Quick answer
It depends on who owns your restaurant. About 95% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned and run by independent franchisees, and each franchisee decides what benefits to offer. McDonald’s makes a health and welfare plan available that franchisees can adopt, and under that plan employees must average 30 hours a week to be eligible for medical coverage. Ask your manager or HR what your restaurant offers.
Key takeaways
- About 95% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned by independent franchisees, who set their own benefits.
- McDonald’s offers a health and welfare plan that franchisees can adopt. It requires an average of 30 hours a week for medical coverage.
- That plan includes four medical options, plus dental, vision, life and disability coverage.
- Employers with 50 or more full-time employees, counting part-timers’ hours, must offer affordable coverage to full-time workers or risk a federal penalty.
- If your restaurant doesn’t offer coverage, you may qualify for a Marketplace tax credit or Medicaid.
Franchise vs. company-owned restaurants
Most McDonald’s workers are employed by a franchisee, a local business owner who may run one restaurant or dozens. Franchisees choose their own benefits, so two McDonald’s in the same town can offer different coverage. Restaurants owned by McDonald’s itself set their own benefits too. Your manager or HR contact can tell you what’s available and when you qualify.
Larger franchisees are covered by the ACA’s employer rule. An employer with an average of at least 50 full-time employees, including full-time equivalents, must offer affordable coverage that meets minimum value to full-time employees working 30 or more hours a week, or pay a penalty if a full-time employee gets a Marketplace tax credit.
The McDonald’s licensee health plan
McDonald’s sponsors a health and welfare plan that franchisees and Ronald McDonald House organizations can offer their employees. According to its 2027 rate sheets, it includes:
| Benefit | Options |
|---|---|
| Medical | Four plans, from basic to more comprehensive; employees must average 30 hours a week to be eligible |
| Dental | Comprehensive and preventive plans |
| Vision | Available |
| Other | Life insurance, short- and long-term disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal services and identity theft protection |
When you compare the medical options, look at the network and what you’d pay out of network; see PPO health plans, what to do about out-of-network costs, types of health insurance coverage and how to decide what level of coverage you need.
For dental and vision, see dental coverage, wisdom teeth removal, braces, vision coverage, eye exams and LASIK.
If your restaurant doesn’t offer coverage
- Buy a Marketplace plan. If you’re not offered affordable job-based coverage, you may qualify for a premium tax credit.
- Check Medicaid if your income is low; see health insurance for low-income families.
- Stay on a parent’s plan until 26; see how long you can stay on your parents’ health insurance.
Job-based coverage vs. the Marketplace
If you’re offered coverage that’s affordable and meets minimum value, you usually can’t get a premium tax credit. For 2026, coverage counts as affordable if your share of the premium for employee-only coverage is no more than 9.96% of your household income. See is it cheaper to get health insurance through your employer, can you drop your employer-sponsored health plan and can I get Marketplace coverage if my employer offers it.
No coverage at work? Compare plans by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Do McDonald’s employees get health insurance?
It depends on the franchisee or company that runs your restaurant and how many hours you work.
How many hours do you need to work at McDonald’s to get health insurance?
Under the McDonald’s licensee plan, you must average 30 hours a week for medical coverage. Other employers’ rules may differ.
Does McDonald’s offer dental and vision?
The licensee plan includes dental and vision options if your employer offers it.
What if my McDonald’s doesn’t offer insurance?
You can shop for a Marketplace plan, which may come with a tax credit, or apply for Medicaid if your income is low.
Sources
Employer benefits change often. This article is general information and isn’t affiliated with McDonald’s. Last reviewed September 2026.