McDonald's
Key figures
| Initial franchise fee | $45,000 |
| Total investment (Item 7) | $1,472,000 – $2,807,000 |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 5% of gross sales |
| Franchised units (Item 20) | 13062 (Item 20, p.45) |
| Brand website | https://mcdonalds.com |
About McDonald's
The world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries.
FDD-derived details (fees, outlets, ownership, sourcing)
The world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. MONEY FIGURES (McDonald's 2026 FDD, issued May 1, 2026, amd July 1, 2026): initial franchise fee $45,000 lump sum on opening (Item 5, p17); total investment $1,472,000–$2,807,000 standard scenario (Item 7, p24); royalty 5% of Gross Sales for new restaurants opened on/after Jan 1, 2024 (4% continues for legacy scenarios) (Item 6, p18–20); 13,706 outlets at year-end 2025 — 13,062 franchised + 644 company-owned (Item 20 Table 1, p45). Source: MN CARDS file 10, doc 36863-202606-02, received 06/16/2026.
Territory — what the FDD says (Item 12)
Under this brand's Item 12 rule, the franchisor grants an exclusive territory: while your agreement runs, the franchisor may not place another franchisee — or operate a competing company unit — inside your territory's boundaries (subject to the carve-outs in the FDD). Areas inside an existing franchisee's territory are therefore not available to a new buyer.
The FDD's own words (Item 12): “this franchisor grants an exclusive territory as described in its FDD. Some of our international affiliates offer McDonald’s franchises outside of the United States. We develop, operate, franchise, and service a system of restaurants that prepare, assemble, package, and sell a”
Where McDonald's operates today
Per the brand's FDD outlet table (Item 20, Table 3 — franchised outlets by state, latest fiscal year): 13032 franchised units across 52 states.
Projected openings (Item 20, Table 5)
Franchise agreements the FDD projects for the next fiscal year:
Source: mcdonalds-fdd-2026-e692efd1.pdf, Item 20. Counts are the franchisor's own disclosures.
Why two unit counts? The Key figures above cite 13062 franchised units (Item 20, p.45) — the franchisor's reported franchised-unit total. The map above sums Item 20, Table 3 (franchised outlets by state at fiscal year-end), which totals 13032. The two Item 20 figures are compiled on different bases, so they need not match.
What is NOT available
Not available: any area inside an existing franchisee's exclusive territory while that agreement runs. Existing units sit in: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY — a specific address near an existing unit is governed by that territory's boundaries.
Only the franchisor can confirm availability.
Next steps with McDonald's
Put McDonald's on a shortlist. Compare it side by side with two other brands. Check it against your budget in the PerfectFit Quiz. Or talk it through with a vetted consultant. That conversation is free to buyers; call (385) 475-5319. Only the franchisor can confirm current terms. Only the franchisor can confirm territory availability.