: .Document basis: Public-company prospectus describing latest standard agreements; not an FDD.
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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