A McDonald’s franchise agreement may be the gold standard in franchise opportunities because the chances for making big money are so great.

For a franchise opportunity, the McDonald’s franchise agreement is one that dominates the fast food landscape. So the idea of getting a McDonald’s franchise agreement and becoming part of one of the most successful chains in the world is appealing to say the least.

Even if you are not out to land your own McDonald’s to own and manage, the McDonald’s franchise agreement is a model that sets the standard for all of the franchising industry.  With thousands of successful franchises, the McDonald’s operating manual is one that is well thought out with contents to cover every possible franchise issue that has come up in the operation of such huge franchise network.

Part of the appeal of winning a McDonald’s franchise agreement is the knock-your-socks-off name recognition of the McDonalds brand.  That means that once you open your own McDonalds will inherit an amazing customer base that will flood your fast food store from the minute you open the doors on the first day.  The profits that a very busy McDonalds can generate are nothing short of astounding. Any small business person who is temped about that kind of big money operation would look at the possibility of owning a McDonald’s franchise agreement as a dream come true.

It pays to consider the investment before jumping into a McDonald’s franchise agreement.

With any business opportunity, there are costs that balance out the big time profits to be had. That is certainly true of a McDonalds franchise agreement.  A franchise agreement with McDonalds is going to come with a pretty hefty price tag.  The costs of buying any franchise is going to based on the existing success and appeal of the franchise chain. And since McDonalds is one of the most successful franchise chains of all time, the costs of getting into a McDonalds franchise agreement and then starting up operations is going to be out of this world compared to many other smaller franchises for sell on the market.

The work of running a fast food chain and living up to your McDonald’s franchise agreement are demanding. Most franchise owners and managers find themselves working virtually day in and day out to maintain those standards not only to satisfy the franchisee but to keep the customers rolling in. McDonald’s customers are notoriously spoiled by clean restaurants, McDonalds that are consistently stocked and ready to serve those familiar menu items hot and tasting exactly the way they expect them to taste no matter which McDonalds franchise they are in.

That is a high standard to hit.  In addition, because it takes such an army of low cost workers to keep a McDonalds running like a top around the clock, to staff a McDonalds is going to mean high turn over and some serious management challenges.  These are some of the issues that any small business owner who is the proud holder of a McDonalds franchise agreement will have as part of his life every week.

None of these issues should be s show stopper from keeping you from being the owner of a McDonalds franchise agreement. But as is true of any big business move, knowing what you are getting yourself into is the first big step on that road to success and wealth owning your own McDonalds franchise.