Opening a McDonald's franchise cost in 2026
Opening a McDonald's franchise costs $1,470,500 to $2,807,000 per traditional restaurant in 2026, and most people pay about $2,100,000.
What moves the price
- The size and type of restaurant change the total.
- Equipment, signs, seating and decor are the biggest part of the cost.
- Base rent for the first months can be near zero or over $300,000.
- Opening stock and training travel add smaller amounts.
- Owners must also pay ongoing fees of 5% of sales for service and at least 4% for advertising.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The range is per traditional restaurant, total startup. The total covers the $45,000 franchise fee, equipment, signs, decor, opening stock, early rent and extra funds for the first three months. Ongoing service fees, advertising fees and rent are paid later. Owners must also show cash that is not borrowed.
Startup cost items
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $45,000 |
| Signs, seating, equipment and decor | $1.1 million to $1.85 million |
| Base rent, first 3 months | $0 to $310,000 |
| Opening inventory | $20,000 to $39,000 |
| Extra funds, first 3 months | $250,000 to $452,000 |
| Total initial investment | $1,470,500 to $2,807,000 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: VettedBiz.
Ways to pay less
- Check the current Franchise Disclosure Document for exact numbers before applying.
- Plan for the cash requirement, since personal funds must be non-borrowed.
- Compare the costs with smaller burger franchises if the budget is tight.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- VettedBiz: McDonald's Franchise Cost: What It Really Takes to Own One in 2026
- ThePricer: McDonald's Franchise Cost
- Franchise Overview: McDonald's USA
- Fox Business: Want to buy a McDonald's franchise? Here's how much it would cost (2018)
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
Opening a McDonald's franchise costs $1,470,500 to $2,807,000 per traditional restaurant in 2026, and most people pay about $2,100,000. Most people pay about $2,100,000 per traditional restaurant. The low end is $1,470,500 and the high end is $2,807,000.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: The size and type of restaurant change the total; Equipment, signs, seating and decor are the biggest part of the cost; Base rent for the first months can be near zero or over $300,000.
How can I pay less?
Check the current Franchise Disclosure Document for exact numbers before applying. Plan for the cash requirement, since personal funds must be non-borrowed. Compare the costs with smaller burger franchises if the budget is tight.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 4 named price guides: VettedBiz, ThePricer, Franchise Overview, Fox Business. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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