Dunkin Donuts vs McDonald’s
Franchise Comparison 2026
Dunkin Donuts is a full-service restaurants franchise, while McDonald’s operates in quick-service restaurants. Dunkin Donuts requires an investment of $532K – $1.8M while McDonald’s requires $1.5M – $2.8M. In terms of revenue, McDonald’s reports higher average unit revenue at $4.1M. On SBA loan performance, Dunkin Donuts has a lower charge-off rate (7.5%) compared to McDonald’s (16.7%). FranchiseVerdict rates Dunkin Donuts A (Strongest tier) and McDonald’s A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Dunkin Donuts | McDonald’s |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $532K – $1.8M | $1.5M – $2.8M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $4.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 7.5% (1341 loans) | 16.7% (24 loans) |
| Total Units | 8,780 | 13,706 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 1955 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$532K – $1.8M
$1.5M – $2.8M
Franchise Fee
$40K
$45K
Royalty Rate
5.9%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$4.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
7.5% (1341 loans)
16.7% (24 loans)
Total Units
8,780
13,706
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
1955
FDD Year
2026
2026