BAJA FRESH
BF Acquisition Holdings, LLC, dba Baja Fresh, offers franchises for quick-service restaurants specializing in fresh, high-quality Mexican-style food products, soft drinks, and related items under the Baja Fresh brand. The business model includes traditional restaurants (1,800-3,000 sq ft) and non-traditional units (800-1,200 sq ft) in captive market locations such as airports, stadiums, hotels, and universities, with licensees operating under standardized systems for food preparation, operations, and marketing. It targets the general public, including children and adults, providing fast dine-in and take-out services.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty (+ up to $10/wk surcharge in certain states) + 3% ad fund (up to 4%) + $55/mo POS support + up to $75/mo data fees
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How BAJA FRESH Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BAJA FRESH Current | $429K - $1.0M | $30K | 5.0% | 67 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+9 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for BAJA FRESH franchisees (2010 - 2020)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily allegations of misrepresentation, fraud, violations of state franchise laws (e.g., FIPA, WFIPA), breach of contract, unpaid royalties and fees, termination disputes, and post-termination non-compliance.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a BAJA FRESH franchise?
The total initial investment to open a BAJA FRESH franchise ranges from $428,560 to $1,012,290. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How many BAJA FRESH franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, BAJA FRESH has 67 franchise locations.
Can you get an SBA loan for a BAJA FRESH franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for BAJA FRESH franchises. Historical data shows 38 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for BAJA FRESH franchisees, with an average loan amount of $610,145. The historical default rate is 15.8%.
Is BAJA FRESH a good franchise to buy?
Whether BAJA FRESH is a good franchise investment depends on your personal goals, available capital, and local market conditions. We recommend reviewing the full FDD, speaking with existing franchisees listed in Item 20, and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in BAJA FRESH?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if BAJA FRESH is the right fit for you.
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