FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for BURGER KING using its latest 2026 FDD coverage.
Based on 2026 FDD · 9 filings in corpus · Latest FDD: 2026
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a BURGER KING franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $348K – $4.7M. Reported owner economics show $63K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $50K franchise fee · 9% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
10-brand free summary pilot · report unlocked
Use this as a source-document screening summary: FDD investment range, royalty/ad burden, Item 19 economics, SBA repayment outcomes, unit movement, and comparable-brand context. Treat missing or low-confidence fields as diligence flags — not as blanks to ignore.
BURGER KING requires a total initial investment of $348K to $4.7M (midpoint approximately $2.5M), with an initial franchise fee of $50K. The ongoing fee burden is 9% (4.5% royalty plus 4.5% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2026 FDD, the median revenue for BURGER KING locations is $1.6M. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $63K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 2.5% with a payback period of approximately 40.0 years.
BURGER KING operates approximately 6,640 franchised units. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 3.3% is in line with industry norms of approximately 9.4%.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2026 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2010-2026). 133 loans across 22 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Common questions buyers ask about BURGER KING, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a BURGER KING franchise ranges from $348K to $4.7M, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
BURGER KING charges a 4.5% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for BURGER KING is $50,000.
There are approximately 6,640 BURGER KING franchise locations as of 2023.
The median revenue for a BURGER KING franchise is $1.6M, with a cash-on-cash return of 2.5%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
BURGER KING has an SBA loan default rate of 3.3% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.
Whether a BURGER KING franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
BURGER KING franchise costs $348,400-$4.7M to open with a $50,000 franchise fee. 4% royalties.
Smoothie King franchise costs $346,350-$1.3M to open with a $30,000 franchise fee. 6% royalties.
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