Become a Macca's Franchisee

Welcome to McDonald's Franchising

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a McDonald's franchisee, and what opportunities it presents for your career and lifestyle?

Have a seat. Let's talk.

McDonald's Australia is in growth mode, and there's never been a more exciting time to join the Macca's System.

Running a McDonald's franchise is a once-in-a-lifetime career experience. Our franchisees are owner-operators, not passive investors.

For community-minded individuals willing to put in the work and inspired to delve into every aspect of the business, McDonald's has the established framework for success. Our resources are unmatched, and the McDonald's franchise model is the best in the world.

What's involved and what does it take?

McDonald's has always been a franchise business, and we firmly believe our franchisees are among the best in the industry. This is in part due to the care we take in recruiting, training, developing, and retaining our Franchisees.

We're after leaders of business and people. Hard workers not afraid to roll up their sleeves and devote their time and energy to running a successful restaurant, leading high-performing teams and making a difference in their communities.

Prospective franchisees don't need a background with McDonald's or within the food industry. Approximately 85% of our restaurants are owned and operated by more than 200 local businessmen and women from a range of professional backgrounds.

It is a golden opportunity that brings rewards, but it is also hard work, and we want the best in the business.

Experience & Commitment

Devote full-time and best efforts to the business, including exhibiting personal management and leadership in the restaurant business.
Commit to an extensive 12 month training program that includes your ability to participate in a number of different parts of the day and days a week depending on restaurant operating hours.
Open to relocate based on availability of restaurants.
Embrace our values, future vision and investment strategies to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s customers.
You currently have, or have had, a successful business or career, demonstrated significant team leadership and know how to attract and develop talented people.
You are, or you demonstrate the characteristics of, someone able to become an integral part of your community as an employer, service provider, local business leader and an advocate of the McDonald’s brand.

World Class Training

To become a successful Franchisee, you need to take on board everything we’ve learned in over 50 years of successfully running restaurants. That is why our Registered Applicant Training Program goes for 12 months full-time.
While it’s unpaid, it’s also unmatched. You'll learn about our systems and routines, and we'll train you to perform every role in a McDonald's restaurant. At the end of the program, you will have all the skills you need to operate a restaurant and start to apply your own talents to make it a success.
Most of your training will take place in a McDonald's restaurant—led by an experienced franchisee and a team of others who will support your development.
In addition, there are eight formal classroom sessions held in regional training centres and McDonald’s Charlie Bell School of Management in Sydney. Your complete training program will include seminars, conferences and one on one sessions with corporate staff.

Feeding and Fostering Communities

At McDonald's, we believe we have a responsibility to add value to the communities in which we live and operate, and we are proud to play an active role in communities across Australia.
Franchisees are encouraged to contribute locally in a way that is most relevant and appropriate to themselves and their communities. Through community involvement our franchisees have become strong leaders in their communities and have had a positive impact at a local level.
At the heart of McDonald's commitment to giving back is Ronald McDonald House Charities - one of Australia's major children's charities and helps thousands of seriously ill children and their families across Australia every year.

Financial Investment & Rewards

We ask all prospective franchisees to make a significant financial investment - upwards of $1,500,000 unencumbered funds, without partnerships or investors.
New Franchisees enter the McDonald's system through the purchase of an existing restaurant business from an existing Franchisee or McDonald's.
The purchase price usually reflects the market value of the restaurant. The purchaser is not permitted to borrow more than 70% of the McDonald's agreed valuation for their first restaurant. McDonald's valuation may be less than the agreed purchase price.
Size of the restaurant facility, location and style of decor and landscaping will affect the restaurant value.
You can read more detail in our Franchising Booklet

What are the benefits & opportunities?

Being a McDonald's franchisee is not just about selling burgers. Franchisees are running multi-million-dollar restaurants that feed hundreds of people every day, while at the same time developing and supporting employees (many of whom are young people) and contributing to their local community and economy.

Your individual McDonald's restaurant franchise enjoys a key critical competitive advantage of a global brand unmatched in the food service industry-one we've carefully created, marketed, and nurtured in Australia for more than 50 years.

Your Own Business

Our goal is to ensure you succeed as an owner operator, and we will help you optimise sales and profits by assisting you in maximising quality, service, and cleanliness through:

Local and national support in the areas of operations, human resources, real estate, construction, purchasing, and equipment maintenance
Extensive world class training
Award-winning advertising and marketing
Use of the operating system and trademarks of one of the world's best-known brands
Strong supply chain network of partners who ensure our restaurants are provided the highest-quality products for our menu

Personal satisfaction and a flexible career:

Many of our franchisees talk about the satisfaction that comes from being a local business leader, working with other people, mentoring crew and being a genuine part of the local community. Many franchisees take this next career step with their families and enjoy the flexibility that comes from running your own business

Contribute ideas:

We welcome contributions and an open exchange of ideas between the company and our franchisees. The Big Mac®, Filet-O-Fish® and Bacon & Egg McMuffin® have all been developed from ideas generated by franchisees around the world.

