McDonald’s franchise in Spain: investment, own funds and training

Published investment for Spain

McDonald’s Spanish franchise page lists initial investment between €950,000 and €1,050,000, with €350,000 required from the candidate’s own funds. It says McDonald’s provides the premises and undertakes the property and construction investment. These public statements were checked on 5 November 2026.

The same page describes geographic flexibility across Spain, approximately twelve months of unpaid training and exclusive dedication to the restaurant. The figures belong to the Spanish offer. They should not be mixed with US financial thresholds or fee schedules taken from another national McDonald’s website.

Understand the division of investment

The statement about premises and construction is an important starting point, but it is not a complete transaction budget. Ask for a written explanation of which assets and costs fall to the candidate and which fall to McDonald’s in the proposed restaurant. Identify the relevant payments and when they are due.

Keep initial investment, own funds and ongoing obligations in separate columns. Ask how financing would work for the actual project rather than assuming the difference between the published figures is automatically financeable. A lender’s approval and a franchisor’s candidate approval answer different questions. Neither should be treated as a substitute for reviewing the business.

Plan for training and location flexibility

A year of unpaid training can be a substantial personal commitment before a restaurant begins producing income for its operator. Prepare a household budget covering living costs, travel and any other commitments during that period. Ask the franchise team for the schedule applicable to you before making decisions about existing employment.

Geographic flexibility also affects the investment decision. Consider which places you could realistically move to, who else would be affected and what a move would cost. Describe any restrictions early. A preferred city on a map should not be treated as an available restaurant opportunity until the company confirms that opportunity directly.

Review the economics of a specific restaurant

When discussing a potential restaurant, ask for the information needed to understand its trading assumptions and expected expenses. Property-related arrangements, staffing, equipment, supply obligations and financing can influence the cash left after operating costs. Evaluate those items from the actual proposal rather than from a generic international checklist of prices.

Build a conservative forecast alongside the base case. Include a delay before opening, lower sales and selected cost increases. Establish how much cash remains available after the initial transaction. The aim is to reveal which assumptions are most sensitive and where further evidence is needed, rather than to create a reassuring return number.

Questions that require direct confirmation

The reviewed public page does not resolve every contractual or applicant-eligibility question. Ask the Spanish franchise team about current candidate criteria, the legal structure of the relationship, ongoing charges, contract length, training arrangements and any documents needed for assessment. If applying from outside Spain, separately establish the residency, work and business requirements relevant to your circumstances.

Do not infer immigration eligibility from the existence of a franchise application form. Likewise, a current invitation for candidates does not promise approval or availability in a chosen town. Obtain written answers, record their date and have appropriate independent advisers review the transaction before making commitments.

Application route and editorial independence

Apply through McDonald’s official Spanish franchise page linked below. Use the current Spanish documents and ask for clarification if a third-party article quotes a different range. Historic figures, another country’s rules and a particular resale price can all be accurate in their own context while being unsuitable for your proposed investment.

FranchinWorld is an independent editorial website and is not McDonald’s or a representative authorised to offer its franchises. We have not assessed an individual restaurant for sale and do not promise earnings or a payback period. Use this guide as an organised starting point, then replace general figures with evidence specific to the opportunity being considered.

Keep researching

More franchise research for Spain · Build a complete budget · Questions to ask the franchisor