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Built with precision for the QSR industry

The Database/BURGER

McDonald's

MCD · EST. 1955 · Chicago, Illinois

+ CompareFDD notes
US UNITS13,618+3.4% YOY
GLOBAL UNITS41,800
AUV (US)$3.1M
INVESTMENT RANGE$1.5–2.5M
FRANCHISED %95%

01The Read

The world's largest fast-food chain serving burgers, fries, and breakfast items

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025
12,752
2019
12,764
2020
12,788
2021
13,099
2022
12,860
2023
13,175
2024
13,618
2025

SOURCE: QSR PRO ESTIMATES

02Our Coverage

6 STORIES
How to Open a KFC Franchise in 2026: Costs, Fees, Revenue, and the Full FDD BreakdownThe QSR Labor Crisis in 2026: Wages, Automation, and the Fight for the Future of Fast FoodMAR 28, 2026The 2026 QSR Real Estate Bidding War: Too Many Chains Chasing Too Few A-SitesMAR 25, 2026Starbucks' Turnaround Paradox: Traffic Is Up, But 420 Basis Points of Margin Just VanishedMAR 25, 2026AlixPartners Analyzed 90,000 Restaurants. The Math Behind the Value War Has Fundamentally Changed.MAR 25, 2026Beyond Meat Faces Delisting as QSR Partners Quietly Exit Plant-Based MenusMAR 25, 2026
FDD Fact Sheet · 2025
FRANCHISE FEE
$45K
ROYALTY
4%
AD FUND
—
TERM
20 YRS
LIQUIDITY
$450K
NET WORTH
$2.3M
Full cost breakdown →

Segment Peers

Burger KingWendy'sSonic Drive-InJack in the BoxFive Guys

QSR Pro Take

The gold standard of franchise economics: unmatched real estate machine, but entry is effectively closed to new operators without existing McDonald's experience. The margin story is the rent, not the burgers.

QSR Pro Advisory

Evaluating a McDonald's franchise?

Our advisory desk models unit economics, territory, and FDD terms before you sign anything.

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