McDonald’s vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both McDonald’s and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. McDonald’s requires an investment of $1.5M – $2.8M while Wendy's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, McDonald’s reports higher average unit revenue at $4.1M. On SBA loan performance, Wendy's has a lower charge-off rate (0.8%) compared to McDonald’s (16.7%). FranchiseVerdict rates McDonald’s A (Strongest tier) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | McDonald’s | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $2.8M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $4.1M | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 16.7% (24 loans) | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 13,706 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1955 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $2.8M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$45K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$4.1M
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
16.7% (24 loans)
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
13,706
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1955
1971
FDD Year
2026
2026