Qdoba
Qdoba franchises operate high-quality, Mexican-themed quick-service or fast-casual restaurants where guests customize burritos, bowls, tacos, salads, quesadillas, nachos, chips, dips like queso and guacamole, and drinks using fresh, in-house prepared ingredients. The business model grants franchises or development rights to use Qdoba's trademarks, proprietary system, operational standards, manuals, training, and marketing programs for operating restaurants in approved locations, primarily strip centers or freestanding buildings. Target market includes urban and suburban consumers seeking value-priced, personalized Mexican meals, competing with other fast-casual and quick-service chains.
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 + 4.5% marketing fee + $800-$1,900/mo technology/support fees (IT base, IT support, LMS, Q-Cash)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 397 franchised restaurants reporting financial information for a trailing twelve-month period (used for P&L data and EBITDA), with additional revenue quartile data from 464 franchised restaurants (used for median and quartile revenues).
* Average gross profit calculated as Average Net Restaurant Sales ($1,661,277) minus Average Cost of Sales ($458,997). EBITDA margin calculated as Average Proforma Franchisee EBITDA ($254,430) divided by Average Net Restaurant Sales ($1,661,277). Revenue quartiles are derived from Chart 2 ('Franchised Restaurant Quartiles') based on 464 units. All other financial metrics (Average Gross Revenue, Average Gross Profit, Average EBITDA, and estimated profit range) are based on Chart 3 ('Historical Average Sales, Selected Costs and Operating Results') for 397 franchised restaurants.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Qdoba Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Qdoba Current | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| CHICK-FIL-A License Program | $586K - $3.3M | N/A | 10.0% | 412 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Qdoba franchisees (2010 - 2025)
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)
Two cases: one involving a franchisee's claims of wrongful termination, breach of contract, and fraud (settled 2023); the other by former franchisees alleging breach and wrongful termination (settled post-discovery).
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 Qdoba franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Qdoba franchise ranges from $548,100 to $1,294,000. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a Qdoba franchise make?
According to the 2026 FDD, the average gross revenue for a Qdoba franchise is $1,661,277. The median revenue is $1,596,761.
How much profit can you make with a Qdoba franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a Qdoba franchise ranges from $-214,733 to $1,054,733 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many Qdoba franchise locations are there?
As of the 2026 FDD, Qdoba has 652 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1997.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Qdoba franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Qdoba franchises. Historical data shows 38 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Qdoba franchisees, with an average loan amount of $598,779. The historical default rate is 2.6%.
Is Qdoba a good franchise to buy?
Qdoba shows several positive indicators: established brand with 652+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Qdoba?
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