McDonald's vs Taco Bell: franchise cost side by side

McDonald's is the cheaper of the two to open, from $1,470,500; Taco Bell starts at $1,859,750.

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

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

Taco Bell starts at $1,859,750, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.

From each FDD	McDonald's	Taco Bell
Total cost to open	$1,470,500 to $2,642,000	$1,859,750 to $4,312,200
Upfront fee	$45,000	$45,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)	5% of gross sales, plus rent to McDonald's	5.5% of gross sales
Marketing fund	at least 4% of gross sales on advertising	4.25% of gross sales
Published sales	$3,964,000 a year (average of 11,972 locations, 2023)	Published, no single figure
Outlets	12,772 franchised, 685 company	7,335 franchised, 663 company
Year filed	2024	2026

More comparisons with McDonald's and Taco Bell

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

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