How much does the franchise owner make for 10 popular brands? | McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A & More!

How much do fast food franchise owners make? The answer depends on the brand, the location, and how well the business is run. Some franchise owners earn over $500,000 a year. Others barely break even. The difference comes down to a few key factors: average unit volume, ongoing royalty and marketing fees, food and labor costs, and whether the owner operates one location or several.

Below is a breakdown of 10 of the most searched franchise brands in the country, with current investment ranges, estimated owner earnings, and links to full cost analyses based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Documents.

Mc Donald's

McDonald's is the most recognized fast-food brand in the world, with over 13,000 U.S. locations and roughly 95% of them operated by independent franchisees. The total investment to open a McDonald's ranges from $1,470,500 to $2,807,000, including a $45,000 franchise fee. Average unit volume exceeds $4 million, and we estimate owner earnings between $460,000 and $575,000 per year, with a payback period of 4.6 to 6.6 years.

Read the full McDonald's franchise cost breakdown →

Starbucks

Starbucks does not franchise. The company operates the majority of its 16,800+ U.S. locations directly, with the remainder run under licensing agreements by large institutional partners like Target, Kroger, and Aramark. A licensed Starbucks store requires an estimated investment of $315,000 to $2,888,700, and operators typically need $1 million or more in net worth to qualify. For most individual investors, a traditional coffee franchise will be the more realistic path.

See how Starbucks licensing works and which coffee franchises you can buy →

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A has the lowest entry cost of any major fast-food franchise at just $10,000, but the model is fundamentally different from traditional franchising. Operators do not own the restaurant, the land, or the equipment. Chick-fil-A covers the build-out (total investment ranges from $426,735 to $2,339,525) and operators pay a 15% royalty on gross sales. Average unit volume is $9.2 million for freestanding locations, and operator earnings are estimated at $200,000 to $300,000 per year.

Read the full Chick-fil-A franchise cost breakdown →

Taco Bell

Taco Bell is one of the largest Mexican QSR chains in the country, with roughly 8,200 U.S. locations. The total investment ranges from $934,750 (inline/endcap) to $4,310,200 (traditional freestanding), with a franchise fee of $25,000 to $45,500. Taco Bell reports a median AUV of $2,304,197, and estimated owner earnings fall between $184,000 and $276,000 per year depending on format and location.

Read the full Taco Bell franchise cost breakdown →

Wendy's

Wendy's is the third-largest burger chain in the U.S. with approximately 5,700 locations. The total investment ranges from $393,191 to $2,992,000, and the franchise fee is currently $0 (waived). Average unit volume is approximately $2.1 million, with estimated owner earnings of $238,126 to $297,658 per year. Wendy's announced plans to close 200 to 350 underperforming locations in 2026 as part of a broader restructuring.

Read the full Wendy's franchise cost breakdown →

Burger King

Burger King operates approximately 6,700 U.S. locations and is in the middle of a multi-year turnaround plan called "Reclaim the Flame." The total investment ranges from $2,064,200 to $4,730,500, with a $50,000 franchise fee. Average unit volume is $1,658,463 for traditional restaurants, and estimated owner earnings range from $187,381 to $234,226 per year. The payback period is longer than most QSR competitors at an estimated 16.6 to 18.6 years.

Read the full Burger King franchise cost breakdown →

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' is one of the largest coffee and baked goods franchises in the country, with roughly 9,900 to 10,100 U.S. locations. The total investment ranges from $526,900 to $1,832,500, with franchise fees between $40,000 and $90,000. Average unit volume is approximately $1.37 million to $1.47 million, and estimated owner earnings range from $176,316 to $220,395 per year. The combined ongoing fee load of 10.9% is higher than many QSR competitors.

Read the full Dunkin' franchise cost breakdown →

Subway

Subway remains one of the most affordable major franchise opportunities, with a total investment of $238,625 to $536,745 and a $15,000 franchise fee. However, average unit volume is approximately $490,000, well below competitors like Jersey Mike's ($1.4 million) and Jimmy John's ($1.0 million). Estimated owner earnings are $58,800 to $73,500 per year. The system has been contracting, with at least 729 U.S. store closures in 2025.

Read the full Subway franchise cost breakdown →

Domino's

Domino's offers some of the strongest unit economics in the QSR space. The total investment for a traditional store ranges from $231,450 to $743,500, with a franchise fee of $0 to $10,000. Median AUV is approximately $1.4 million, and estimated owner earnings are $153,467 to $191,834 per year. The payback period of 3.1 to 5.1 years is among the shortest in the industry.

Read the full Domino's franchise cost breakdown →

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle does not franchise. Every one of its 4,064+ U.S. locations is corporate-owned and corporate-operated. The company has stated publicly that it has no plans to franchise because it wants full control over food quality and the customer experience. Average unit volume is approximately $3 million, and restaurant-level margins run 25% to 28%. General managers earn $65,000 to $100,000 per year, with top-tier "Restaurateur" managers earning up to $132,000.

See why Chipotle doesn't franchise and which Mexican franchises you can buy →