McDonald's vs Chick-fil-A: Franchise Comparison
Side-by-side analysis using official FDD data
| Metric | McDonald's | Chick-fil-A |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment Range | $1,470,500 – $2,642,000 | $426,735 – $2,339,525 |
| Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $10,000 |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 15.0% |
| Ad Fund Rate | 4.0% | N/A |
| Total Fee Burden | 9.0% | 15.0% |
| Median Revenue | $2,900,000 | $9,226,669 |
| Est. Annual Profit | $727,900 | $461,333 |
| Est. Profit Margin | 25.1% | 5.0% |
| Closure Rate | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| Total Units | 12,772 | 2,629 |
| Unit Growth | N/A | 12.4% |
| Franchise Score | 81.0/100 | 84.0/100 |
Which Is the Better Franchise?
Based on the metrics above, McDonald's leads on 4 metrics, while Chick-fil-A leads on 5 metrics.
On paper, Chick-fil-A comes out ahead in this comparison across more key franchise metrics.
The Franchise Breakdown Score — a composite rating factoring in costs, revenue, stability, and risk — gives McDonald's a 81.0/100 and Chick-fil-A a 84.0/100.
This comparison is generated from publicly available FDD data and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before making any franchise investment decision.