McDonald's vs The Counter Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of McDonald's vs The Counter including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
McDonald's Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Investment $1,314,500 - $2,306,500$711,133 - $1,939,750
Franchise Fee $45,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 4%+2%
Year Founded 19552003
Year Franchised 19552005
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee $45K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
McDonald's Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    McDonald's Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    McDonald's Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 500 hours Classroom Training: 72 hours Additional Training: At local McDonald's restaurant On-The-Job Training: 964 hours Classroom Training: 164 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Newsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 82% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Expansion Plans
     
    McDonald's Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About McDonald's

    Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman, ventured to California in 1954 to visit McDonald's hamburger stand, where he heard they were running eight mixers at once. Kroc was impressed by how rapidly customers were served and, seeing an opportunity to sell many more milkshake machines, encouraged brothers Dick and Mac McDonald to open a chain of their restaurants. Kroc became their business partner and opened the first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
    McDonald's brand is in 122 countries around the world. Thirty thousand locations serve 51 million customers each day. More than 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent local business people. Most standalone McDonald's restaurants offer both counter and drive-through service, with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating. The Drive-Thru, Auto-Mac, or McDrive as it is known in many countries, often has separate stations for placing, paying for, and picking up orders, though the former two steps are frequently combined. In some countries "McDrive" locations near highways offer no counter service or seating. In contrast, locations in high-density city neighborhoods often omit drive-through service.


    "Top   ""  "Entrepreneur

      "franchiserankingscom"                                                                                                                         
    #7 on Franchise Rankings.com                                                                                                                                                            
    #3 in Canada's top franchises.
    #3 in Franchise 500 for 2020
    #11 in Franchise 500 for 2021










    About The Counter

    Our premium build-your-own burger experience offers over 312,000+ combinations, a modern industrial design and unique beers and wines. gourmet hamburger franchise franchising Featured in GQ magazine as "One of the 20 Hamburgers to eat before you die" and "Best Burger" on OPRAH, we are awarding area development agreements throughout the USA to multi-unit operators that qualify. We have more than 75+ stores currently in development throughout the U.S. We're looking for franchisees that would only consider a Custom Built Life by investing in a spirited brand that reflects a part of who you are and what you believe in. Join our effort to own the premium gourmet burger segment and let's have a good time doing it.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of The Counter franchise ranges from $724,133 to $1,939,750 for a traditional restaurant franchise and between $711,133 to $1,924,750 for a non-traditional restaurant. This includes $38,000 to $47,500 for a traditional and $25,000 to $32,500 for a
    non-traditional restaurant that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
    Veteran Incentives 20% off franchise fee