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COUSINS SUBS

COUSINS SUBS

Cousins Subs franchises operate restaurants specializing in made-to-order submarine sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, and related food products and beverages for on-premises and off-premises consumption under the 'Cousins Subs' name. The franchisor offers individual franchises and multi-unit development rights using a uniform business system with specific marks, equipment, and procedures. They target the general public competing with other fast-food sandwich shops and quick-service restaurants.

34locations
$436K–$1052K
Since 1979
Food & BeverageMenomonee Falls, WIwww.cousinsfranchise.comDisclaimer

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Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$25,000
Initial Investment
$436,200 – $1,051,500
Royalty Rate
6.00%
Brand Fund
2.00%
Fixed Monthly Fees
$500 – $1,000

6% royalty + 2% ad fund + $300-$800/mo technology fund + $200/mo renovation fund

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Average Gross Revenue
$825,102.12
Median Gross Revenue
$789,929.52
EBITDA Margin
8%
Top Quartile Revenue
$1,201,322
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$548,278
Average Net Profit
$78,268.55
Average Gross Profit
$711,227.73
Average EBITDA
$78,268.55

Data Based On: 33 franchised traditional and non-traditional shops open for the full fiscal year 2025 were used for revenue data. 56 affiliate-owned shops open for the full fiscal year 2025 were used as a proxy for expense and profit data due to the lack of specific franchised profit data, per Note 8 of Part 2 which states that 'Franchise Fees' for these shops represent fees that would have been payable if they were franchised shops.

* Average gross revenue calculated as a weighted average of 29 franchised traditional shops (10 high, 10 middle, 9 low categories) and 4 franchised non-traditional shops for 2025: (10*$1,201,322 + 10*$814,982 + 9*$548,278 + 4*$532,707) / 33 units = $825,102.12. Median gross revenue calculated as a weighted average of the system-wide median for traditional shops ($831,786) and the median for non-traditional shops ($486,470): (29*$831,786 + 4*$486,470) / 33 units = $789,929.52. Revenue top and bottom quartiles are based on the average gross receipts of the 'High' and 'Low' categories respectively from the Franchised Traditional Shops data for 2025. Profit metrics (average_gross_profit, average_net_profit, average_ebitda, ebitda_margin_pct, best_guess_profit_low, best_guess_profit_high) are derived from the 'AVERAGE ANNUAL REVENUE, EXPENSES, AND EBITDA OF AFFILIATE-OWNED SHOPS' for 2025 (Part 2). This is used as a proxy due to the absence of explicit profit and expense data for franchised units, as supported by Note 8 to Part 2 which states that 'Franchise Fees' for these shops reflect amounts that would have been payable if they were franchised. Weighted averages for revenue, COGS, operating expenses, and EBITDA were calculated across three revenue categories (10, 25, and 21 shops, totaling 56 units). Average gross profit is weighted average revenue less weighted average COGS. Average net profit is equivalent to average EBITDA for this data as stated EBITDA is Revenue - COGS - Operating Expenses. EBITDA margin is average EBITDA divided by average revenue for affiliate-owned shops. Best guess profit low/high are the average EBITDA values of the lowest and highest revenue segments of the affiliate-owned shops, respectively.

Extracted Item 19 Section

Avg. Revenue: $825,102

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COUSINS SUBS Franchise Analysis

With roots stretching back to 1979, Cousins Subs has a lengthy franchising history, yet its trajectory raises eyebrows—franchise locations dipped from 36 to 34 over the past year. Item 19 disclosures paint a picture of revenue performance across its limited franchise base, while SBA lending data hints at financing realities for operators. What does this contraction signal for new investors eyeing a slice of the sub sandwich market?

Diving into the FDD, Item 7 outlines initial investments from $436,200 to $1,051,500, including a $25,000 franchise fee, driven by build-out and equipment for made-to-order subs and salads. Ongoing fees stack up with 6% royalties, 2% brand/ad fund, plus $300-$800 monthly technology fees and $200 monthly renovation fund—potentially squeezing margins further. Item 19 reveals average gross revenue of $825,102 and median $789,930 across units, but EBITDA margin sits at 0%, with estimated profits swinging wildly from -$56,179 to $170,399, underscoring high variability and risk of losses for underperformers.

System health metrics flash warnings: only 34 franchise locations versus 58 corporate-owned, signaling limited franchisee expansion amid -6% growth, 2 terminations, 5 transfers, and just 2 projected new units. SBA data is brighter with 33 loans averaging $184,539 and a low 3% default rate, suggesting viable financing without excessive risk. For investors, this paints a mature brand with solid top-line potential but contraction, fee burdens, and profit inconsistency—best suited for experienced multi-unit operators comfortable with corporate dominance and regional focus in the Midwest.

Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.

How COUSINS SUBS Compares

FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
COUSINS SUBS
Current
$436K – $1.1M$25K6.0%34
MCDONALD'S$1.5M – $2.6M$45KN/A12,772
AFC$45K – $151K$6K9.5%3,572
KFC (NON-TRADITIONAL)$1.2M – $4.2M$45KN/A3,404
SONIC DRIVE-IN$1.5M – $2.5M$15K5.0%3,120
CHICK-FIL-A License Program$586K – $3.4MN/A10.0%2,795
Fast Food Average
131 franchises
$614K – $1.6M$35K6.2%

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 131 Fast Food franchises by location count.

Locations & Growth


Outlet Growth Over Time

Total outlets at end of each year

Geographic Distribution (2025)

Outlets by state across the United States

Top States
1WI
34
2IL
0
3IN
0

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SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for COUSINS SUBS franchisees (20122021)

Total Loans
33
Average Loan
$184,539
Total Volume
$6.1M
Default Rate
3.0%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

33 SBA loans on record

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Franchisee Contacts

34 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

34 Contacts Available

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Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases0
No litigation involving franchisees reported

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo
No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
2
Non-Renewals
0
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
0
Transfers
5
Sold to Franchisees
0
Projected New
2

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Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a COUSINS SUBS franchise ranges from $436,200 to $1,051,500. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.