# How Much Does a McDonald's Franchise Cost?

> Source: https://qsr.pro/franchise-costs/mcdonalds
> Publisher: QSR Pro


Sourced McDonald's franchise fees, investment estimates, candidate requirements and operating model, with scope and unresolved facts.

## 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 ownership](https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising/costs.html) (Source reviewed 2026-10-01; this is not the source publication date.)

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.)

## Published financial requirements

- **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.)

## Sources and limits

- [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.)

Missing information means the reviewed sources did not establish a comparable amount. Fees, capital requirements and investment estimates are different measures; they are not added as one project budget.