Grow your career:

The personal growth and business knowledge you'll develop from our extensive training and your experience as a franchisee is invaluable. Enjoy personal and professional growth and satisfaction, both as an individual owner operator and as a member of McDonald's respected global organisation.

Meet some of our franchisees.

In Australia, our franchisee community includes more than 200 local businessmen and women from a range of professional backgrounds, all with the same shared commitment to running great restaurants, developing people, and giving back to the community.

Many have been with the business for decades and have put in the hard work to build incredible, financially lucrative careers.

Jonathan Pitt, Franchisee, QLD

"I am very proud to be associated with the McDonald's brand. Over the years McDonald's has proved itself to be dynamic and innovative - able to adapt well to changing markets and capitalise on opportunities.

"Although there are many different restaurants with different owners there is a strong common bond that exists. The sharing of ideas and constant drive on improvement and innovation is a positive and rewarding environment to work in.

"The year's training was a huge test of commitment and coming out the other side was very satisfying. I am very happy with the decision I made those years ago and continue to learn and grow every day."

Jenny Koscak-Sadler, Franchisee, VIC

“People is at the heart of what we do and are the core pillar of my business. I am very proud of the fact that I have helped several people to take on corporate roles.”

“Watching someone start at McDonald’s as their first job, and then watching them learn and build successful careers by leveraging the training and skills they developed leading others effectively makes me very proud of the work that I do”

Hayden Smith, Franchisee, NSW

"I've loved the McDonald's Brand for 30 years and vividly remember going to Gosford McDonald's before Carols each Christmas Eve, or Coolangatta McDonald's each holidays. I had wanted to become a Franchisee for many years and worked hard to attain it.

"I feel a constant sense of pride and honour to be a McDonald's Australia franchisee. It is a challenging and highly rewarding business with high barriers to entry, ensuring that the business is filled with individuals of the highest calibre.

"As one of Australia's largest employers, we play an incredibly important role in many people's lives and this is a responsibility I take very seriously at all times.

Nicole Carmichael, Franchisee, NSW

"My history is very different to a lot of franchisees in that I became a franchisee with no McDonald's' experience, however vast business and corporate experience.

My dream was always to own my own McDonald's franchise, so I used my past experience to make that a reality in 2015, starting at the Cooma restaurant in NSW.

The benefit of being part of a strong franchise community is that the model works, so if you're in, be all in and grow and flourish with the brand."

Emma Burgess, Franchisee, SA

"Being a McDonald's Franchisee is not just a job, it's a lifestyle and a privilege. McDonald's is a people business, which provides us with the unique opportunity to work with people from all over the world, various demographics and experiences.

"My background is in Marketing and Human Resources. I have always had great passion for people and working in teams. Prior to McDonald's, I worked in a variety of roles and industries, this provided me with a range of skills that I utilise on a daily basis when leading and developing my team and business."

Apply today

Our selection process is thorough, and deliberately so. Being a McDonald's licensee is not just about selling burgers. It's about running a successful business, developing and supporting employees (many of whom are young people), creating a high-performance culture and contributing to the local community and economy.

Throughout the application process, we will review your prior experience and share more details about what it takes to be a successful McDonald's franchisee so that together, we can determine if this is the right opportunity for candidates, and McDonald's.

Acquiring a McDonald's franchise is a substantial investment and during the application process we will review the level of investment necessary to purchase a restaurant based on numerous factors.

We require our franchisees to devote full time and best efforts to operating the business, including exhibiting personal management, financial management, fiscal responsibility to reinvest, and leadership in the restaurant business.

Most new franchisees enter the McDonald's system through the purchase of an existing restaurant from either one of our franchisees or McDonald's Australia. The purchase price of an existing restaurant varies and is dependent upon several factors, including, but not limited to, sales volume, profitability, occupancy costs, reinvestment or improvement needs, and location. These factors also determine the investment and equity level necessary.

The opportunity to enter the Franchisee Training Program is based on your ability to:

Invest without partnerships or investors.
Devote full-time and best efforts to the business, including exhibiting personal management and leadership in the restaurant business.
Commit to an extensive training program that includes your ability to participate in a number of different parts of the day and days a week depending on restaurant operating hours. Open to relocate based on availability of restaurants.
Embrace our values, future vision and investment strategies to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's customers

Interested? Take the first step

If you are ready to explore the opportunity to use your skills, knowledge, and experience to own and operate your own business, we want to get to know more about you and your aspirations.

Click here to start your application process.

Read our 2025 Franchising booklet here.