How much does it cost to open a casual dining franchise?
The average initial investment for casual dining franchises ranges from $1.6M to $3.6M. The average franchise fee is $43K. Investment requirements vary significantly by brand, location, and format.
What are the largest casual dining franchise brands?
The largest casual dining franchises by location count include: IHOP & INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES (1,703 locations), DENNY'S (1,273 locations), BUFFALO WILD WINGS (538 locations), GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY (352 locations), GOLDEN CORRAL (348 locations). These established brands offer proven systems and widespread brand recognition.
What are the most affordable casual dining franchises?
The most affordable casual dining franchises include: Tabla Indian Cuisine (from $185K), COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER (from $266K), The Sports Bra (from $304K), Cascadia Pizza Co Franchising LLC (from $347K), WINGS ETC. (from $369K). Lower investment franchises may have smaller territories, home-based models, or mobile concepts.
How do I evaluate a casual dining franchise opportunity?
When evaluating casual dining franchises, review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) carefully. Key areas to examine include Item 5 (fees), Item 7 (initial investment), Item 19 (financial performance), and Item 20 (outlet data). Our database provides this data extracted from official FDD filings to help you compare opportunities.