NATHAN'S FAMOUS
Nathan's Famous Systems, Inc. franchises fast-service restaurants under the 'Nathan's Famous' brand, featuring proprietary hot dogs with a unique spice formula, crinkle-cut french fries, hamburgers, sandwiches, platters, and other quick-service menu items. Restaurants operate in various formats including traditional free-standing buildings, in-line units, food courts, kiosks, and mobile units, often with options for co-branding such as Arthur Treacher's. The business model centers on granting franchise and area development agreements to operators targeting consumers seeking affordable, quick hot dog and fast-food options in diverse locations like malls, stadiums, and urban areas.
Franchise Costs
5.5% royalty + 2.5% ad fund
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 NATHAN'S FAMOUS Compares
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NATHAN'S FAMOUS Current | $554K – $2.0M | $30K | 5.5% | 71 |
| 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 |
| ARBY'S | $645K – $2.5M | $38K | 4.0% | 2,316 |
Fast Food Average 126 franchises | $594K – $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 126 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
+3 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for NATHAN'S FAMOUS franchisees (2010 – 2024)
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.
Franchisee Contacts
191 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
| Name | SBA Loan |
|---|---|
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
191 Contacts Available
Unlock all NATHAN'S FAMOUS franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a NATHAN'S FAMOUS franchise ranges from $554,350 to $2,032,610. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.5% of gross sales.
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