# McDonald's vs Wendy's: Franchise Costs & Requirements > Source: https://qsr.pro/compare/mcdonalds-vs-wendys > Publisher: QSR Pro Compare McDonald's and Wendy's published franchise requirements, availability and operating commitments, with direct sources and scope notes. The figures describe different transactions and obligations. Read each source’s restaurant format, sales basis and exclusions before comparing amounts. ## McDonald's **Opportunity:** 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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Read the McDonald's cost guide](https://qsr.pro/franchise-costs/mcdonalds) ## Wendy's **Opportunity:** Wendy’s seeks experienced operators. Its two official recruitment pages currently disagree on capital requirements; obtain confirmation for the proposed transaction. United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) **Operating commitment:** Its FAQ calls for an operating team devoted to restaurant development and operations, with a three-to-five-year business plan. United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **Initial franchise fee:** $50,000. US; per restaurant for a 20-year term Separate application and background-check charges apply. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **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. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **Liquid capital / personal funds:** Confirm conflicting sources. United States The recruitment page lists $2,000,000; the FAQ lists $500,000. Confirm the applicable requirement with Wendy’s. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **Net worth:** Confirm conflicting sources. United States The recruitment page lists $5,000,000; the FAQ lists $1,000,000. Confirm the applicable requirement with Wendy’s. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **Royalty / service fee:** Confirm conflicting sources. United States Both pages list 4–6%, but the recruitment page says gross sales and the FAQ says net sales. Confirm the agreement’s basis. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) - **Advertising / marketing contribution:** Confirm conflicting sources. United States The recruitment page lists 4% of gross sales split between national and local advertising; the FAQ describes contributions based on net sales and additional local advertising obligations without a rate. Confirm the agreement’s basis and full obligations. [Wendy's becoming a franchisee](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/becoming-a-franchisee) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Wendy's franchise FAQ](https://www.wendys.com/franchising/franchise-faqs) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.) [Read the Wendy's cost guide](https://qsr.pro/franchise-costs/wendys) These requirements do not establish restaurant sales, owner earnings or payback.