McDonald’s vs Panda Express
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both McDonald’s and Panda Express are quick-service restaurants franchises. McDonald’s requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.8M while Panda Express requires $515K – $3.3M. In terms of revenue, McDonald’s reports higher average unit revenue at $4.1M. McDonald’s has SBA lending data on file with a 16.7% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates McDonald’s A (Strongest tier) and Panda Express A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | McDonald’s | Panda Express |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.8M | $515K – $3.3M |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 8.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $4.1M | $1.6M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 16.7% (24 loans) | Limited data |
| Total Units | 13,706 | 2,502 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 1995 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.8M
$515K – $3.3M
Franchise Fee
$45K
$25K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
8.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$4.1M
$1.6M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
16.7% (24 loans)
Limited data
Total Units
13,706
2,502
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
1995
FDD Year
2026
2025