Established
1940
Franchise Units
13706
Minimum Investment
$464,500
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total Investment Range
$2,306,500
Home Based
No
Description
McDonald’s is one of the world’s most established quick-service restaurant brands, built around a highly standardized operating system, broad consumer recognition and a business model that has been refined through decades of franchising.
The brand serves customers across multiple dayparts through breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages and late-night occasions. Its menu includes internationally recognized products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, World Famous Fries, Happy Meals and a growing McCafé beverage platform. Restaurants can generate sales through dine-in service, drive-thru, takeaway, mobile ordering, loyalty programs and third-party or McDelivery channels.
McDonald’s operates a predominantly franchised global restaurant system. At the end of 2025, the company reported 45,356 restaurants worldwide, with approximately 95% operated by franchisees. The United States alone accounted for 13,706 restaurants at year-end 2025.
Canada is also a major McDonald’s market. The Canadian business now operates across more than 1,500 restaurants from coast to coast, supported by a large network of locally owned franchise operations.
For investors, McDonald’s is different from many traditional franchise opportunities. The company is highly selective about its franchisees and expects owners to be actively engaged in the day-to-day operation and development of their restaurant businesses. This is generally not positioned as a passive or absentee investment.
Candidates who are accepted receive extensive restaurant and business training before taking ownership, followed by ongoing operational, marketing, supply-chain, technology and field support.
Why Invest in a McDonald’s Franchise?
McDonald’s offers investors the opportunity to operate under one of the most recognized restaurant brands in the world.
Key advantages include:
- Strong global brand recognition
- Established franchise operating systems
- Drive-thru, dine-in, delivery and mobile ordering channels
- National and local marketing support
- Established supply-chain relationships
- Advanced restaurant technology
- Extensive franchisee training
- Potential for multi-unit ownership
- Strong presence across the USA and Canada
The business model is particularly suited to entrepreneurs who want to build a long-term restaurant operation and are comfortable managing large teams and high-volume locations.
Background
McDonald’s began in 1940, when brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned the operation around a simplified menu and faster service model.
Ray Kroc discovered the McDonald brothers' restaurant in 1954 while working as a Multimixer salesman. Recognizing the scalability of the restaurant system, he became their franchising agent and opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15, 1955. McDonald’s later acquired the rights to the brothers' company in 1961.
The company began its international expansion in 1967, with the first McDonald’s restaurant outside the United States opening in Richmond, British Columbia.
Since then, McDonald’s has grown into a restaurant system spanning thousands of communities worldwide while continuing to expand its drive-thru, delivery, mobile ordering, loyalty and beverage businesses.
- Established Year: 1940
- Modern McDonald’s Franchise System Established: 1955
- Original Founders: Richard “Dick” McDonald and Maurice “Mac” McDonald
- Franchise System Founder: Ray Kroc
- First Original Restaurant: San Bernardino, California
- Ray Kroc’s First McDonald’s Restaurant: Des Plaines, Illinois – 1955
- First Canadian Restaurant: Richmond, British Columbia – 1967
- Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurant / Fast Food / Burger Franchise
- Global Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Parent Company: McDonald’s Corporation
- Ownership: Publicly traded company
- Stock Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
- Ticker Symbol: MCD
- Global Chairman & CEO: Chris Kempczinski
- President, McDonald’s USA: Skye Anderson
- President & CEO, McDonald’s Canada: Annemarie Swijtink
- Worldwide Restaurants: 45,356 at year-end 2025
- U.S. Restaurants: 13,706 at year-end 2025
- Canadian Restaurants: More than 1,500 locations
- Franchise Model: Predominantly franchised globally
- Franchise Availability: United States and Canada, subject to restaurant availability, applicant qualification and applicable franchise regulations
Support Training
McDonald’s provides extensive training before a franchisee takes control of a restaurant.
Training can include:
- Restaurant operations
- Food preparation and safety
- Customer service
- Employee recruitment
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory management
- Financial management
- Cost control
- Restaurant leadership
- Local marketing
- Technology systems
In the United States, franchise training generally takes approximately 6 to 12 months.
Canadian franchise candidates typically complete approximately 1,600 hours of training, which may take between nine months and two years depending on whether training is completed full-time or part-time.
Franchisees also receive ongoing support related to operations, restaurant standards, marketing, technology, supply chain and business development.
Ideal Candidate
McDonald’s is best suited to financially qualified entrepreneurs who want to take an active role in their business.
Ideal candidates should have:
- Strong leadership ability
- Experience managing people or businesses
- Good financial management skills
- Willingness to follow established systems
- Ability to manage high-volume operations
- Strong customer-service focus
- Sufficient personal capital
- Willingness to complete extensive training
- Flexibility regarding restaurant location
Previous restaurant ownership is not always required. McDonald’s places significant importance on leadership, business experience, financial capability and commitment to the brand.
Financial Detail
Franchise Investment & Fees
- Initial Investment: $464,500 – $2,306,500
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $500,000
- Franchise Fee: Up to $45,000
- Royalty Fee: 4%
- Advertising Fee: 4%+