Chick-fil-A vs McDonald’s
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $586K – $3.4M while McDonald’s requires $1.5M – $2.8M. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. McDonald’s has SBA lending data on file with a 16.7% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and McDonald’s A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | McDonald’s |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $586K – $3.4M | $1.5M – $2.8M |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 10.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $4.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 16.7% (24 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 13,706 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 1955 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$586K – $3.4M
$1.5M – $2.8M
Franchise Fee
$10K
$45K
Royalty Rate
10.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$4.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
16.7% (24 loans)
Total Units
2,684
13,706
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1992
1955
FDD Year
2025
2026