Make your mark as a McDonald's Franchisee
Franchising Training Program
- Admission and participation in the Franchise Training Program is not a guarantee of qualification or approval to become a McDonald’s Owner/Operator.
- Successful completion of the program requires demonstrated proficiency in all required competencies and consistent alignment with McDonald’s operational and leadership standards and is at McDonald’s sole and absolute discretion.
- Progression through the training curriculum and eligibility to purchase a restaurant are based on performance across field learning modules, feedback from training stakeholders, and a successful outcome in the Qualified to Buy interview.
- McDonald’s retains sole and absolute discretion in determining a candidate’s readiness to advance at any stage of the process.
- Enrollment in the program does not imply automatic advancement. Time spent in training alone is not indicative of qualification or entitlement to franchise ownership.
At McDonald’s, we invest heavily in preparing our future Owner/Operators for success. Our comprehensive training program offers two scheduling options:
Training Options
- Full-Time Training
- Minimum 35+ hours per week
- Typically completed in 6 months
- Part-Time Training
- Minimum 20 hours per week
Typically completed in 10–12 months
What to Expect
- Early Stages: Training a couple of evenings and one weekend day works well while learning restaurant operations.
- Later Stages: As you progress, you’ll need more flexibility to attend daytime events such as business unit meetings or benchmarking sessions. Limited flexibility may delay your training.
Commitment & Start Date
- After passing your panel interview, you’ll receive a Training Commitment Letter outlining program details and requesting your available start date.
- Candidates must be available to begin training within 6 months of signing their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Exceptions are evaluated case by case.
- McDonald’s will assign your training restaurant—typically within 45 minutes of your home, and most likely not your neighborhood location.
Important Considerations
- In some geographies, many candidates begin training around the same time. When this happens, the number of available training restaurants and certified training Operators in that region can be limited. As a result, additional candidates from those areas may experience a delay in starting their training beyond their preferred start date. In such cases, the requirement to begin training within a 6-month period of signing the FDD may be modified by McDonald’s.
- Candidates are responsible for costs related to training, including:
- Mileage and gas for travel to your training restaurant
- Class registration and travel expenses
Required Classes
- Field Office Classes
- One 1-day class either virtual or in-person
- One 3-day class in-person (may require travel within the Field Office)
- McDonald’s Headquarters (Chicago)
- Two classes, each 4 consecutive days
2. Complete the application process
Let’s get to know each other! We're excited to learn what makes you the perfect fit for a McDonald’s franchise opportunity. The process starts with filling out the application and, upon approval, is followed by two rounds of interviews.
3. Start training
If you’re accepted into our candidate program, it’s time to start training. Our world-class program combines 6–12 months of practical and classroom experience to help you learn the skills to run a McDonald’s restaurant business. Don’t worry, we work around your availability and give you enough notice before you begin.
4. Review franchise opportunity
After successful completion of the training program, McDonald’s, in its sole and absolute discretion, will inform a candidate of available McDonald’s franchise opportunities for purchase. Depending on the availability of suitable restaurants, there may be a delay between the completion of training and the identification of a franchise opportunity.
5. Complete restaurant purchase
Upon completing your restaurant(s) purchase, you will become a McDonald's Franchisee and will be responsible for running the day-to-day operation of your business.
McDonald’s USA, LLC, 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, Illinois 60607. Minnesota File No. 10. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. U.S. residents: Please note that the states of California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin regulate the offer and sale of franchises. If you are a resident of one of these states, or seeking a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have qualified for an exemption, or have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. New York residents: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law.
