McDonald's Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
13,706 locations (2025), +1.1% YoY(Item 20)
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$3,887,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$701,000 – $2,807,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$500
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
4-5%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC franchises and operates a system of restaurants. These restaurants prepare, assemble, package, and sell a limited menu of value-priced foods. The McDonald's System includes trademarks, manuals, operational, real estate, and marketing information. Most U.S. restaurants are franchised to independent franchisees, with a smaller percentage operated by McOpCo companies. Locations vary from freestanding buildings to food courts, including satellite locations in retail stores. Some restaurants are STOs (small town oil) or STRs (small town retail). Franchisees must comply with all applicable laws. Franchisees compete with other restaurants and food service businesses.
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
McDonald's vs Competitors
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McDonald's Franchise FAQ
How much does a McDonald's franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $701,000 to $2,807,000.
What is the McDonald's franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $500 to $45,000.
What royalty does McDonald's charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 4-5%.
How much revenue does a McDonald's franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $3,887,000 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a McDonald's franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.