McDonald's vs Sonic
See which one brings in more, and what it costs to get there, read straight from the filings. Independent: no commissions, no franchisor revenue.
McDonald's lists an Item 7 opening range of $1,472,000 to $2,807,000, compared with $1,485,200 to $2,522,900 for Sonic. McDonald's reports an Item 19 average of $4,057,000 and median of $3,887,000; Sonic reports an average of $1,552,145 and median of $1,465,090, with McDonald's higher on average by 161%. McDonald's has the larger Item 20 system, 13,706 units versus 3,412 for Sonic; Sonic has fewer Item 3 actions, 4 versus 26 for McDonald's. Both averages sit above their medians, so model the median for your own location. Independent analysis, no commissions, no franchisor revenue.
One of These Numbers Decides Whether the Next Ten Years Work
Everything that decides it, side by side: cost to open, ongoing fees, what a location actually brings in, system size, and lawsuits on record, straight from each filing.
| Metric | McDonald's | Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to openFDD Item 7 | $1,472,000 to $2,807,000 | $1,485,200 to $2,522,900 |
| Total ongoing feesFDD Item 6 | Variable fee model | Variable fee model |
| Average unit revenueFDD Item 19 | $4,057,000 | $1,552,145 |
| Median unit revenueFDD Item 19 | $3,887,000 | $1,465,090 |
| System sizeFDD Item 20 | 13,706 | 3,412 |
| LitigationFDD Item 3 | 26 actions | 4 actions |
Item 19 reports historical gross revenue, not profit. It does not include your labor, rent, debt service, or owner pay.
Some Signals Are Real Strengths. Others Hinge on Your Deal
Five signals, scored the same way for both, so you see at a glance where a brand is a disclosed strength and where the number is only a starting point for your own deal.
| Signal | McDonald's | Sonic |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Structure(Item 6) | ||
| Unit Economics(Item 19) | ||
| Litigation History(Item 3) | ||
| Operator Validation(Item 20) | ||
| Term & Exit Terms(Item 17) |
The Numbers Don't Tell You Which One to Buy.
The Read Does
How the revenue and cost gaps net out on your own P&L, what the litigation record signals, and the questions to take into validation. That read is Zorzee Pro.
- The head-to-head read
- The payback math
- What the litigation record signals
- The diligence questions to take to validation
- The Zorzee Report Pro every Tuesday, one franchise decoded each week
- The full Signal Tracker across the portal
- 10% off the Zorzee Files: FDD guides, DCF templates, and more
An Investment, a Job, or a Lemon?
Which one you get comes down to the operator behind the brand, your market, and how you'd run it. Telling those apart takes someone who's read hundreds of them, before it's your money on the line.
Four months of research and more confused than when you started?
You've seen the filings and the numbers. What none of it tells you is whether this is a business that fits your money and your life. That is what fifteen minutes with a Zorzee-approved independent Franchise Consultant is for: whether this brand belongs on your shortlist, and what to validate before it does. Working with one costs you nothing and carries no obligation. Your franchise fee is the same whether you use one or not.
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Every Number Names Its Source
Every figure traces to the exact FDD item behind it, laid out in full in each brand's dossier. We can show you all of it because no franchisor pays us to hide any of it. Open either one and see for yourself.
Questions Buyers Ask About McDonald's vs Sonic
Short, sourced answers to what buyers actually search.
Does McDonald's or Sonic cost more to open?
McDonald's has the lower entry at $1,472,000 and Sonic the lower ceiling at $2,522,900. Item 7 ranges are $1,472,000 to $2,807,000 for McDonald's and $1,485,200 to $2,522,900 for Sonic.
Which makes more money, McDonald's or Sonic?
McDonald's reports higher revenue, an Item 19 average of $4,057,000 versus $1,552,145 for Sonic. Item 19 is gross sales, not profit.
Which has more litigation, McDonald's or Sonic?
McDonald's discloses more, 26 Item 3 actions versus 4 for Sonic.
Which is bigger, McDonald's or Sonic?
McDonald's is larger, 13,706 Item 20 units versus 3,412 for Sonic.
Which is the better franchise, McDonald's or Sonic?
Zorzee doesn't rate franchises good or bad; it depends on your capital, your market, and how you'd run it. McDonald's has the lower entry cost, and McDonald's reports the higher Item 19 average.
Ever Wondered Which One's Actually Better?
The filings can't tell you. Neither can 10 more comparisons. "Better" comes down to your money, your market, and how you'd run it, which is exactly what the clarity call is for. Or keep exploring the matchups below.
More Burger Matchups
The favorite on paper isn't always the one to own. See how the rest of the field really stacks up.
Independent analysis, no commissions, no franchisor revenue.