Key Numbers
79
Total units open
3
Units opened last year
4
Units closed last year
-1
Net unit growth
Doc Popcorn Franchise
Franchised by Doc Popcorn Franchising, L.L.C. · FDD 2026
Food & Beverage FDD 2026 Founded 2014 · 12+ yrs No Item 19
Data extracted from Doc Popcorn Franchising, L.L.C.'s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$135K - $393K
Franchise fee
$15K
System size
79
Royalty
6%
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Doc Popcorn fits owner-operators looking for a mid-scale food & beverage concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Low entry fee: $15,000 (industry median: $35,000)
- ✓79 units — strong system scale
- ✓Strong unit retention (1.3% closure ratio)
⚠ Risks to review
- ⚠No Item 19 disclosure — buyers fly blind on revenue
- ⚠No exclusive territory — franchisor can open nearby
- ⚠Short 5-year initial term
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$135K - $393K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$15K
Royalty (Item 6)
6% + 1% ad
System size (Item 20)
79
Agreement term
5 yrs
Years in business
12+ yrs
Model Doc Popcorn's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Buyer qualifications
•No exclusive territory✓Semi-absentee eligible✓No bankruptcy disclosed
Data extracted from the 2026 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
What you'd pay the franchisor
Drag to your projected annual sales. Royalty 6% + ad fund 1% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$500,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (6%)
—
Ad fund (1%)
—
Total / year
—
▪ Of-sales fees only · excludes rent, labor, COGS, and one-time costs · for illustration
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What's inside
Franchise Overview
Costs & Fees Breakdown
Your Obligations
Franchisor Obligations
Financial Statements
Contracts Summary
Unit Economics
Network Health
Litigation Risk
Earnings Analysis
Financial Fit Analysis
Buyer Verdict
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Research, not legal advice. Use this report alongside professional legal and financial review before signing any franchise agreement.
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Competitive intelligence for franchisors →Executive Summary
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
AI Due Diligence Findings PREMIUM
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
5
Risks to review
4
Strengths identified
5
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Doc Popcorn ranks against 749 Food & Beverage peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
12th pct · of 749 peers
Franchise fee
4th pct · of 749 peers
System size
68th pct · of 749 peers
Food & Beverage industry averages
Avg investment
$589K - $1.4M
Avg franchise fee
$37K
Avg system size
261
Franchises analyzed
749
How Doc Popcorn stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doc Popcorn | None | $15K | $135K - $393K | 6% | 79 |
| Everbowl Similar price | Disclosed | $40K | $209K - $391K | 6% | 95 |
| Doctor's Associates Biggest system | None | $15K | $227K - $630K | 8% | 18,773 |
| Vintage Hospitality Group Top-rated in category | Disclosed | $50K | $3.5M - $6.4M | 5.5% | 33 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Doc Popcorn franchise cost?
Doc Popcorn requires a $15,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $135,000–$393,050, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Doc Popcorn?
Doc Popcorn is franchised by Doc Popcorn Franchising, L.L.C., the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the franchisor's corporate history, parents, and predecessors.
Does Doc Popcorn disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
No. Doc Popcorn does not include a financial performance representation in its FDD. Prospective buyers should rely on validation calls with existing franchisees and benchmark against industry medians.
What ongoing fees does Doc Popcorn charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 6% and an advertising fund contribution of 1% on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Doc Popcorn locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Doc Popcorn has 79 total locations. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Does Doc Popcorn grant exclusive territory?
No. Doc Popcorn does not grant exclusive territory rights under Item 12. The franchisor retains the right to operate or grant additional units inside or adjacent to your trade area.
What are the renewal and exit terms?
Per the FDD, Doc Popcorn discloses an initial agreement term of 5 years, a renewal fee of $2,500, a transfer fee of $7,500. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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