Aug 28, 20235 min read

How much does a Mcdonald's franchise owner make?

Interested in owning a McDonald's franchise?

Discover the investment required and

the potential returns it offers.

According to Business Insider, McDonald's generates an average annual sales revenue of around $2.7 million per restaurant. While it may not match the figures of Chick-fil-A or Panera, it is still a commendable achievement. Considering the vast number of McDonald's outlets worldwide compared to Chick-fil-A or Panera, it becomes evident why McDonald's is a financially prosperous company.

McDonalds franchise owners don't make very much money.

While McDonald's franchise owners may vary in their earnings, most still generate an approximate annual profit of $150,000 (via Fox Business). It may seem meager, considering it accounts for less than 6 percent of $2.7 million in sales. However, when factoring in costs like food, supplies, crew payroll, and various corporate expenses, that's the net amount left for franchisees (via Bloomberg).

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How much does a McDonald's franchise earn?

McDonald's, boasting over 37,000 restaurants globally, continues to be an enticing choice for those seeking opportunities in the fast-food industry. Nevertheless, embarking on a McDonald's franchise journey is far from simple, given the declining franchise profits and substantial upfront expenses involved.

One of the biggest challenges that potential franchisees encounter is the initial down payment. McDonald's mandates that franchisees utilize personal resources, without borrowing, to cover 40 percent of the total price for a new restaurant and 25 percent of the total price for existing restaurants.

Since restaurant prices differ, the initial down payments also vary significantly. This is the reason why McDonald's mandates franchisee applicants to possess a minimum of $500,000 in liquid assets.

Additional expenses consist of a franchise fee of $45,000, as well as costs associated with construction and equipment. McDonald's estimates that the total investment required for a startup typically falls within the range of $1,013,000 to $2,185,000. In return, franchisees can anticipate an annual profit of approximately $150,000.

McDonald’s Franchise Costs from their 2022 FDD

Referring to Section 7 of the company's 2022 FDD
Franchise Fee at the outset: $45,000
Real Estate and Building – Base Rent for 3 Months: $0 to $313,000.
For Real Estate and Building, the percentage rent for a duration of 3 months ranges from 0% to 31.75%.
Signage, seating, equipment, and decor: estimated cost ranging from $1,000,000 to $1,600,000.
Inventory Opening: $20,000 - $39,000.
Estimated Opening Expenses: $48,000 to $60,000 for miscellaneous items.
Estimated Travel and Living Expenses: $3,000 to $38,000
Additional Funding - 3-Month Period: A range of $250,000 to $355,000 is available for allocation.
The estimated franchise costs for McDonald's range from $1,366,000 to $2,450,000.
Section II – McDonald’s Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, and Marketing Fee
According to the 2022 FDD of McDonald's, the company's initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee are outlined in Items 5 and 6.
Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000
Service Fee: 4% of Gross Sales
For Advertising and Promotion, a minimum of 4% of Gross Sales is required.

Item 19 Data for Domestic Traditional (Franchised Only) Restaurants

As of December 31, 2021, there were around 11,746 McDonald's restaurants in the United States that have been open for at least one year.

Roughly 78% achieved annual sales volumes surpassing $2,600,000.
Roughly 71% of them achieved annual sales volumes surpassing $2,800,000.
Roughly 63% of them achieved annual sales volumes surpassing $3,000,000.
In 2021, domestic traditional franchised McDonald's restaurants that had been open for at least 1 year achieved an average annual sales volume of $3,347,000.
In 2021, the annual sales volume of these domestic traditional franchised McDonald's restaurants ranged from an impressive $13,625,000 to a notable $680,000.
In 2021, the median annual sales volume for established domestic McDonald's restaurants was $3,328,000.

Indeed, while McDonald's remains a significant investment opportunity, it may not be the right fit for everyone, especially considering the substantial initial down payment and operational costs involved. Moreover, running a fast-food franchise like McDonald's demands a significant employee count, which can add to complexities and overhead expenses.

For those looking for a high earning potential with a lower upfront investment and lesser employees, a home services franchise could be an ideal alternative. Home services franchises cover a broad range of services such as cleaning, handyman services, landscaping, and more. These franchises often operate with lower overhead, fewer employees, and still offer competitive earning potential.

A well-chosen home services franchise can provide a lucrative business opportunity, often with a much lower investment than a McDonald's franchise. It opens the door to entrepreneurial success without the need for a multi-million dollar initial expenditure. Therefore, for individuals with the entrepreneurial spirit but seeking a less capital-intensive investment, a home services franchise could be an excellent choice to consider.

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How much does a McDonald's franchise owner make?

Earnings for McDonald's franchise owners can vary widely based on a variety of factors, such as location, restaurant size, and operating costs. However, on average, a McDonald's franchise owner can expect to earn around $150,000 annually. While this is a substantial revenue, it's important to remember that it comes after the deduction of high operating costs including rent, labor, food and paper, sales taxes, and royalty fees. For McDonald's franchise owners who own more than one unit, the earnings potential can be significantly greater. Nevertheless, the profitability of each unit will still heavily depend on factors like location and efficient management.