How Much Money Domino's Franchise Owners Really Make Each Year

Owning one or more franchised locations of a popular restaurant chain can lead to huge profits for savvy entrepreneurs. And best of all, the parent company provides support, training, and advertising, which don't guarantee success but increase the likelihood of it. For example, the average McDonald's store does about $3.5 million in gross sales annually. After all of the operating costs like employees, food, and the franchise royalties themselves, McDonald's franchisees can expect to take home between $70,000 and $142,000 annually each year, per Glassdoor. 

But what if your passion is pizza instead of burgers? One of the largest names in the pizza industry is Michigan-based Domino's, which was founded in 1960 as DomiNick's. The pizza juggernaut may not have invented the franchise model, but it was definitely an early adopter of the process, which allowed entrepreneurs to open their own Domino's stores. By 1978, Domino's had over 200 locations, and by 1989, that number exploded to 5,000 pizzerias.

Given Domino's long-standing history in the franchising model, one might assume that buying a slice of this pizza business could pay off handsomely, and indeed, it does. According to Glassdoor, Domino's franchise owners earn between $69,000 and $126,000 annually. That said, potential franchisees should know that the initial investment can be substantial.

Besides a monetary investment, Domino's also prefers that franchise-holders acclimate themselves with the business by first working at a store. "In order to become a franchisee in the U.S., you must have at least one year of experience working as a Domino's general manager or supervisor," says the company's website. The good news is that you don't need to start at the top. A full 95% of current U.S. franchise owners started their journeys as pizza makers or delivery drivers.

Once the work experience hurdle is cleared, interested parties must pay Dominos a $25,000 franchise fee, which is valid for a period of ten years. While that initial fee may seem modest, the company collects a 5.5% royalty on sales and an additional 3% to 4% towards advertising expenses. In addition to the franchise fee, the entrepreneur will also be responsible for furnishing equipment, leasing business space, insurance, and other incidentals. In total, potential Domino's owners should expect to spend between $120,000 and $460,000 to get their new venture up and running.

Additionally, Domino's wants to make sure that its franchisees are fiscally solvent and able to weather fluctuations in the success of the business. Prospective owners must prove that they have at least $75,000 in liquid assets on hand. 

While income between $69,000 and $126,000 each year for being your own boss is impressive on its own, Domino's franchisees enjoy other benefits as well. These include health insurance, a 401(k) retirement account, and, of course, discounts on food for your family and friends. Once upon a time, that food discount would have consisted of pizza only, but Domino's has expanded over the years to include salads, pasta, desserts, and the most expensive item on Domino's menu: chicken wings.

Finally, over half of all Domino's franchise owners have more than one location, so the potential for earnings is multiplied by the number of stores in the franchisee's pizza empire. However, owners of multiple franchise locations are still expected to be "hands-on," so no absentee ownership.

Even with the extensive training and brand support backing Domino's franchisees, some nonetheless fail. For example, one California-based franchise owner of multiple stores filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, not to mention more than 200 locations recently shuttered in Japan. Still, the potential for a six-figure income at a time when the job market is softening is a tempting proposition.