You discount the numbers, but without providing a basis regarding McDonalds, as opposed to Chik-fil-A.
I cannot say whether the numbers are right or wrong, but to proclaim them wrong, one needs to have evidence.
Sigh...
Simple math tells you that no businessman worth a damn will tie up 1-2MM of capital for. 10% annual return. There are so many easier ways to make 150k rather than tie up that much cash and manage a few dozen high school kids it wouldn’t be worth it.
The fact you seem oblivious to this obvious math concerns me. A manager at a relatively competent bar or restaurant can earn 100 to 150k a year, to think someone would tie up 1MM to 2MM of capital do such a little return as 150k a year. You can make those kinds of returns on that kind of money going far less risky and more passive things than owning a franchise.
But you want evidence, typical McD franchise makes betwee 500k and 1Mm per year.
http://www.ask.com/business-finance/mcdonald-s-franchise-s-profit-8f7327118fa3c180