More than 80 percent of McDonald's® restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees. The company lists consistently in the Top 10 Franchises in the world in Entrepreneur Magazine, and Franchise Times Magazine ranks McDonald's® Franchises Number 1 among the top 200 franchises.

By now, the McDonald's® story is legend. The first McDonald's® restaurant was an unassuming hamburger stand owned by Richard and Maurice McDonald in California, opened in 1940. But in 1954, a man named Ray Kroc, who had sold the McDonalds his Multimixer milk-shake makers, paid the restaurant a visit, then offered to open several more McDonald's® restaurants. Kroc eventually bought the company from Dick and Mac McDonald and oversaw McDonald's® worldwide growth to more than 30,000 franchises today with more than $22 billion in annual revenues. McDonald's® is one of the great American success stories.

How Much Does A McDonald's® Franchise Cost?*

Most McDonald’s franchise owner/operators have entered the corporation by purchasing an existing restaurant. To open a McDonald’s franchise, however, requires a total investment of $1-$2.2 million, with liquid capital available of $750,000. The franchise fee is $45,000.

McDonald's® Franchise Business Opportunities*

Owning a McDonald's® franchise is an easy sell. Once up and running, the company’s international marketing model does the heavy lifting, and provides training support and materials to help its franchisees succeed. The company wants successful restaurants and seeks individuals with significant business experience, who have owned or managed businesses before. A McDonald's® franchise is a golden (arches) opportunity for the serious, energetic, business-focused entrepreneur.

*Franchise details do not apply to prospective owners in India.