How much does it cost to open a fast casual restaurant franchise?
The average initial investment for fast casual restaurant franchises ranges from $532K to $1.2M. The average franchise fee is $38K. Investment requirements vary significantly by brand, location, and format.
What are the largest fast casual restaurant franchise brands?
The largest fast casual restaurant franchises by location count include: TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ (1,371 locations), Tropical Smoothie Cafe (1,371 locations), FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) (1,248 locations), Zaxby's (826 locations), Qdoba (652 locations). These established brands offer proven systems and widespread brand recognition.
What are the most affordable fast casual restaurant franchises?
The most affordable fast casual restaurant franchises include: Ace Sushi (Non-Traditional) (from $18K), Milio's (from $108K), Frank & Furter's (Regional Developer) (from $111K), Roni's Mac Bar (from $124K), EggFlip (from $140K). Lower investment franchises may have smaller territories, home-based models, or mobile concepts.
How do I evaluate a fast casual restaurant franchise opportunity?
When evaluating fast casual restaurant 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.