Buffalo Wild Wings vs McDonald's Franchise Cost 2026
Buffalo Wild Wings runs $1.6M–$3.9M. McDonald's runs $1.3M–$2.3M. The gap at midpoint: $966K.
Buffalo Wild Wings
$1.6M–$3.9M
total investment
Investment Difference
$966K
McDonald's costs less
McDonald's
$1.3M–$2.3M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Buffalo Wild Wings | McDonald's | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $1.6M–$3.9M | $1.3M–$2.3M | McDonald's |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $45,000 | McDonald's |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% | McDonald's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 3.5% | 4.0% | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Net Worth Required | $1.5M | $500K | McDonald's |
| Liquid Capital | $750K | $500K | McDonald's |
| Est. Break-Even | 22.7 yr | 14.1 yr | McDonald's |
Buffalo Wild Wings Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.6M–$3.9M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $3.5M
McDonald's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.3M–$2.3M
- Franchise Fee
- $45,000
- Royalty
- 4.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $3.2M
Bottom Line
McDonald's costs $966K less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. McDonald's also wins on royalty rate.