Franchise Cost Guide
How Much Does a McDonald's Franchise Cost?
The published candidate-funding figures cover buying and operating an existing restaurant. New restaurants require a greater investment.
McDonald's Franchise at a Glance
Availability and operating 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 (America/Los_Angeles).
Investment, Fees and Financial Requirements
Amounts are in US dollars. An initial franchise fee, a separate development fee and candidate capital requirements describe different obligations. Check each estimate’s format, geography, exclusions and document basis before using it in a project budget. Royalty and advertising rates do not cover every operating expense.
- 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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (America/Los_Angeles).
Operating and Candidate Requirements
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).
What to confirm before committing capital
- The available territory, restaurant format and required number of restaurants.
- Whether the estimate covers land, construction, equipment, financing, training and working capital.
- How initial and development fees are charged, credited or included in the investment estimate.
- The full recurring-fee schedule, sales definition, operating commitment and current agreement terms.
Sources and Dates
A source check records when we reviewed a page; it is not the page’s publication date or the date of an FDD. Where an official web summary refers to an FDD, that document basis is recorded below. It does not mean we independently reviewed the complete FDD. Historical references remain labeled with their stated year.
- McDonald's US costs of ownershipSource checked (America/Los_Angeles).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a McDonald's franchise?
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.
What is the McDonald's franchise fee?
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. 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. Confirm whether any fee is included in an investment estimate before adding it to a budget.
What are the ongoing fees for a McDonald's franchise?
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. These rows are not a complete recurring-fee schedule; confirm other charges and the calculation basis in the current agreement.
How much cash do you need for a McDonald's franchise?
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. 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. Candidate funding requirements are different from restaurant development costs.
How much does a McDonald's franchise make per year?
This guide does not provide a verified revenue, owner-income or payback estimate. Costs and fees alone do not establish earnings. Review any financial-performance representation in the applicable disclosure, its restaurant sample and its expense assumptions before modeling a return.
Compare McDonald's with Other Franchises
Review source-backed requirements and differences in restaurant format, eligibility and operating commitment.
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Latest McDonald's News and Analysis
McDonald’s plans $8.5 billion in franchise support
Rent relief and capital backing would help fund restaurant upgrades.
Sep 24, 2026
Gabriel Vesci opens Paris Baguette after years running McDonald’s
The June 15 Thousand Oaks café puts an operating location behind Vesci’s West Los Angeles development plan, following his earlier move from burgers to bakery cafés.
Sep 15, 2026
McDonald’s puts U.S. operations and technology under one COO
Skye Anderson’s new U.S. role joins restaurant operations, development and company stores with technology and supply oversight, alongside two global leadership changes.
Sep 15, 2026
LTO Fatigue Is Real: Placer.ai Data Shows McDonald's Big Launches Generating Only Modest Traffic Lifts
McDonald's Shamrock Shake and Big Arch Burger generated short-lived, single-digit traffic bumps in early 2026. Placer.ai and AlixPartners data reveal a broader pattern: the industry's go-to traffic weapon is losing its edge as consumers grow more selective.
Mar 25, 2026
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