Burger King
A Burger King franchise typically costs between $348,400 and $3,320,600 to open (excluding real estate), with a franchise fee of around $50,000 and an ongoing royalty of approximately 4.5% of gross sales.
Franchise Inspectors has verified from Burger King's latest 2026 FDD that the average traditional restaurant generates $1,707,974 in annual sales. The lowest unit volume was $188,523 and the highest unit volume was $5,532,973.
How Much Does It Cost?
Total Investment
$348,400 - $3,320,600
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Royalty
2.5% - 4.5%
Marketing Ad Fund
2% - 4%
How Much Do Owners Make?
$188,523
LOWEST GROSS REVENUE
$1,707,974
AVERAGE GROSS REVENUE
$5,532,973
highest GROSS REVENUE
Burger King Retention Amongst Company-Owned and Franchise Owned Outlets
Corporate Units
Franchised Units
Need Help Evaluating a Franchise?
Burger King Franchise Quick Facts
- Total Investment: $348,400 to $3,320,600 (excluding real estate)
- Franchise Fee: $50,000
- Royalty: 2.5-4.5%
- Marketing Fee: 2-4.5%
- Average Revenue: $1,707,974
- Lowest Revenue: $188,523
- Highest Revenue: $5,532,973
- Total Outlets: 6,650
- Length of Term: 20 years
How much does a Burger King franchise owner make?
According to the FDD, Burger King does not disclose owner income or net profit. However, it does provide detailed gross sales data across thousands of locations.
This data shows how much restaurants generate in revenue, but it does not include expenses like labor, food costs, rent, royalties, interest, or taxes. Because of that, actual earnings can vary significantly depending on how the business is managed and the location.
How long does it take to open a Burger King franchise?
Opening a Burger King location can take several months to 2 years or more.
According to the FDD, timelines vary significantly depending on site selection, zoning, permitting, and construction. Freestanding locations in areas with more complex approvals tend to take the longest.
Is Burger King semi-absentee?
No. Burger King is not designed to be semi-absentee. This is a highly operational, food-based business that usually requires either an owner-operator or a strong, experienced full-time management team. Multi-unit operators may step back from day-to-day operations, but that typically requires significant infrastructure and leadership in place.
What are the biggest risks of owning a Burger King franchise?
The biggest risks of owning a Burger King franchise include the thin profit margins common in the restaurant industry, along with high labor and food costs that can fluctuate and quickly impact profitability. The real estate and rent structure can also play a major role in your overall returns, especially depending on your location and lease terms. On top of that, this is a highly operational business that requires consistent execution, strong management, and day-to-day oversight. Franchisees also have to navigate corporate control and required upgrades or remodels, which can add unexpected costs over time. Competition is another factor, including the possibility of other Burger King locations nearby. And it’s worth noting that a number of locations have been closing in recent years, which you can see directly in the Item 20 data shown in the screenshots on this page.
This page contains information derived from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). We are not making any financial claims, projections, or guarantees. The data shown reflects historical information provided by the franchisor and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Individual results will vary.
