McDonald's vs Burger King: franchise cost side by side

McDonald's is the cheaper of the two to open, from $1,470,500; Burger King starts at $2,039,200.

Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.

Which brand are you looking at?

Which brand do you want to set it against?

Add a third brand (optional)

McDonald's is the cheaper to open, from $1,470,500.

Burger King starts at $2,039,200, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.

From each FDD	McDonald's	Burger King
Total cost to open	$1,470,500 to $2,642,000	$2,039,200 to $4,730,600
Upfront fee	$45,000	$50,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)	5% of gross sales, plus rent to McDonald's	4.5% of gross sales
Marketing fund	at least 4% of gross sales on advertising	up to 4.5% of gross sales
Published sales	$3,964,000 a year (average of 11,972 locations, 2023)	$1,692,549 a year (average of 4,730 locations, 2025)
Outlets	12,772 franchised, 685 company	5,518 franchised, 1,132 company
Year filed	2024	2026

More comparisons with McDonald's and Burger King

Every brand's fee, royalty and Item 7 range is also in one table you can download: the franchise fee comparison.

A franchise consultant can talk you through the trade-offs for your budget and area. Send your details and one will contact you.

State where you plan to open

Cash you could put in

Your name

Phone, for a call-back (optional)

Add the brands you like or a note (optional)

Brands you're looking at

Anything else

Sending this form is free.
We pass it to one franchise consultant, not a list of brokers.
Consultants are usually paid by the brand you buy, so ask which brands pay them.
The consultant may pay us for the referral; no brand pays to be listed here.