Jersey Mike's vs McDonald's Franchise Cost 2026
Jersey Mike's runs $252K–$755K. McDonald's runs $1.3M–$2.3M. The gap at midpoint: $1.3M.
Jersey Mike's
$252K–$755K
total investment
Investment Difference
$1.3M
Jersey Mike's costs less
McDonald's
$1.3M–$2.3M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Jersey Mike's | McDonald's | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $252K–$755K | $1.3M–$2.3M | Jersey Mike's |
| Franchise Fee | $18,500 | $45,000 | Jersey Mike's |
| Royalty Rate | 6.5% | 4.0% | McDonald's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 2.0% | 4.0% | Jersey Mike's |
| Net Worth Required | $300K | $500K | Jersey Mike's |
| Liquid Capital | $100K | $500K | Jersey Mike's |
| Est. Break-Even | 13.7 yr | 14.1 yr | Jersey Mike's |
Jersey Mike's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $252K–$755K
- Franchise Fee
- $18,500
- Royalty
- 6.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.0M
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
Jersey Mike's costs $1.3M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. McDonald's also wins on royalty rate.