How To Become A McDonald’s Franchisee

Find out if you’ve got what it takes

There can be few of us who’ve never chowed down on a Big Mac and fries. Opening its first restaurant in the UK in 1974, McDonald’s now boasts 1,250 restaurants across the country, a testament to the success of this massive global brand. As all outlets are operated through the franchising model, McDonald’s are always on the hunt for ambitious, dedicated individuals to run a franchise – and with a cash flow of up to £200,000 a year, who wouldn’t want to do it? But running a McDonald’s franchise takes a lot of commitment and hard work. Find out if you’ve got what it takes.

What Do I Need To Do To Become a McDonald’s Franchisee?

Most importantly, you need to make a significant financial investment.

A McDonald’s restaurant franchise will cost you from £125,000 to £400,000 – and you need to have 25 per cent of that on the table to start, with the rest available in loans. Add to that a franchise fee of £30,000, plus a £5,000 security deposit (refundable on opening up your restaurant), £750 for training, as well as outgoings on marketing, rent and service charges, and this baby doesn’t come cheap. You also need to commit to running a restaurant for 20 years, though if your personal circumstances change, you may be able to sell the remainder of your term to a McDonald’s approved buyer.

What Skills Do I Need?

You need to be a born leader who can lead a team from the front, have great communication skills and a head for figures. You also need to be customer focused and have a desire to be active in the local community. For instance, McDonald’s support grassroots football, so getting involved with local teams will be part of your business remit. You also need to commit to being a part of the McDonald’s brand, which means updating your restaurant in keeping with contemporary mores and the mood of your local community.

What Does McDonald’s Offer Me?

McDonald’s didn’t get where it is today without getting something right. As a leading global business, it knows how important training and development is to its franchisees.

You’ll be supported by franchise consultants from day one of you training programme to help you optimise sales and maximise profit while adhering to the McDonald’s standards for quality, service and cleanliness. Its marketing and branding are also quite possibly some of the most successful on the planet – which all helps to drive customers into your shop.

The Selection Process

Because McDonald’s are so keen to get the right people in, this can take some time. You’ll undergo three interviews and work for five days in a McDonald’s restaurant before you can even think about whether you’ve made it through, but once approved, you’ll undergo a nine month training programme. Have confidence that this amount of commitment on both sides means that the chances of your business being a success are massively increased.